Exploring human trafficking myth endorsement: A study of Thai police personnel

Trafficking in persons is estimated to affect millions of individuals worldwide. In Thailand, police officers are considered key actors in identifying, responding to, and investigating potential cases of human trafficking. Despite their significant role and national recognition as integral personnel in Thailand's efforts to combat human trafficking in various capacities, we know little about police officers’ perceptions and understanding of this phenomenon. Using survey data, we examine levels of myth endorsement among a sample of 522 Thai police personnel. Results indicate that significant differences exist between certain groups of officers based on individual-level characteristics, with officer status, belief and victim blame, and self-reported training being particularly salient. Generally, police in this study tend to endorse many common human trafficking myths. The implications and directions for future research are discussed.