Paper short abstract:

This paper provides a brief overview from an anthropological perspective of one of the most globalized criminal phenomena: human trafficking. In particular, it concerns crime perception [Bauer, 2011], network analysis [Boissevain, 1974] of criminal groups, and victim-oriented crime prevention.

Paper long abstract:

Human trafficking is a global criminal phenomenon: combating it is a fundamental issue in the International Community agenda .

But why aren't all the implemented counter-trafficking activities sufficient to stop it?

Starting from the author's fieldwork experience in Bosnia and Herzegovina, this paper describes the anthropological methods employed to analyze this human rights violation and to fight it.

From the network analysis [Boissevain, 1974] of the criminal groups involved in this illegal market [Ziegler, 2000] to the differentiation of smuggled and trafficked persons fluxes [Pace, 2002], it shows the importance of qualitative approach in counter-trafficking activities and the strong limits of quantitative analysis [Savona and Stefanizzi, 2007].

It also focuses on the delicate question of the victim status from the psychological aspects to the legal ones [Goodey, 2004], relying on evidence from the victims and the social operators.

In conclusion, it demonstrates how important crime perception [Bauer, 2011] is in the Eastern Europe civil society and how it is fundamental in prevention activities, investigations and victim rehabilitation programs.