Human Trafficking: The Hidden Aftermath of U.S. Natural Disasters

Abstract

This thesis explores common factors associated with both victims of human trafficking and vulnerable populations in post-natural-disaster environments. This research aimed to prove post-natural-disasters can lead to human trafficking crimes. The research identified social, economic, and human security factors that are present in both human trafficking and natural disaster environments. Volatility in these categories destabilizes and disrupts multiple aspects of a community, consequently leading to individuals being more susceptible to trafficking. The findings of this research also indicate that the identified factors have universal applicability regardless of disaster type, culture, or geographic location. Disaster survivors are not the only vulnerable population, but other populations, such as disaster workers, are also susceptible to trafficking. Gaining an in-depth perspective on the common vulnerabilities linking human trafficking and natural disasters can help officials develop strategies to assist with combating trafficking activities in a post-disaster environment and protect individuals who are in a compromised state after enduring a life-altering disaster event.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 01, 2020
Accession Number
AD1114183

Entities

People

  • Carrie B. Eichelberger

Organizations

  • Naval Postgraduate School

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • California
  • Civil Rights
  • Climate Change
  • Criminals
  • Department Of Homeland Security
  • Disasters
  • Drug Trafficking
  • Emergency Response
  • Employment
  • Health Services
  • Homeland Security
  • Human Population
  • Human Trafficking
  • Medical Personnel
  • National Security
  • Natural Disasters
  • Social Media
  • Social Networking Services
  • Societies
  • Storm Surges
  • Traumatic Stress Disorder
  • United States
  • Victims

Readers

  • Agent-Based Social Robotics and Mobile-Assisted Learning in Virtual Environments.
  • Emergency Management and Homeland Security.
  • Political Violence and Terrorism Studies.