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Trauma Impact of Sex Trafficking on Victims


Trauma has been described or defined vastly. Traumatic events have been described as those that overwhelm the ordinary human adaptions to life.


Individual trauma results from an event, series of events or set of circumstances experienced, physically or emotionally, life harmful or life threatening. Such that have or has adverse effects on the individual’s function and mental, physical, social emotional or spiritual well being.


  • Those exposed to prolonged child sexual abuse as they are being trafficked especially if it has resulted in personality or dissociative disorders.


There are physical and mental health effects of sex trafficking. We often wonder what goes on in the minds and bodies of a sex trafficked woman and girl.

  • They suffer loss of basic human rights.

  • Loss of everything called dignity - completely stripped off victims.

  • Loss of one's childhood is a cause of disruption in families.

  • There is severe mental health issue.

  • They usually experience severe anxiety disorder.

  • May indulge in substance abuse.

  • There is a relationship between trauma and mental disorder among trafficked and

sexually abused women and girls.


The Traumatic events they encountered is associated with mental health among the victims.


The injuries and sexual violence sustained during trafficking cause high levels of PTSD. Post-traumatic Stress disorder, depression and anxiety. Sudden cry, avoidance, inability to plan for futures, loss of interest in things. Traffic in persons is human right violation and must be treated as such.


Trafficking in person involves recruitment and movement of individuals by force, coercion, or deception. These reduce their self-esteem to the lowest level. Self-worth is eroded completely. Men, women and children are trafficked and exploited in economic sectors as construction, farming, fishing, textiles and mining: Trafficking of women and girls are mostly done for forced prostitution.


This is the most recognized form of trafficking Because of the extreme sexual, physical and psychological abuses, associated with this form of gender based violence.


Women and girls who are trafficked and sexually exploited through forced sex work or in other circumstances as domestic servitude need mental health check. Something tragic has happened in their lives.


We shall continue to advocate for urgent need for psychological support services for sex trafficked persons particularly women and girls assault, coercion, threats of harm to self and family.


Women and girls in this situation have little ability to manage events affecting their health and safety. Sex trafficked victims cannot determine when they work or sleep or what they eat. They cannot determine how many clients to see or accept and whether they protect themselves as in condom usage.


Sex trafficking causes increased risked of PSTD and depression.


Another way sex trafficked women and girls are affected is psychological trauma derived from daily mental abuse and torture, stress related disorder disorientation, confusion, phobias and panic attacks. Majority of sex trafficked women and girls have depression, anxiety and PTSD.


Some experienced DESNOS Disorder of extreme stress. Some have secondary psychological issues eg. alcohol, drug abuse and medical illness adding to the psychological burden of sex trafficking.


The thought of being purchased like commodities and ending up like damaged goods.


Forms of physical abuse is indeed a systematic torture of body and mind. Rotten eggs clean shells. This describes and also explains the deep trauma sex trafficked individuals suffer in the inside masked on the outside. There is an accumulation of such daily victimizations and Traumatic experience. Victims have high rates of mental health disorder and hidden pains. The Kind of hopelessness they feel is indescribable.


Female victims experience Multiple Forms of Trauma as said, sexual abuse, psychological abuse, violence and extortion. Some of the symptoms to add to what we mentioned are fear of being alone, fear and distrust of strangers, recurring memories of abuse. Inferiority complex – Thinking they will never be good enough, fear of rejection and sexual problems.

Oversexualised behaviours or lack of sexual desires, emotional numbness, and memory loss affects the victim’s interpersonal relationships. This leads to intergenerational cycles of victimization.


Treatment


How to deal with the impact of the trauma on sex trafficked victims


Trauma informed services are needed to address the cases and needs. Trauma informed mental health care, this has to be person centered and culturally appropriate.


Trauma informed care is a very essential skill for healthcare providers to prevent traumatization.


This considers patients Individually as if they experience individually.


Careful use of language. Employees and victims to be offered trauma treatment. It is strength based, offering physical psychological and emotional safety for both providers and survivors. It is specific and tailored interventions, understanding and responding to the impact of the sex trafficking on victims.


Trauma informed practice is a strength based approach to healing, it creates opportunities for sex affected people to rebuild a sense of control and empowerment.

  • It provides self-supportive environment that protects against physical harm and re-traumatization.

  • Emphasizing skill building instead of managing symptoms.


Focus is on what happened to a person not what is wrong with the person. This kind of trauma is an experience that influences an individual’s identity.


It address individual physical and emotional safety (Trauma Informed Care)


It provides;

  • Safety

  • Choice

  • Collaboration

  • Transformation

  • Empowerment



Method


  • Using the 4RS - Realizing Recognizing Responding Resisting

  • Mindfulness Therapy

  • Acceptance Therapy

  • Commitment Meditation

  • Adventure Therapy

  • Art Therapy

  • Music Therapy

  • Psychosocial therapy


Trauma – focused cognitive, behavioral therapy for children affected by sexual abuse or Trauma is recommended.


Lastly victim often believe they will never succeed in good parenting.


Modupe Adelanwa

Executive Director

SHIELDTHEM SUPPORT ORGANIZATION

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