Challenging Humanitarian Images the Case of Anti-Trafficking

Abstract

Abstract-Humanitarian efforts have spurred a visual culture that portrays suffering victims in order to elicit concern in audiences across the world. The humanitarian efforts of Western nations have come under considerable scrutiny in recent years. This paper analyzes the response of a sex workers organization in the Asia-Pacific region to the efforts of anti-human trafficking activists. It focuses on two visual images that are used to challenge this humanitarian regime and situates this campaign within the context of other humanitarian criticism.

Advocates’ Experiences With Media and the Impact of Media on Human Trafficking Advocacy

“…Advocates’ unique interactions with individuals at multicontextual levels gives them the opportunity to gain greater knowledge of human trafficking issues, increase understanding of attitudes toward human trafficking, and have the space and ability to counteract misinformation presented. However, it is also important to acknowledge that some advocates may be misguided by misinformation or may perpetuate stereotypes about human trafficking survivors through sensationalized narratives instead of accurate portrayals and statistics, potentially affecting the knowledge of the general public and policy (Baker, 2013; Mielke, 2015). While this tension is raised, it is not resolved in the present study.…”