The Human Trafficking Crusade: a Content Analysis of Canadian Newspaper Articles
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
The Human Trafficking Crusade: A Content Analysis of Canadian Newspaper Articles Shannon Fournier A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Master’s degree in Globalization and International Development School of International Development and Global Studies Faculty of Social Sciences University of Ottawa © Shannon Fournier, Ottawa, Canada, 2020 ii Abstract Although human trafficking was not a new concept, it gained increased attention across the United States and Canada in the first two decades of the 21st century. To better understand the Canadian anti-trafficking movement, this thesis analyzed the discourse on the topic in six local and national daily newspapers between 2008 and 2018. The goal of this thesis was to investigate the emergence of human trafficking as a social problem. Using social constructionism as a point of departure, a critical discourse analysis was conducted in NVivo of the quotes made by human trafficking experts in Canadian media. The results of this analysis suggest that an Unofficial Christian Coalition emerged in Canada, which – assisted by the media – led a moral crusade against human trafficking and pushed for the adoption of restrictive sex work legislation in Canada. Key words: human trafficking, sex trafficking, sex work, sex trade, prostitution iii Acknowledgement Throughout the writing of this thesis I have received a great deal of support and assistance. I would first like to thank my supervisor, Chris Bruckert, whose expertise was invaluable throughout every step of this process. Your support, guidance, and rigorous work ethic pushed me to be a better researcher and writer than I thought I could be. I would like to acknowledge all my peers in the SIDGS master’s program for going on this journey together. In particular, Rebecca Dick and Jennifer Bonti-Ankomah, for your much- needed emotional support and encouragement over the past two years. My biggest thanks to my family for all the support you have shown me throughout not only this research project, but the years leading up to this point. This paper has been the culmination of nine years of struggles and triumphs, and I would not be where I am today without your unyielding love and support. This paper is as much yours as it is mine. Thank you to Irvin Waller, who saw potential in me as a young undergraduate student and provided me with wonderful opportunities to explore my interests. You encouraged me to voice my opinions, stand up for what I believe in, and to never be complacent with the status quo. For that, I will be forever grateful. Finally, I am extremely thankful to Paul Haslam, Anick Mineault, Rebecca Tiessen, and Stacey Hannem for going above and beyond to ensure the successful completion of this thesis in such a short time frame. iv Table of Contents INTRODUCTION: THE HUMAN TRAFFICKING CRUSADE ............................................................. 1 CHAPTER 1. THE CONTEMPORARY HUMAN TRAFFICKING NARRATIVE .............................. 4 I. THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT’S ANTI-TRAFFICKING AGENDA ................................................................... 5 II. HUMAN TRAFFICKING MORAL ENTREPRENEURS ................................................................................... 11 III. MEDIA, THE ALMIGHTY ........................................................................................................................ 23 CHAPTER 2. THE SOCIAL CONSTRUCTION OF MORAL PANICS .............................................. 31 THE NATURAL HISTORY MODEL ................................................................................................................ 31 THE PROCESS OF MAKING CLAIMS ............................................................................................................. 32 CHAPTER 3. AN EXPLANATORY CRITIQUE .................................................................................... 43 CRITICAL DISCOURSE ANALYSIS ................................................................................................................ 43 THE EXPLANATORY CRITIQUE .................................................................................................................... 44 CHAPTER 4. CANADIAN PERSPECTIVES ON HUMAN TRAFFICKING ..................................... 54 HUMAN TRAFFICKING EXPERTS .................................................................................................................. 54 CATEGORIZING THE PERSPECTIVES OF MORAL CLAIMS ............................................................................. 56 CHAPTER 5. THE EMERGENCE OF A MORAL PANIC ................................................................... 76 ANTI-TRAFFICKING MORAL CRUSADERS ................................................................................................... 77 I. Concern ............................................................................................................................................... 77 II. Hostility ............................................................................................................................................. 78 III. Consensus ......................................................................................................................................... 82 IV. Disproportionality ............................................................................................................................ 88 V. Volatility ............................................................................................................................................ 88 CHAPTER 6. MEDIA MANIPULATION OF THE NARRATIVE ....................................................... 93 MEDIA, THE CREATOR ................................................................................................................................ 93 CHANGING THE NARRATIVE ..................................................................................................................... 101 CONCLUSION: MOVING FORWARD FROM A MORAL CRUSADE ........................................... 105 REFERENCES ........................................................................................................................................... 110 APPENDIX ................................................................................................................................................. 116 1. PROGRESSION OF KEY TERMS ........................................................................................................... 119 2. COMPARISON OF MAJOR TACTICS ..................................................................................................... 119 3. CANADIAN HUMAN TRAFFICKING EXPERTS, CHRISTIAN AFFILIATION ............................................. 120 4. ANTI-TRAFFICKING KEY MOMENTS .................................................................................................. 123 5. EXPERT QUOTES ................................................................................................................................ 124 6. LIST OF CANADIAN MEDIA ARTICLES ............................................................................................... 139 7. NVIVO CODE BOOK ........................................................................................................................... 141 1 INTRODUCTION Young girls being coerced into trafficking their bodies? Women being traded like commodities, and beaten and battered and worse? Innocence being lost to dirty old men, who care nothing for anything except their own grimy desires? Who cares. The highest court in the land certainly doesn't seem to care. – Warren Kinsella (Journalist), in response to the Supreme Court Bedford decision. (Toronto Sun, 12 January 2014) In the second decade of the 21st century, the topic of human trafficking seemed to have amplified across North America. Although human trafficking was not a new concept, it gained increased attention across the United States and Canada. Literature emerged from diverse disciplines investigating the phenomenon – health sciences (e.g. Ross, Dimitrova, Howard, Dewey, Zimmerman & Oram, 2015), childhood development (e.g., Greenbaum & Brodrick, 2017), dentistry (e.g. Gillette, 2012), hospitality (e.g., Paraskevas & Brookes, 2018), marketing (e.g., Szablewska & Kubacki, 2018), and economics (e.g., Cho, 2016). Furthermore, the issue gained celebrity recognition in the media, as more and more high-profile public and political figures joined the anti-trafficking movement (Haynes, 2014). However, this commotion left some scholars questioning the quick widespread preoccupation with the ‘problem.’ Indeed, a body of literature emerged from this trend which critiqued the anti-trafficking movements in the United States and Canada. This thesis adds to this body of literature. To better understand the Canadian anti-trafficking movement, this thesis analyzed the discourse on the topic, in six local and national daily newspapers between 2008 and 2018: the Toronto Star, Toronto Sun, Ottawa Sun, Ottawa Citizen, National Post, and Globe and Mail. This time period was particularly relevant – it was during this time that three sex workers 2 challenged the constitutionality of the prostitution laws in Canada (Bedford v. Canada, 2010 ONSC [Ontario Superior Court] 4264;1 Canada [Attorney General] v. Bedford, 2012 ONCA [Ontario Court of Appeal] 186;2 Canada [Attorney General] v. Bedford, 2013 SCC [Supreme Court of Canada] 723) and there were major changes to Canada’s sex work laws in