The global movement of women has created a panic across borders in the 21st century, when it is suspected that they have been forced against their will to engage in sex work, which has manifested in the formation of what has come to be called the Rescue Industry . Governmental agencies and efforts have been directed at ‘rescuing’ victims of trafficking from an assumption of coercion, force and victimhood.
However, a closer look at the profiling of these individuals, the process of victim construction and the problematization of trafficking being equated to prostitution reveals that a significant number of so called ‘rescued’ women, do not wish to engage in or have no other choice in employment other than sex work and return to it soon after being released or ‘rescued’.
Who are the ‘rescuers’ and what are their motivations to rescue women who do not wish to be rescued? What is their role in immigration policy and law enforcement? Indeed, how does ‘rescue’ serve the purposes of immigration?
This thesis aims to explore and question the foundation of humanitarian governance through what has come to be called the ‘rescue industry’ – the plethora of organizations, governmental, non-governmental, international and humanitarian agencies and associated employees who are engaged in activities to rescue and rehabilitate these ‘victims’ of trafficking.
An analysis of the reasons behind the activities of these efforts demonstrates that motivations range from curbing female and irregular migration, providing employment for a certain social elite (referred to in Laura Augustin’s work later), to links with capitalism and profit. The visa and residence programs of the USA and the UK targeting victims of trafficking will be analyzed as will the websites of several anti-trafficking organizations, to illustrate the language, content and rationale behind their efforts and whether these ‘efforts’ are indeed as altruistic as they seem.
It is hoped that uncovering the role of personal agency and choice in these women’s lives in light of broader structural factors, such as economic and social disadvantage. will demonstrate that a significant proportion of ‘rescue’ efforts are unwarranted, and that a form of self serving humanitarianism is often in operation due to agendas other than the ‘victim’ in mind.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
- 1.1 STATEMENT OF THE RESEARCH PROBLEM
- 1.2 LITERATURE REVIEW
- 1.3 METHODOLOGY
- 1.4 AREAS OF FOCUS
- CHAPTER 2: THE NEXUS OF IMMIGRATION, TRAFFICKING AND RESCUE
- 2.1 THE CASE OF THE USA
- 2.2 PARALLELS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM
- 2.3 DISCREPANCIES WITHIN THE US MODEL
- CHAPTER 3: DECONSTRUCTING THE TRAJECTORY OF RESCUE TO SELF SUFFICIENCY
- 3.1 RIGHTS VESUS RESCUE
- 3.2 SEX WORKER ACCOUNTS OF RESCUE
- CHAPTER 4: ADULTERATED HUMANITARIANISM
- CHAPTER 6: A SEARCH FOR ALTERNATIVES
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This thesis delves into the intricacies of the “rescue industry,” a complex web of governmental, non-governmental, and international organizations dedicated to rescuing women from sex trafficking. By examining the motivations and activities of these rescue efforts, the thesis aims to unveil the underlying role of personal agency and choice in the lives of these women, while also exposing the potential for self-serving humanitarianism driven by agendas beyond the purported “victim’s” interests.
- The complex intersection of immigration, trafficking, and rescue efforts
- The impact of "rescue" on female migration and immigration policy
- The relationship between the "rescue industry" and the capitalist system
- The role of personal agency and choice in the lives of women involved in sex work
- Alternative modes of sex worker protection within the framework of labor law and workers' rights
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
Chapter 1 introduces the research problem, outlining the complex and often misunderstood nature of rescue efforts in the context of sex work. It examines the concept of rescue through the lens of language and societal perceptions, setting the stage for a critical analysis of the motivations and impacts of rescue efforts. The chapter also provides a literature review, highlighting key scholarly perspectives on the subject, and outlines the research methodology employed throughout the study. Finally, it lays out the specific areas of focus within the thesis.
Chapter 2 delves into the nexus of immigration, trafficking, and rescue, focusing on the case of the USA and the UK. The chapter analyzes relevant visa and residence programs targeting victims of trafficking, exposing the intricate relationship between immigration policy and rescue efforts. It also explores the rationale behind these efforts, examining the language and content employed by anti-trafficking organizations.
Chapter 3 deconstructs the trajectory of rescue efforts, challenging the notion of self-sufficiency as a primary goal. It explores the tensions between rights and rescue, highlighting the limitations and potential conflicts arising from rescue interventions. By examining accounts of sex workers themselves, the chapter sheds light on the complexities and potential unintended consequences of rescue efforts, revealing the multifaceted experiences of women in this context.
Chapter 4 unveils the potential for adulterated humanitarianism, delving into the motivations and agendas that may drive rescue efforts. It analyzes the potential for self-serving interests to overshadow the purported goal of victim protection. The chapter examines the interplay of social, economic, and political factors that influence the practice of rescue, highlighting the need for critical scrutiny of these interventions.
Chapter 6, dedicated to exploring alternative modes of sex worker protection, presents a compelling case for prioritizing labor rights and legal frameworks. It suggests that a shift in focus from rescue to worker empowerment may offer a more effective and ethical approach to addressing the complex challenges faced by sex workers.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
This research focuses on the "rescue industry," encompassing themes such as sex trafficking, female migration, immigration policy, humanitarian governance, personal agency, labor law, and workers' rights. It examines the impact of rescue efforts on women involved in sex work, analyzing the interplay between coercion and choice, as well as the potential for self-serving humanitarianism. Key concepts include victimhood, agency, empowerment, and the intersection of capitalism and social justice.
- Quote paper
- Davina Ray (Author), 2015, The business of rescue. Political strategy, immigration policy and profit, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/366011
