Human Trafficking and Aftercare: Reintegration as the Emerging Protective Aim

What is it about?

This article explores the concept of reintegration within trafficking and protection discourse. As a youth worker, protection advisor, educator and researcher based in Cambodia for nine years, 're/integration' was the most challenging puzzle I encountered. My analysis reveals that 'reintegration' is dually constructed as both the (procedural) delivery of a package of assistance, and as a (substantive) social and cultural achievement that occurs within local social groups and institutions.

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Why is it important?

The rising emphasis upon reintegration is an important signal to policy makers. A substantive conception of reintegration reminds us that justice for victims extends beyond the protection of rights alone, and suggests that the full protection of human dignity depends upon thoroughly social and cultural foundations. This is a call for further research into this emerging normative vision and the role of groups and local norms as a foundation for successful reintegration. These findings also explain the prevailing lack of clarity around 'reintegration' and propose a way forward in which the procedural provision of assistance may be aimed at promoting the rights of victims and whilst further seeking to favor the substantive attainment of reintegration.

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