A Study on the Shelter Services of Human Trafficking Victims in Taiwan: An Interpretation of Empowerment
Date Issued
2012
Date
2012
Author(s)
Bai, Jhih-Fang
Abstract
Human trafficking, the modern-day slavery, has become an international issue in today’s highly globalized world. Following with opening door to foreigners, Taiwan’s high economic development and ever closer formal and informal interactions with China and Southeast Asia serve as a pull factor for foreigners to come to earn livings. The pursuit of a better life, however, is manipulated by traffickers and brokers who gain extravagant profits from the inhumane crime.
The government of Taiwan initiated combating human-trafficking measures in 2006 to curtail the prevalence of the crime. From the implementation of the National Action Plan to the enactment of the Anti-Trafficking Control and Prevention Act, Taiwan has built up its anti-trafficking module and networks within 3 years only. Having been devoted to trafficking victims’ protection since 2006 and witnessing the change, the researcher found the significance of victims’ protection in the 3P paradigm- prevention, prosecution, protection. This study presents an in-depth research on the current trafficking victims’ protection and victims’ services in Taiwan.
Based on the theory of needs and the empowerment approach, this study focuses on the victims’ protection system from the perspectives of practitioners and victims, assessing the current system with victims’ needs. Research data are collected through semi-structured interviews. The researcher conducted field works at the National Immigration Agency’s East Coast Shelter for Trafficking Victims, and the interviewees included shelter staff, trafficking victims in the shelter, and practitioners in the victims’ protection system.
This study finds that the government and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have different points of view on the shelter’s function and role. To the government, the shelter is established in response to laws. The myth among the law enforcement that trafficking victims are equal to criminals leads to the expectation on the shelter’s managing and monitoring roles. With the belief that permissive management works better for victims, NGOs, on the other hand, emphasize on professional direct services and strive to deepen and broaden services. NGOs well integrate resources to develop service programs that can benefit the victims and meet their needs.
Analyzing the current victims’ protection system, this study finds that the current system satisfies the law, but the government should decriminalize trafficking victims. In practice, with ‘victim empowerment’ as its core belief, the shelter gives trafficking victims the ability and opportunity to be empowered through its services. In spite of the fact that victims’ normative needs have almost been satisfied, the shelter moves beyond to meet their expressive needs. According to the empowerment approach, victims should feel being equal, respected, and free during their stay in the shelter. Such experiences will empower them to fight for their own rights and expand the room for negotiation, as well as be helpful for them to rebuild trust in people and regain a sense of self-determination.
This study is concluded with several suggestions. To combat and prevent human trafficking, the government should maintain an equal partnership with NGOs, and trainings for practitioners and professionals should be offered. As to victims’ protection, services and resources for trafficking victims should be diverse and flexible; empowerment should take place in the shelter through professional direct services; trafficking victims should be provided with different types of housing options.
Subjects
human trafficking
trafficking victims
victim protection
empowerment
Type
thesis
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