The Construction of Sex Trafficking - Swedish Policy-making, Effects and the Complexity of a Global Social Problem

Abstract: Author: Tekla Münger Title: The Construction of Sex Trafficking – Swedish Policy-making, Effects and the Complexity of a Global Social Problem Master’s thesis SOCM04 Cultural Criminology, 30 credits Supervisor: Erik Hannerz Department of Sociology, spring 2021 The purpose of this qualitative study is to analyse how sex trafficking is constructed and represented as a social problem in policy documents. Further, to investigate how the problem representation of sex trafficking impacts the work of public and non-governmental organisations, and in the end the victim’s right to support and protection. Departing from those premises, a policy analysis of documents that sets the frame for how sex trafficking is handled in Sweden today has been critically examined. Moreover, nine interviews with professionals working in the public sector and at non-governmental organisations have been conducted. The analysis departs from a constructivist perspective and Bacchi’s analytical method for policy analysis. The theoretical framework is complemented with intersectional theory and concepts regarding the welfare system and global inequality. The main findings of the study are that sex trafficking mainly is represented as a criminal issue in policy documents, rather than a global, social, economic and cultural problem. As a consequence, the public support system for victims becomes clearly connected to their legal status and to the criminal law process, which results in that victims that do not “fit the frame” do not get access to the public support system. This put a lot of responsibility on non-governmental organisations, that can offer support outside the bureaucratic frames.