From victim blaming to victim agency

Abstract

This chapter considers how individuals’ agency can lead them towards situations of modern slavery. It debates the usefulness of victim terminology and the impact its use has on generating unrealistic depictions of those who suffer modern slavery, which therefore risks encouraging misunderstandings among the public, practitioners (such as police and social workers), and victims themselves. The chapter challenges the notion that victimhood and agency are mutually exclusive, and demonstrates the prevalence of agency in the lead up to situations of modern slavery. It also considers the interplay between structure and agency in generating and perpetuating situations of modern slavery. These are all fundamental aspects in understanding who is vulnerable to becoming a victim of modern slavery, why they are at risk, and the conditions that might exacerbate the likelihood of victimisation.