On the 5th of July 2023, FRC member, Nadine El-Dekmak presented her forthcoming paper “Trauma bonding in human trafficking and child sexual abuse online” during the penal “Technology facilitated trafficking and other forms of online exploitation – Analysis from a legal, social and governance perspective” at the IMISCOE Conference 2023 hosted by the Centre of Migration Research at the University of Warsaw (3-6 July).
Abstract:
The term ‘trauma bonding’ refers to the emotional bond formed between two individuals arising from abuse and coercion. It is generally considered a coping strategy for victims of crime, in the sense that victims develop feelings such as gratitude and sympathy towards their abusers. In this regard, perpetrators intentionally manipulate victims in order to create this emotional attachment. Whilst it appears that trauma bonding is extremely common in situations of trafficking in human beings and child sexual abuse as a result of intentional psychological coercive techniques used by traffickers (Sanchez et al, 2019), research has not yet determined whether trauma bonding similarly arises in case of ICT-facilitated crimes. In other words, do victims of technology-facilitated trafficking and child sexual abuse develop any sort of emotional attachment to their abuser? In answering this question, we will start from the hypothesis that online services (such as social media platforms) may facilitate the development of trauma bonding due to coercion made possible through constant contact between the trafficker and the potential victim. This paper will discuss findings that yield from literature review and empirical data collected through semi-structured expert interviews with relevant professionals. This research was conducted in the framework of the Horizon funded project HEROES.