Citation

Vijeyarasa R. Cult. Health Sex. 2010; 12(Suppl 1): S89-S102.

Affiliation

School of Social Sciences and International Studies, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia. rvijeyarasa@gmail.com

Copyright

(Copyright © 2010, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/13691050903359257

PMID

19904645

Abstract

The Vietnamese Government continues to take steps to address trafficking in women and girls. However, rather than perceiving trafficking as a violation of human rights, greater attention is given by the government to its effects on society and social morals, particularly where victims have engaged in sex work in destination countries. Trafficked returnees are directly implicated in the State's approach to defining sex work as a 'social evil'. This approach reproduces the socio-economic inequality involved in trafficking and further marginalises trafficked women. Simultaneously, although Vietnamese women are often drawn into trafficking due to family obligations, they frequently face dishonour upon their return or are forced to hide the truth of their experience of being trafficked. This paper argues that the language of 'social evils' and the responses of the State and family undermine the ability of trafficked returnees to reintegrate. This is heightened where returnees are deemed to be transmitters of HIV infection, hence suffering human trafficking, sex-work and HIV/AIDS-related stigma. I also reflect upon whether the approach of service providers exacerbates stigma, particularly in the context of shelter rehabilitation and present several recommendations for reform, the most pressing being the need to eliminate the language of 'social evils'.

Keywords: Human trafficking

Language: en