Key Challenges Experienced by Bangladeshi Human Trafficking Survivors During Social Reintegration: Insights from Survivors, Experts, and Social Workers.

Abstract

Purpose: Human trafficking survivors' successful social reintegration is of paramount importance. However, survivors found it difficult to build their lives in Bangladesh upon return. The specific challenges encountered by Bangladeshi trafficking survivors remain underexplored, particularly regarding individual, socio-cultural, and systematic factors. We aim to investigate the obstacles survivors encounter during social reintegration by examining survivors' experiences, and subjective perspectives of experts and social workers who provide life-skill and vocational training to survivors.

Materials and method: This qualitative study intends to gather in-depth insights by conducting 40 semi-structured interviews with the key stakeholders, including survivors, experts, and service providers.

Results: After thematically analyzing the qualitative data, the study denotes that survivors encountered several challenges to social reintegration, including social stigmatization, victim blaming, family rejection, limited access to essential support services, economic hardship, health issues, and difficulties in relationships. Notably, social reintegration is more challenging for female survivors than for male survivors in Bangladesh due to the widespread misconceptions about sex work and trafficking.

Discussion and conclusion: Our findings contribute to the literature by offering new insights regarding previously underexplored challenges to social reintegration, highlighting significant gender differences in social stigmatization and systematic barriers like the scarcity of essential support services. Finally, the article puts forward actionable implications for social workers and policymakers in developing targeted interventions to foster survivors' successful social reintegration in Bangladesh, ultimately contributing to achieving the UN SDGs, especially Goals 1 (No Poverty), 3 (Good Health and Well-being), 5 (Gender Equality), and 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions).