Reconstructing lives: transformative services for human trafficking survivors

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to introduce a transformative service-based model, which analyzes tripartite service interaction logics among trafficking survivors, anti-trafficking agencies and the community during a process of actively- and passively transformative exchanges. It aims to help researchers and practitioners better understand services that facilitate reintegration of trafficking survivors into society. Design/methodology/approach Using theory development from sociological and liminality schools of thought, this paper explores a variety of coping strategies that anti-trafficking agencies can offer human-trafficking survivors in post-trafficking service settings. Findings A novel transformative service-based framework extends current conceptualizations of social and service exchange in a tripartite interaction setting. Anti-trafficking agencies can create a supportive community environment to offer trafficking survivors passively transformative services and to cultivate and nurture their coping skills towards reintegration into society. Research limitations/implications Important implications for transformative service-based theory and practice of serving trafficking survivors are discussed. In addition, the study limitations are addressed. Practical implications The transformative service-based model analyzes tripartite service interaction logics during a process of exchanges between trafficking survivors, anti-trafficking agency and community ecosystem to achieve meaningful post-trafficking reintegration into society. Social implications Using the transformative service model, community ties need to be re-established for trafficking survivors to achieve successful reintegration into society, and for communities to heal and restore human dignity. Originality/value This research proposes a new framework for actively- and passively-transformative service logic for anti-trafficking agencies to offer assistance to trafficking survivors, based on sociological and liminality schools of thought.

A continuum of transformative service exchange: insights for service and social marketers

“…More recently, Nasr and Fisk (2018) advocate for the definition of TSR to be extended beyond "improving wellbeing" to include "reducing suffering" as a neglected TSR outcome. To do this, TSR use and adapt concepts and tools from service research (Gustafsson et al, 2015) to address contemporary social issues (Loomba, 2017).…”

Analysis of Scientific Production on Transformative Consumer Research and Transformative Service Research

“…Recent studies in the field of Transformative Service Research discuss how researchers in service area, professionals, agencies and the community can contribute to the transformation of consumers (e.g., Johns & Davey, 2019;Loomba, 2017). This is the reason why TSR is a research movement that recognizes the role of services and works with consumer research to increase the potential of human development and the individuals' well-being (Loomba, 2017).…”

Scaring the bras off women

“…There is emerging research on the role of social support from a transformative service perspective. Examples are social support of online communities for vulnerable consumers (Parkinson et al , 2017), the use of cancer centers to provide social support (Rosenbaum and Smallwood, 2013), child helplines and types of support for children (van Dolen and Weinberg, 2017), and human trafficking (Loomba, 2017). This evidence-base of the importance of social support for health and the growing body of research on social support in transformative services provides a platform for understanding other health and transformative service practices, such as the recruitment of consumers.…”