Investigating the operational process and decision-making of child trafficking in Southwest China

Using a new database from China Judgments Online between 1990 and 2020, this study focuses on child trafficking in Southwest China. This study provides the spatial analysis and crime script analysis to examine the pattern and operational steps involved in child trafficking and the decisions made by offenders in different phrases. The results showed that habitual residence of offenders and the origin where trafficking occurs tend to overlap in space. Offenders tended to find target close to their home area, then they prefer to operate in groups of 3 to 5 members and have loose and fluid structures. Offenders preferred to move children by car in short-distance transportation, while they would prioritize the trains, followed by buses in long-distance transportation. Child trafficking spanned a continuum involving the acquiring/purchase, transfer, keeping, advertising/introduction and sale. Offenders made decisions in different phases of child trafficking and the reasons for doing so depended on whether it was at the onset or progression of trafficking. The ease of achieving a target, expected risk and expected profits are the three key factors influencing offenders. The results provide novel evidence for targeted efforts to combat and prevent child trafficking.