Are Rural Moldovans Trafficked Because They Lack Awareness and Understanding about Human Trafficking?

The literature on human trafficking continues to increase; however, it generally lacks public opinions about this problem. This research paper attempts to fill this gap by analyzing a sample of Moldovan populations’ opinions and views about the different aspects of human trafficking. This report employs a case study method based on quantitative and qualitative information collected throughout 2013. The study finds that there is statistical significance in the levels of awareness and understanding of human trafficking among rural, urban, and capital city residents. It is widely believed that rural residents of Moldova are more vulnerable to being trafficked because they lack knowledge about this phenomenon, education, access to information, and economic resources. However, the results of this study prove otherwise;  the rural residents polled were the most informed about different aspects of human trafficking. These findings are of major importance since they show that anti-trafficking organizations are using inaccurate information, which directly affects the success of prevention efforts, legislation, and anti-trafficking policies.