The topic that will be discussed in this essay is the effects human trafficking has on victim’s mental health and why it is so important to procure psychological help for the victims as soon as possible. Every effort must be made to ensure victims of human trafficking are looked after and cared for once they have been rescued from their captors’ grasps. Otherwise if the patients are left without care they may end up with life altering consequences. Or, the victims may end up self-medicating with street drugs. Blakey et al., (2015). tells us that there is an utmost need for proper treatment for the victims. The following eight literature reviews will highlight the need for extensive medical care for victims of human trafficking and why it is …show more content…
Most of human trafficking in the United states occurs through the means of the internet. Human trafficking victims are often found in trade areas such as beauty salons, massage parlors, bus stations, truck stops, casinos, motels, restaurants, bars, cantinas, streets, strip clubs and finally of course prostitution. An article by Clawson et al., (2017). states that the emotional effects of trauma can be persistent and devastating. Victims of human trafficking may suffer from conditions such as anxiety, panic disorder, major depression, substance abuse, and eating disorders as well as a combination of these. For some victims, the trauma caused by people they may have trusted resulting in a constant mistrust of others and their motives. Therefore, the impact of trauma can make the job of healthcare personals, police officers and EMT trying to help victims difficult at best. Domoney et al., (2015). states that research shows there are several scenarios in which healthcare professionals may come across victims of trafficking. Victims may seek care while they are in situations of exploitation, or after having escaped. It is important for healthcare professional to know how to detect signs that suggest exploitation or abuse. …show more content…
Reminds us that there are many physical consequences of being trafficked as well. These can include a wide range of health problems resulting from occupational, trauma, and living condition-related risk exposures. Combine this with the mental and emotional anguish the victims sustain, and it should be clear to everyone that these people need help. As society we must embrace one another in providing care. Otherwise, there can be a damaging effect not only to the victims but to our communities. Victims who feel supported and have a positive mental health care team in their corner are more likely to succeed in their recovery and less likely to end up in the same traps that lured them originally. Conclusively, there is no reason that human trafficking victims should be left on their own once they have been rescued from the world that they were submerged in. Every person specializing in the field of human trafficking has time and time again stressed the importance of ensuring the victims receive proper mental healthcare. Therefore, we must ensure this objective is met in order to ensure the victims are able to lead successful and meaningful
This study examines the research that initially began on October 28, 2000 and spanned through to October 31, 2009. If a human trafficking case occurred in the US, with the victim being under the age of 18, and at least one arrested, indicted or convicted felon, their case would be filed in the data analysis report. This research resulted in the finding of 115 separate incidents of human trafficking, involving at least 153 victims and 215 felons or perpetrators, 117 (53.4%) of them being convicted of their heinous actions. Each individual case consisted of anywhere between 1 to 9 victims of trafficking. 90% of these victims were females between the ages of 5 to 17 years who were held captive from less than 6 months to 5 years. 25 (16.3%) of these minors were exploited through some type of false promise and 15 (9.8%) were kidnapped. 34 (22.2%) of the victims were abused through com...
According to the Office for Victims of Crime, crimes committed against human trafficking victims can lead to the destruction of basic life assumptions; that one is safe from harm, one is a good and decent person, and the world is meaningful and just (Office for Victims of Crime, 1998). Working through the psychological trauma experienced by trafficking victims can require long-term, comprehensive mental health therapy (Briere & Scott, 2014). The health care response to trafficking victims in the United States differs greatly from efforts made by governments and health care entities. The health care response to trafficking victims in the United States differs greatly from efforts made by governments and health care entities in developing countries. In many developing countries, governments have allocated no financial support for programs to combat human trafficking, or for programs to provide medical care to victims. Lack of funding, trained medical staff and the stigmatization placed on many victims once back in their home countries can make access to appropriate health care virtually
Criminal penalties for human trafficking include prison sentences up to 15-years-to-life and fines up to $1,500,000. There is a much higher risk than reward. Therefore the average American willing to do this is usually not too bright. The trafficking of women and adolescents is increasingly recognized as one of the world’s fastest growing crimes and a significant violation of human rights. Despite the need for evidence on the physical and psychological health consequences to inform rapidly emerging policies and services for trafficked persons, there is limited evidence about the needs of women who have been trafficked. The health of women and adolescent girls trafficked for sexual exploitation in Mexico have been
Psychological aspects generally play a huge role in these cases, and victims are often verbally and emotionally abused.... ... middle of paper ... ... Whether it be a matter of turning a blind eye or simply not knowing, human trafficking takes place every day, in every state in the United States of America, home of the free.
Trafficking is the recruitment, harboring, transportation and provision of a person for the purpose of commercial sex. American trafficking victims are estimated to be between 100,000 and 300,000. Most of these are from the million are so children that are thrown out of their home or they have run away usually to escape abuse and/or sexual violence. (Shelley, pg. 230) The law says that a person under the age of 18 has to have been defrauded, forced or coerced into the sex trade against their will. Sex trafficking venues are wide and vast. Victims of sex trafficking can be found in brothels, strip clubs, esc...
