This presentation examines the psychological and legal dimensions of human trafficking and forced labor at sea through the lens of the dialogical approach in social representations theory. Drawing on the transdisciplinary collaboration fostered by COST Action Blue Rights (the COST Action focuses on the protection of liberty at sea, rooted in the ethical assumptions about human dignity and freedom, inherent to the concept of human rights), we explore how insights from psychology - particularly regarding complex trauma, coercion, and isolation - can inform the practices of legal professionals, policymakers, and government representatives engaged in protecting human rights at sea. Forced labor will be contextualized within broader discussions of decent work and responsible consumption, highlighting the structural push and pull factors that drive trafficking and exploitation. We will point out how this type of interdisciplinary collaboration might contribute towards specific SDGs, including "Life Below Water" that is rarely considered by psychologists, as forced labor and trafficking are particularly relevant in fishing activities (what in legal studies is referred to as "the conservation and management of fisheries resources").
Using narratives from migrants trafficked into exploitative labor, we discuss how lived experience can both enrich and complicate policy responses, while interrogating the legal weight of personal testimony in judicial proceedings. We argue that while survivors' stories are essential in shaping public understanding and accountability, expectations placed on individual testimony often overlook the psychological realities of trauma disclosure. In this respect, we consider the role of professionals such as psychologists, social workers, and lawyers in co-constructing and mediating such narratives. By integrating psychological knowledge with legal frameworks, we aim to demonstrate how a human-rights-based approach can more effectively address the complexities of forced labor at sea and strengthen protections of liberty and dignity.