Sex work in a post-trafficking context: A qualitative study from the viewpoint of survivors and service providers in Europe

Sex work and trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation have been linked since the origins of human trafficking. Nonetheless, deeper insights into the role sex work plays in the life of trafficking survivors, following a trafficking experience are lacking. This research explores how sex work is approached in the context of (re) integration of persons trafficked, how service providers view sex work, and what the implications are for the survivors and their recovery. A total of 52 qualitative interviews were conducted in Europe (Southeastern Europe, the Netherlands, and Italy) with service providers who have been in direct contact with survivors of human trafficking, as well as survivors of trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation. Themes were derived based on how sex work was conceptualised by both service providers and survivors. Findings show that return to sex work following a trafficking experience is considered to be an undesirable outcome of the (re) integration process. Sex work is stigmatised by both service providers and victims, openly and subtly, in the context of trafficking and generally. It is seen as ‘not normal’ by all groups interviewed, and trafficking victims in particular seek to distance themselves from the experience, whether they entered it knowingly or not. Long-term recovery and (re) integration of victims of trafficking may be difficult if stigmatisation in regard to involvement in sex work persists, both from the perspective of survivors as well as service providers.