The United States is a major port for human trafficking and, “Due to the covert nature of human trafficking, it is difficult to ascertain which countries are the primary source nations for trafficking into the US” (Hepburn). People of all ages and genders are at risk to human trafficking (Hepburn). Women and girls make up about fifty-six percent of the people trafficked for forced labor, while men and boys make up the other forty-four percent; children make up forty to fifty percent of those numbers (Hepburn). Ninety-eight percent of the people trafficked for sexual explorations are women and girls (Hepburn). Children tend to be targeted more than adults because they are much more vulnerable. Human trafficking has different forms, and “While trafficking for the purposes of commercial sexual exploitation is more publicized in the media, it is not the only form of trafficking that takes place in the US” (Hepburn). Trafficking for the purposes of forced labor is just as likely to occur as trafficking for the purposes of sexual exploitation (Hepburn). Many citizens have never heard of human trafficking for something other than sexual exploitation. Hepburn shows that, “Forty-three percent are trafficked for purposes of...
“People were created to be loved. Things were created to be used. The reason why the world is in chaos is because things are being loved and people are being used” (“27 Human Trafficking” 1). Occurring in every part of the world, human trafficking is a widespread, large problem. Many women and children are affected by human trafficking, causing their lives to be completely transformed. Once some women’s lives are changed, they will never return to normal again. Human sex trafficking is a growing problem that affects women emotionally, physically, and psychologically.
Summary: We see that there are many different aspects and types of human trafficking that everyone should be made aware of. As a whole human trafficking is a lucrative industry raking in $150 BILLION globally. The impact that this industry has on its victims is
What is human trafficking? Human trafficking, according the dictionary.com’s definition, is the illegal movement of people, typically for the purposes of forced labor or commercial sexual exploitation. However there are many different forms of human trafficking and one that has caught my eye is the form called sex trafficking. This is very important because many young teenage girls around my age are affected by it the most and they grow up being a sex slave. Although majority of the victims are young girls, human trafficking affects everyone: male, female, young, and old. There are very few people out here hearing their cry. We are very blind to this topic in the United States because its not very well-known and also because it’s such a big
Studies have been performed to see whether or not sex trafficking victims suffer from mental disorders upon entering the world post-trafficking. The Abas et al. (2013) study takes in to the account, the victims’ pre-trafficking conditions such as whether or not they were abused as a child as well as the place that the victim was being trafficke...
The effect that trafficking has on their victims is the same effect that people have when they were raped, sexually harassed, etc. People who were trafficked tend to suffer from serious health problems including physical health, reproductive health and mental health problems. Mostly women but men too tend to go into physical exhaustion and become victims of unwanted touching, grabbing, oral sex, anal sex, etc. Mental wise the victim might have many emotional effects, severe stress and depression.
Human trafficking is a form of slavery, forcing victims to engage in sexual activities and labors against their will. These activities can be taken place through force, fraud, or constraint. Human trafficking is not just affecting one group of people, it is a worldwide issue, affecting all different ages, genders, ethnicities, and socio-economic backgrounds. Human trafficking is such an immense problem, apprehending the true size, knowing how to help, and how to keep the issue from reoccurring. Human trafficking is and is still becoming such a serious issue that something needs to be done about.
Trafficking in humans is a massive underground industry throughout the United States as well as close to home, mainly Chicago and it’s suburbs. “Human Trafficking is the recruiting, harboring,moving or obtaining a person by force, fraud or coercion, for the purposes of involuntary servitude, debt bondage or sexual exploitation( Human Trafficking in Illinois ).” Human Trafficking is one of the largest and is the fastest growing criminal industry in the world. Annually, 9.5 billion dollars of profits are generated from trafficking humans worldwide. “Persons do not have to have been transported internationally to be considered victims of trafficking” (Facts about Human Trafficking).
Human trafficking, or the selling and buying of people, is a well-hidden yet prominent issue within today’s society. It is both an immoral and horrific topic that needs brought to attention and dealt with. When human beings are manipulated into work, sexual servitude, or economic hardship, human trafficking is occurring. In the year of 2006, only one individual is convicted of human trafficking per 800 victims (UNGIFT). By looking at straight statistics, reasons human trafficking happens, and the toll it has on people, it is very clear that this is a major issue that is happening in our world.
Trafficking is recognized as a major health problem and tragic transnational crime (Muftic). Most people think the physical abuse from trafficking is the worst part about it. What most people do not know, is the mental abuse can be just as horrifying if not more. The women who are trafficked have poorer health outcomes, and more intense and prolonged psychological reactions to abuse than women who are not trafficked (Muftic). When a woman's sexuality is violently used or abused, it is far more damaging to her than words, fists, or any other abuse that could be heaped on her. It is an invasion of the essence of who they are. Women were reported having suicidal thoughts/attempts, feelings of anger/rage, depression, inability to feel, difficulty sleeping, self-blame/guilt, and loss of appetite (Muftic). These poor women have no idea what the trafficking life can hold for them, not just while being there but also after they have left that life. Casey Roman noticed a coping mechanism for some of the women. They will laugh off information or past memories, telling their brains that what is or was happening to them is not as bad as it really is (Roman 2). Most of these women in the life have actual disorders. In 2008, the United States Department of Health and Human Services identified the serious and complex mental health problems of sex trafficking victims. The disorders included, Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, anxiety and mood disorders, dissociative disorders, and substance related disorder (Muftic). The women might not even realize they have a disorder until they are out of the sex trafficking life and living in the normal world. It is evident that the mental effects take a negative toll on the women in sex