ABSTRACT
This final chapter brings together key findings from the book’s mixed-methods exploration of internal (domestic) trafficking for child sexual exploitation. The research was based primarily on six major such investigations in the UK, including the infamous Rochdale ‘grooming’ case and others that fuelled widespread panic around so-called ‘Asian sex gangs’. This chapter begins by revisiting the central question underpinning the research as a whole: ‘What situational factors and processes contribute to the internal sex trafficking of British children and impede official responses?’ Across the component studies, there is shown to be considerable and compelling evidence that the structures, processes and dynamics of the offender and victim networks facilitated, spread and sustained trafficking activity and complicated official responses. In light of this evidence, the idea of crime as social contagion is explored and the hypothesis that internal child sex trafficking may spread through social networks is considered. The main implications of the research for counter-trafficking policy and practice are discussed. Finally, the focus is broadened to consider human trafficking (and ‘modern slavery’) in general: an agendum is set out for the development of the evidence base, which covers monitoring, evaluation and future research directions.
