Trafficking in Persons for the Removal Of
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TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS FOR THE REMOVAL OF ORGANS IN INDIA: EXPLORING THE IMPACT OF ECONOMIC, SOCIAL, AND CULTURAL FACTORS ON VULNERABILITY AND PROTECTION By KATHERINE FINDLEY A dissertation submitted to the School of Graduate Studies Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey In partial fulfillment of the requirements For the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Graduate Program in Social Work Written under the direction of Dr. Patricia Findley And approved by ____________________________________ ____________________________________ ____________________________________ ____________________________________ New Brunswick, New Jersey October, 2018 TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS FOR THE REMOVAL OF ORGANS IN INDIA: EXPLORING THE IMPACT OF ECONOMIC, SOCIAL, AND CULTURAL FACTORS ON VULNERABILITY AND PROTECTION By KATHERINE FINDLEY Dissertation director: Dr. Patricia Findley This dissertation explores how influences on the individual, family, community, and governmental level impact susceptibility to trafficking in persons for the removal of organs (TPRO) in India. Two of the research questions examine specifically what impacts vulnerability and protection among a sample of 43 individuals living in a community in India. The third research question explores the role of the living organ donor assessment process in the prevention of trafficking. In this dissertation, the theoretical understanding of how choices are made, or not made, particularly by vulnerable individuals, is explored. Qualitative interviews were conducted with persons trafficked for organ removal and persons not trafficked for organ removal who are living within the same socio-economic environment, but who were not all trafficked for organ removal. Study data were analyzed using constructivist grounded theory methods. Findings from this study show that economic, cultural, and social influences affect both protection from and susceptibility to trafficking. It was found that resources, government response to poverty, motivations, and the utilization of the body as an economic tool all influence trafficking status. Additionally, it was found that cultural and social influences included gender, family dynamics, awareness and community information sharing, and organ sale broker presence. Furthermore, trafficked persons secure government approval for organ removal through broker facilitation and the donor ii assessment often fails to protect against of persons for organs. Findings reveal that family pacts against organ sales, knowledge of negative consequences of transplant, and protect individuals from being trafficked for an organ. For those who were trafficked, it was found that the combination of poverty, coupled with the presence of organ brokers who work within an inadequate donor assessment system t created an environment where poverty originated organ removal (POOR) occurs. Both trafficked and non-trafficked individuals utilized their bodies in the way that they could to survive or meet financial obligations, as the environment requires it. This structurally coercive environment leads to trafficking of individuals for organ removal through the abuse of the individual’s vulnerability. This research provides macro to micro level recommendations for the elimination of TPRO through preventative programs and policies, as well as highlights the need for assistance for trafficked persons. iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS First, I would like to thank my chair Dr. Patricia Findley. She has been my fearless advocate since day one, always supporting me and believing in me. Without her experience, guidance, moral support, and sense of humor, I would not be where I am today. Findleys stick together. I would also like to thank Dr. Judith McCoyd for her willingness to work with me and openness to discussion and exploration. I greatly appreciate her patience throughout the process. She not only taught me how to be a qualitative researcher, but also how to be a better editor. I would also like to thank Dr. Debra Budiani-Saberi who took a chance on a stranger and opened her world to me, always dedicating herself to teaching me. I have learned so much from her and have immense gratitude for the doors that have been opened and the partnership and friendship that has been built. My PhD journey in to international research ethics began with Dr. Francis Barchi who taught me so much about how to protect research participants and how to conduct ethical research. I could not have completed this dissertation without that strong foundation. I appreciate her ability to challenge my thought processes and my own personal assumptions. I would also like to thank Dr. Allison Zippay who always encouraged me when I needed it the most. She provided me with support through the entire doctoral program. I appreciate the genuine care she showed me. I would also like to thank Donna Albert who makes everything run smoothly and who graciously helped me countless times over the years. iv I would also like to thank my husband, Raoul, for never giving up on me and for reading numerous drafts and for being there by my side through the whole process. Thank you also to my family and friends who have supported me. Their belief in my capacity and their support kept me going. Special thanks to my mom and dad for always supporting my wild dreams and for never discouraging me from creating my own path. Specifically, I would like to thank my dad for encouraging me and for providing me with helpful advice along the way. To my friends and partners in India- without your help, nothing was possible. You opened your community to me and trusted me. I look forward to us continuing to work together to end this abuse and I’m grateful for your friendship. Lastly, to those who I interviewed, I will forever be grateful for your strength and courage to share your story, no matter how painful it was to relive. I hope that I have done justice by you and that your stories can live on and we can create lastly change together. v TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT OF THE DISSERTATION…………………………………………..…..ii ACKNOWLDEGEMENTS…………………………………………………….………iv Chapter 1 Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 1 Research Questions ............................................................................................................. 6 Conceptual Framework ....................................................................................................... 6 Understanding vulnerability and consent ............................................................................ 7 Terminology and International Understanding ............................................................ 10 Establishment of definition .......................................................................................... 11 Study terminology. ....................................................................................................... 14 Theoretical Basis ............................................................................................................... 15 Unitary assumption theory. .......................................................................................... 15 Disaster vulnerability theory. ....................................................................................... 17 Abuse of a position of vulnerability............................................................................. 20 Self-determination theory ............................................................................................ 22 Theoretical Exploration .................................................................................................... 22 Chapter 2 Living Donor Assessment Standards ................................................................................ 25 Donor Assessment in India ............................................................................................... 28 Motivation ......................................................................................................................... 30 Lack of resources. ........................................................................................................ 31 Poverty and decision making. ...................................................................................... 32 Post-transplant Consequences ........................................................................................... 33 Understanding the practice in India .................................................................................. 34 Gaps in literature ............................................................................................................... 34 Chapter 3 Introduction to Design and Methodology ......................................................................... 40 Research Design................................................................................................................ 42 Ethics................................................................................................................................. 45 Sample............................................................................................................................... 48 Interview Guides ............................................................................................................... 50 vi Data Collection ................................................................................................................. 53 Data Analysis ...................................................................................................................