Influence of Survivors’ Entrapment Factors and Traffickers’ Characteristics on Perceptions of Interpersonal Social Power During Exit

Abstract

Typically examined in terms of understanding vulnerabilities to and the scope of human trafficking, not much is understood about interpersonal dynamics in human trafficking experiences. This article explores human trafficking victims’ (n = 31, female, international) perceptions of traffickers’ interpersonal social power during the exiting phase of the trafficking experience. Findings from this study revealed that entrapment factors and shared common characteristics between victim and trafficker prior to trafficking influenced perceptions of interpersonal social power. Understanding victims’ perceptions of interpersonal social power is critical to developing trauma-informed targeted services for exiting assistance and aftercare services for this population.