The aim of the course is to gain a proper, nuanced and multi-perspective understanding of the causes, mechanisms, dynamics and complexity of a cluster of specific (crime) phenomena, i.e. sexual offending, prostitution and human trafficking, as well as of their interrelations and of societal and (criminal) policy reactions thereto.
About the course
Content
- Phenomena: trafficking in human beings, migrant smuggling, prostitution, sex work, sexual assault, violations of sexual integrity, rape, sexual harassment, sexual abuse of children and abuse of power or authority in sexual relations (family, school, Church, health and welfare, sports etc), sexual exploitation of children and child sexual abuse materials, pornography, exhibitionism, voyeurism, BDSM, necrophilia, animal sex and porn, robot and AI sex.
- Phenomenological and epidemiological data: domestic, European, international and comparative data collection and monitoring (constraints), with specific attention for mixed-source data collection challenges (surveys and self-reports, non-governmental and governmental data, criminal justice and administrative data, etc) and cross-border definitional and classification compatibility and data integration issues
- Prevention strategies (macro, meso, micro levels) and societal and (criminal) policy reactions (analysis and evaluation)
- Victim perspective: identification, reporting, support, reception, assistance, residence status, status in the criminal procedure, (video) testimony, victimization, secondary victimization and ‘victimalization’
- Offender perspective: crime syndicates, criminal organisations, corporations, pimps, commercial sex entrepreneurs, traffickers, smugglers, recruiters, passeurs, exhibitionists, rapists, sexual abusers and harassers, clients, users of victim services, porn producers and consumers etc.
- Children’s rights perspective: age of sexual consent, sexual rights, child sexual abuse (incest, intra-family, extra-family), child prostitution, children trafficking (including for adoption), child porn, (online) grooming
- Legal dimension: domestic, European, international and comparative criminal, administrative/immigration, social and extraterritorial jurisdiction law (approaches)
- Moral dimension: sexuality morality and attitudes
- Economic dimension: demand and supply (elasticity) in the commercial sexual services market, economy of prostitution careers
- Corporate dimension: chain responsibility, sectoral self-regulation (commercial sex and porn industries, travel agencies, au pair, adoption)
- Gender and gay dimensions
- Migration perspective: international and EU third country national migration (push and pull factors, migrant smuggling, trafficking in human beings, smuggling and trafficking networks and routes, sex work migration, labour migration, illegal employment of third country nationals), EU nationals (internal border crossing, free movement of workers, freedom to establish self-employed activities, posting of workers (fraud), bogus self-employment, social fraud, unaccompanied migrant minors)
- European and international policy level and actor perspective: EU (Council, European Commission, European Parliament, Fundamental Rights Agency, Europol, Eurojust, Frontex etc), Council of Europe, OSCE, IOM, ILO, UN Multi-actor perspective: police, labour and social inspection services, prosecution services, immigration services, border guards, tax administrations, city administrations, neighbourhoods, NGO's, health and welfare sector
Learning outcomes
- Understand and unveil the interaction between legal and regulatory frameworks on sexual offending, prostitution and human trafficking on the one hand (based on what is viewed or labelled as a social problem) and evaluative, normative and attitudinal frameworks and discourses regarding sexuality, sexual behavior and exploitation on the other hand
- Independently consult, analyse and critically and scientifically assess (historical) sources, (scientific) literature and (empirical) research data concerning sexual offending, prostitution and human trafficking and reactions thereto
- Apply knowledge of the European and international institutional and policy development context of criminology and criminal justice when addressing sexual offending, prostitution and human trafficking and reactions thereto
- Address sexual offending, prostitution and human trafficking multidimensionally, multi-disciplinary, through multiple (theoretical) frames and from a multi-actor perspective
- Apply in-depth knowledge of sexual offending, prostitution and human trafficking (and reactions thereto) in scientific research
- Understand and analyse current debates and issues regarding sexual offending, prostitution and human trafficking crime (and reactions thereto)
- Critically approach sexual offending, prostitution and human trafficking (and reactions thereto) through research and the application of theory
- Articulate (orally) a scientifically-reasoned, argumented opinion about sexual offending, prostitution and human trafficking (and reactions thereto) that pays due attention ethical, cultural and legal issues
- Think independently and critically about societal and (criminal) policy reactions to the phenomena of sexual offending, prostitution and human trafficking
- Write a clear report on the results of (own) scientific research and/or personal views
- Respect cultural differences, pluralism, gender and ethical standards.
Teaching methods
Lecture, Independent work
Assessment
Assessment moments: end-of-term and continuous assessment
Examination methods in case of end-of-term assessment during the first examination period: Oral assessment, Written assessment
Examination methods in case of end-of-term assessment during the resit examination period: Oral assessment, Written assessment
Examination methods in case of continuous assessment: Assignment
Possibilities of retake in case of continuous assessment: examination during the second examination period is possible
Extra Information on the examination methods:
End-of-term assessment:
- The exam is (online) oral by default; if the number of students (across the various programmes in which the course is offered) surpasses 90, the professor in charge retains the right to organise the exam for all students as a written (on-campus invigilation) exam, or to allow students the option to take the exam as a written exam.
- The exam consists of short-answer questions and open questions, both legal and non-legal. Open questions envisage testing students’ understanding and analytical and interpretational skills regarding the causes, mechanisms, dynamics, complexity and interrelations of the phenomena concerned and regarding societal and (criminal) policy reactions there to.
Continuous assessment:
Critical paper of 1,750 up to 2,000 words/person, excluding table of content, footnotes, bibliography/reference list and a mandatory annex in which students make transparent if and how
Calculation of the examination mark:
25% continuous assessment and 75% end-of-term assessment
Participation in all evaluation components (both the end-of term assessment and the continuous assessment) is mandatory. Otherwise, the student will be declared failed. This means that, if the final grade is ten or more (out of twenty), it will be reduced to the highest non-passing grade (7/20)
Lecturers
Vermeulen, Gert: lecturer-in-charge
Course dates
This course takes place in the second semester of academic year 2025-2026:
- Educational activities: February 9 to May 16, 2026
- Catch-up activities: May 18 to May 23, 2026
- Easter Recess: April 6 to April 18, 2026
- Examination period: May 26 to July 4, 2026
- Resit Examination period: August 17 to September 12, 2026
There will be one online lecture per week from February 9, 2026, to May 16, 2026. This will take place on Mondays from 16:00 pm to 18:45 pm CET. Lectures will be recorded.
How to apply?
Entry requirements: The student has successfully finished courses in criminology and/or (substantive and procedural) criminal law, has proper knowledge of European and international institutional and policy developments and sufficiently masters scientific research methods, or has obtained the above required competences in another way. The student is able to independently read and analyse articles in English.
Only students from the University of Tartu are eligible to participate
How to apply
- Check whether you meet the entry requirements listed above. You cannot apply if you don’t meet the entry requirements.
- Check with your home faculty or study programme to confirm whether this course can be included in your curriculum, so the ECTS credits will be recognized. If you are unsure who to contact, reach out to your home university’s ENLIGHT office.
- Apply by completing the Ghent University form by December 19, 2025. Places are limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Register at Ghent university. Registration instructions will follow after application.
Information per university
- University of Tartu:
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Contact
For information regarding the procedure to take part in this course:
For information regarding the course content: