Citation

Bonilla T, Mo CH. J. Public Policy 2019; 39(2): 201-234.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Cambridge University Press)

DOI

10.1017/S0143814X18000107

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Despite a near unanimous agreement that human trafficking is a morally reprehensible practice, there is confusion around what qualifies as human trafficking in the United States. Adopting a mixed-method strategy, we examine how human trafficking is defined by the public; how contemporary (mis)understanding of human trafficking developed; and the public opinion consequence of this (mis)understanding. The definition of human trafficking has evolved over time to become nearly synonymous with slavery; however, we demonstrate that media and anti-trafficking organisations have been focussing their attention on the sexual exploitation of foreign women. We show that general public opinion reflects this skewed attention; the average citizen equates human trafficking with the smuggling of women for sexual slavery. Using a survey experiment, we find that shining light on other facets of human trafficking - the fact that human trafficking is a security problem and a domestic issue - can increase public response to the issue.

Language: en

Keywords

experiment; human trafficking; public opinion; slavery; topic modelling