Reconstructing lives: transformative services for human trafficking survivors

• Published in: The Journal of services marketing Vol. 31; no. 4/5; pp. 373 - 384
• Main Author: Loomba, Arvinder P.S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Santa Barbara Emerald Publishing Limited 01.01.2017; Emerald Group Publishing Limited
• Subjects: Community health care; Exploitation; Forced labor; Globalization; Government agencies; Human trafficking; Prostitution; Rape; Researchers; Sex industry; Slavery; Society; Transnationalism; Coping strategy; Human trafficking; Community ties; Transformative services; Liminal; Trafficking survivors
• ISSN: 0887-6045; 2054-1651
• DOI: 10.1108/JSM-06-2016-0228

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to introduce a transformative service-based model, which analyzes tripartite service interaction logics among trafficking survivors, anti-trafficking agencies and the community during a process of actively- and passively transformative exchanges. It aims to help researchers and practitioners better understand services that facilitate reintegration of trafficking survivors into society. Design/methodology/approach Using theory development from sociological and liminality schools of thought, this paper explores a variety of coping strategies that anti-trafficking agencies can offer human-trafficking survivors in post-trafficking service settings. Findings A novel transformative service-based framework extends current conceptualizations of social and service exchange in a tripartite interaction setting. Anti-trafficking agencies can create a supportive community environment to offer trafficking survivors passively transformative services and to cultivate and nurture their coping skills towards reintegration into society. Research limitations/implications Important implications for transformative service-based theory and practice of serving trafficking survivors are discussed. In addition, the study limitations are addressed. Practical implications The transformative service-based model analyzes tripartite service interaction logics during a process of exchanges between trafficking survivors, anti-trafficking agency and community ecosystem to achieve meaningful post-trafficking reintegration into society. Social implications Using the transformative service model, community ties need to be re-established for trafficking survivors to achieve successful reintegration into society, and for communities to heal and restore human dignity. Originality/value This research proposes a new framework for actively- and passively-transformative service logic for anti-trafficking agencies to offer assistance to trafficking survivors, based on sociological and liminality schools of thought.