Responding to orphanage trafficking from an information gathering perspective

Area of Science:

• Social Sciences
• Criminology
• Child Welfare

Background:

• Approximately 3 million institutionalized children globally have families to return to.
• A significant number are victims of orphanage trafficking, recruited with false pretenses and documentation labeling them as orphans.
• These children are exploited within orphanages based on their fabricated orphan status.

Purpose of the Study:

• To profile the origins and networks of paper orphans using an investigative interviewing perspective.
• To raise awareness about paper orphans and orphanage trafficking.
• To provide guidance for identifying and interviewing paper orphans and associated individuals.

Main Methods:

• Investigative interviewing perspective.
• Analysis of current evidence on paper orphan origins and networks.
• Comparison of orphanage trafficking victims with other child trafficking victims regarding investigative needs.

Main Results:

• Detailed profile of paper orphan origins and networks.
• Identification of investigative needs for law enforcement and reunification officers interviewing paper orphans and related parties.
• Overview of the orphanage trafficking context.

Conclusions:

• Further research on orphanage trafficking is crucial.
• Developing effective interviewing strategies for paper orphans is essential for reunification and prosecution.
• Increased awareness and targeted interventions can help combat orphanage trafficking and support child welfare.