MedicalResearch.com Interview with: Dr. Rebecca Finkel PhD Queen Margaret University Edinburgh, Scotland, UK and Madelon Finkel, Ph.D. Director Professor of Clinical Public Health Weill Cornell Medical College, NY, NY Medical Research: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings? Drs. Finkel: Human trafficking is as complex human rights and public health issue. One of the authors (RF) studied the issue at the Vancouver Olympic Games and felt that there needed to be more research on this topic. Much of the problem is that the issue of human trafficking for sexual exploitation at mega global sporting events is difficult to quantify given the clandestine nature of the industry. This is not to say that human trafficking for sexual exploitation does not occur. It almost certainly exists, but to what extent is the big question and to what extent do global events have an impact (if at all)? Our article shows that there are few well-designed empirical studies that address the issue of human trafficking, especially as it relates to mega sporting events. The extant literature presents gaps in: a) understanding the actual scope of the international human trafficking situation; b) establishing links between human trafficking and mega sporting events despite anecdotal testimonies and moral panics often fueled by international media; and, c) public health implications for victims of human trafficking. (more…)