Identifying human trafficking in Norway: A register-based study of cases, outcomes and police practices

Abstract

This article examines the identification of human trafficking crimes in Norway. By combining two different sources of police registry data that contain the total set of human trafficking cases reported to the Norwegian police between 2003 and 2013, the study examines the role of the police in the creation of human trafficking complaints, the characteristics of the complaints and their outcomes. Findings suggest that, despite a growing number of reported human trafficking complaints, the police seem to play a decreasing part in the identification of human trafficking crimes. The potential under-representation of police initiatives and its consequences for case outcomes is discussed in light of a theory of discretionary decision-making among police officials.