Sex trafficking in Romania: the institutionl and legal context. An investigation from the perspective of Romanian anti-human trafficking NGOs

Abstract: The academic field of human trafficking is still in its infancy with many topics that still need to be investigated. This study focuses on sex trafficking and source countries. The reasons for this approach is that according to different sources, sex trafficking is one of the most common forms of human trafficking and understanding the situation in the origin countries could help actors find solutions in preventing the outflow. The purpose of this case study is to identify a number of contextual factors that are hindering or facilitating the work against human trafficking. The investigation is conducted through the eyes of anti-human trafficking NGOs. These actors are not only closer to the trafficking victims and potential victims, but they also have an extensive knowledge about the trafficking situation in Romania. The method used to gather the data was semi-structured interviews as well as reports, documents and relevant legislation. Using an abductive approach, this study shows that the current laws and institutional environment are, to some extent, contributing to the perpetuation of Romania as a source country. In addition, enforcement of prostitution laws, high corruption rates and lack of political will are among the factors that are hindering the combat against human trafficking. In order to offer an alternative explanation, a shadow case of the situation of a Swedish NGO situation is shortly presented.