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WHO Ethical and Safety Recommendations for Interviewing Trafficked Women

Publication World Health OrganizationLondon School of Hygiene & Tropical MedicineDaphne Programme of the European Commission

Excerpt from the publication:

…[I]nterviewing a woman who has been trafficked raises a number of ethical questions and safety concerns for the woman, others close to her, and for the interviewer. Having a sound understanding of the risks, ethical considerations, and the practical realities related to trafficking can help minimize the dangers and increase the likelihood that a woman will disclose relevant and accurate information. These recommendations are intended primarily for use by researchers, members of the media, and service providers unfamiliar with the situation of trafficked women. They do not explicitly discuss the different risks and obligations of interviewing females who are minors, although many of the same principles will apply. The recommendations were drafted in consultation with a group of experts on trafficking and violence against women, most of whom have worked directly with women who have been trafficked.