The study of sex traficking in Namibia

The researcher investigated the existence, prevalence and causes of trafficking for sexual exploitation in Namibia, as well as its impact and effects on both its victims and society as a whole. Due to the complexity and dangerous nature of her topic of study, she utilized a unique method in which she identifies and capacitates specific members of the study’s target group to lead her into areas which would otherwise be too difficult for her to reach and involving them in data collection. For validity and authenticity purposes, the research was both quantitative and qualitative in nature. It combined different social research data collection techniques by administering standardized validated questionnaires to 230 respondents during in-person interviews as well as carrying out systematic field observations in key areas in 18 out of the 35 of the country’s regional metropolises and border posts from where it collected information provided by 6 Focus Group Discussion Meetings (FGDMs) and 32 key informants. This was complemented by compilation of 18 case studies representing real life stories of possible victims of human trafficking.