Walden University ScholarWorks Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection 2017 An Exploration of Efforts to Combat Human Trafficking in a Small Community Shirley Konneh Walden University Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations Part of the Public Policy Commons This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection at ScholarWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Walden University College of Social and Behavioral Sciences This is to certify that the doctoral dissertation by Shirley Konneh has been found to be complete and satisfactory in all respects, and that any and all revisions required by the review committee have been made. Review Committee Dr. Anne Hacker, Committee Chairperson, Public Policy and Administration Faculty Dr. Judith Fitzgerald, Committee Member, Public Policy and Administration Faculty Dr. George Larkin, University Reviewer, Public Policy and Administration Faculty Chief Academic Officer Eric Riedel, Ph.D. Walden University 2017 Abstract An Exploration of Efforts to Combat Human Trafficking in a Small Community by Shirley D. Konneh MBA, Walden University, 2012 BS, Worcester State College, 2005 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Public Policy and Administration Walden University May 2017 Abstract Human trafficking is a global crime that violates the rights of people by holding them in captivity and coercing them into sexual slavery or strenuous labor. It has become a growing phenomenon on Cape Cod, Massachusetts with no signs of stopping. Using John Kingdon’s work on multiple policy streams as the primary theoretical foundation, the purpose of this case study was to identify the perceived barriers to implementing existing Massachusetts’s policies targeting human trafficking on Cape Cod as experienced by social service providers and law enforcement. Data were collected from 6 participants through e-mail interview. These data were inductively coded and analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s thematic analysis procedure. Findings indicate that participants perceived the key barriers to full implementation of state policy to be a lack of training, difficulties in forming and maintaining partnerships, gaps in policy, and funding deficiencies. Participants also consistently noted that vulnerable populations supply the demand for human trafficking, and vulnerable populations are one of the reasons why human trafficking continues to exist. The implications for social change include recommendations to local government policy makers to focus on building coalitions between law enforcement and social service agencies to capitalize on opportunities to engage in proactive policy making to ameliorate the social impacts of human trafficking, including recovery services for victims. An Exploration of Efforts to Combat Human Trafficking in a Small Community by Shirley D. Konneh MBA, Walden University, 2012 BS, Worcester State College, 2005 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Public Policy and Administration Walden University May 2017 Dedication I want to dedicate this study to victims and survivors everywhere. Most importantly, I dedicate this study to my support system. My mother who gave birth to me, raised me, and has stood by me through everything. My husband and my children who walked with me through this journey of education, have never left my side, and have been my biggest supporters throughout. I love you all unconditionally. Acknowledgments I would like to give glory and all honor to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He opened this door of opportunity for me that I never thought possible, and has granted me favor to complete it. I want to thank my husband Peter Konneh, who has been my backbone and strength, as well as, my children Peterlynn, Festus, and Kaitlynn Konneh. I give thanks to my Christian family for your countless prayers towards my success. I would also like to thank Dr. Hacker for your support, knowledge, and wisdom. Lastly, I need to give a generous thank you to the woman who was there from the very beginning and who I have always leaned on, my mother, Edith Finecountry. Table of Contents List of Tables ...................................................................................................................... v Chapter 1: Introduction to the Study ................................................................................... 1 Background of the Problem .......................................................................................... 2 Problem Statement ........................................................................................................ 6 Purpose of the Study ..................................................................................................... 8 Research Question ........................................................................................................ 9 Theoretical Framework ................................................................................................. 9 Multiple Streams Theory ...................................................................................... 10 Marxist and Demand Theory ................................................................................ 11 Victimology Theory .............................................................................................. 12 Nature of Study ........................................................................................................... 13 Definition of Terms ..................................................................................................... 14 Assumptions, Limitations, Scope and Delimitations .................................................. 15 Assumptions .......................................................................................................... 15 Limitations ............................................................................................................ 16 Scope and Delimitations ....................................................................................... 17 Significance of the Study ............................................................................................ 17 Summary ..................................................................................................................... 18 Chapter 2: Literature Review ............................................................................................ 20 Introduction ................................................................................................................. 20 Literature Search Strategy ........................................................................................... 21 i Theoretical Foundation ............................................................................................... 22 Multiple Streams Theory ...................................................................................... 22 Marxist Theory ...................................................................................................... 25 Demand Theory .................................................................................................... 29 Victimology .......................................................................................................... 31 Human Trafficking ...................................................................................................... 35 Definition of Human Trafficking .......................................................................... 35 Studies Performed on Human Trafficking by Researchers ................................... 37 Statistics on Human Trafficking ........................................................................... 39 The Nature of Human Trafficking ........................................................................ 40 Profile of Victims and Traffickers ........................................................................ 42 Policy Implementation Process in the United States .................................................. 44 Policies and Initiatives to Combat Human Trafficking in the United States .............. 46 The Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act ..................................... 52 Senior Policy Operating Group ............................................................................. 53 Massachusetts Policies on Human Trafficking ..................................................... 53 Media Influence on Human Trafficking ..................................................................... 58 Barriers to Implementing Policy ................................................................................. 59 Summary and Conclusions ......................................................................................... 61 Chapter 3: Research Method ............................................................................................. 63 Introduction ................................................................................................................. 63 Research Design and Rationale .................................................................................. 63 ii Case Study Design