Corruption and Human Trafficking in Brazil: Findings from a Multi-Modal Approach
| Author | Andrea Cirineo Sacco Studnicka |
| Published date | 01 January 2010 |
| Date | 01 January 2010 |
| DOI | http://doi.org/10.1177/1477370809347925 |
| Subject Matter | Articles |
Article
Corresponding author:
Andrea Cirineo Sacco Studnicka, Ministério Público do Distrito Federal e Territórios, SHIS, QI 17, Conjunto 03,
Casa 04, Lago Sul, Brazilia, 71645-030, Brazil
Email: andreacs@mpdft.gov.br; andreacs@iod-consulting.com
Corruption and Human
Trafficking in Brazil: Findings
from a Multi-Modal Approach
Andrea Cirineo Sacco Studnicka
Ministério Público do Distrito Federal e Territórios, Brazil
Abstract
Because both corruption and trafficking are very complex phenomena, a multivariate approach
was used to analyse the relationship between corruption and trafficking. The results of the analysis
show that, in Brazil, corruption is a causal factor in human trafficking. The paper offers a number
of suggestions to help researchers and policy makers better understand where, how and when
corruption facilitates trafficking in human beings in order to combat both crimes more effectively.
Keywords
Correlation, Corruption, Trafficking in Human Beings (THB), Triangulation.
The technological advances of the past century have brought about unprecedented levels
of organized crime (Savona and William 1996). In a world no longer restricted by geog-
raphy, transnational crime is on the rise. With the advent of new and more sophisticated
technologies, the reach of criminal networks has expanded while domestic legal systems
have struggled to keep pace (ibid.). One of the key types of organized crime that research-
ers have been focusing on is trafficking in human beings (THB) (European Commission
2001). According to a research report sponsored by the United States government, every
year some 800,000 people are trafficked across national borders and several million
more are trafficked within countries (US Department of State 2008). This makes THB
one of the most lucrative crimes as well as one of the most difficult to combat.
Social scientists and experts such as Lyday (2001) and Bales (2005) have labelled this
type of criminality the ‘new slave trade’ because it commodifies human beings into mere
merchandise that is being transported across borders, traded for currency and recycled
through the domestic economy (see Hughes 1999). Whereas other sorts of contraband are
easily identified and have proven methods of detection (e.g. dogs trained to sniff out drugs
and explosives), THB is much more difficult to identify and prosecute (see Ribando 2005).
In addition, the exponential rise in global traffic has added pressure on national borders that
are already swamped by unprecedented levels of trade and human movement.
European Journal of Criminology
7(1) 29–43
© The Author(s) 2010
Reprints and permission: http://www.
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DOI: 10.1177/1477370809347925
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