Measuring the Prevalence of Minors in Sex Trafficking in Mumbai and Kolkata, India

• In Event: Human Trafficking Measurement

Abstract

International Justice Mission conducted a series of investigations in 2015-2016 to measure the prevalence of minors in sex trafficking in Kolkata and Mumbai, India. The project in its entirety captures information on sex workers in both public and private establishments, as well as interviews with survivors. To sell minors for sex is illegal in India, and therefore the population is hidden and transient, resulting in several methodological challenges. The presenters will discuss the data collection and analysis methods used to address and account for such issues as well as key study findings based on the resulting inference procedures, and implications for future research. In particular, the analysts will explain how social network analysis aided a better understanding of how the trafficking networks operate by type of establishment (public or private) and city.

Authors

• Ashley Russell, Florida State University

• Andee Cooper Parks, International Justice Mission

• Alesha Rusk, International Justice Mission

• Kyle Vincent, Independent Research Consultant

• Zixin Nie, Independent Research Consultant