It takes a community to save a child”

Child trafficking knowledge of the Portuguese community

Bibliographic Data

ID11045005
AuthorsGabriela Martinho (0000-0003-0225-5632, School of Psychology, University of Minho, Escola de Psicologia Universidade do Minho Campus de Gualtar Braga Portugal, corresponding author), Marcelo Gonçalves (0000-0002-6174-0163, School of Psychology, University of Minho, Escola de Psicologia Universidade do Minho Campus de Gualtar Braga Portugal), Marlene Matos (0000-0002-2194-839X, School of Psychology, University of Minho, Escola de Psicologia Universidade do Minho Campus de Gualtar Braga Portugal)
Year2022
Volume50
Issue2
Pages1028-1047
Publication date2022-03-01
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Community Psychology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0090-4392 • E-ISSN: 1520-6629
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1002/jcop.22698
PMID34460945
OpenAlexW3197262501
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited23

This study aims to explore the knowledge of the Portuguese community on child trafficking. Through an online inventory, with a sample of 492 community members, with a mean age of 40.53 and mostly female (70.7%), participants were more knowledgeable about forms of exploitation, risk and vulnerability factors, the profile of the victims, and the situation in Portugal about child trafficking. On the contrary, they were less knowledgeable about the dynamics of child trafficking. Having a college education, and contacting with the subject through informal or/and formal sources were predictors of a higher level of knowledge of child trafficking. This study reinforces the importance of the community as a whole in fighting child trafficking. To protect children against child trafficking, public policies should prioritize the role of the community. An empowered community can actively contribute to the prevention, signaling, and (re)integration of victims of child trafficking

Portuguese · Child Welfare and Adoption · HIV, Drug Use, Sexual Risk · Psychology · Sex work and related issues

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