Risk Factors For Mental Disorders

This paper will explore human trafficking and the effects on its victims. The purpose of this paper is to design a research proposal on observable and indistinct characteristics. Outcomes of human trafficking vary widely and include mental disorders, trauma and resilience, pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. Some may experience physical and mental abuse, along with physical exhaustion and starvation. Regardless of specific national differences, human trafficking characteristics are comparable among other countries. These common traits that individuals experience through trafficking are observable in any nation regardless of geographical location. These characteristics also can be found in regions that are considered first, second,

Mental disorders and other issues are present and common for a person who has been through such a crime. “The psychological and physical trauma associated with trafficking and performing sexual acts under duress can be devastating.” Kaylor, Leah. "Psychological Impact of Human Trafficking and Sex Slavery Worldwide: Empowerment and Intervention." Web. 10 May. 2016 Victims of human trafficking are subject to harsh treatment. They are forced to do many things they do not want to do. Understandably, individuals can become scarred of these experiences. As explained by the US Department of State, “ Because traffickers dehumanize and objectify their victims, victims’ innate sense of power, visibility, and dignity often become obscured. Traffickers also use coercive tactics and force to make their victims feel worthless and emotionally imprisoned. As a result, victims can lose their sense of identity and

Human trafficking has received increasing global attention over the past decade. Trafficking of women and girls for forced sex work and, to a lesser extent, domestic servitude, were the sole focus of advocacy and assistance. There is recognition in today’s society that women, children, and men are trafficked into many different forms of labour, and for sexual exploitation. In her article, “Understanding and Addressing Violence Against Women”, Cathy Zimmerman and Heidi Stockl focus on the commonality of human trafficking and how evident it is in everyday life. They bring in the health effects and possible solutions to human trafficking to help validate their opinion and argument. In the solutions they offer, Zimmerman and Stockl shine a light on policy-makers/decision-makers, health-care providers, and researchers/funders and what each of these groups of people can do to help combat the issue of human trafficking. In a quote from their article, Stockl and Zimmerman say: “Health care providers and organizations involved with trafficked persons should increase their capacity to identify and refer people in trafficking situations and provide sensitive and safe services to people post-trafficking”. This quote shows how Zimmerman and Stockl believe human trafficking should be combated by caring and talking to those affected by the issue but how they also believe awareness should be made about human trafficking so as to allow people surrounding the issue to identify and help victims of this issue. Zimmerman and Stockl’s view on the ways human trafficking should be combatted relate to those of Soroptimist due to the fact that the two groups of people are focused mainly on helping women and girls who have been trafficked and trying to get them to a better life after getting out of the trafficking situation. Both groups focus on helping men as well, providing options to help them such as raising money and awareness, and getting educated on being able to identify victims of human trafficking.

The problem with sex trafficking is that it is not only illegal, but the lasting effects it has on the victim are detrimental. Sex trafficking has been shown to increase the chance of sexually transmitted infections, post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, unsafe abortions, malnutrition, and sexual violence (Konstantopoulos et al., 2013). There is an estimated 4.5 million people that become victims of sex trafficking; 98% of those are women and young girls (Konstantopoulos et al., 2013).

This paper is on the Psychological effects that Human Trafficking has on a society and the individual. It will describe stories of experiences and stories of hard ache. As this is not only a major factor here in the United States but is also a major factor and issue around the world. I will briefly describe the national and worldly effect that this may have on the way people are treated on an everyday occurrence and how sheltered people, mainly women have become.

For example, victims cannot freely leave or return to their living or working environments, is unpaid or paid little or only through tips, works excessively long hours or at around unusual hours, is not not allowed breaks or suffers strange restrictions at work, owes a significantly large amount of debt and cannot pay it off, was recruited underneath a guise of false promises, and obscene amounts of security measures exist at his or her working or living environments, like boarded or barred windows, barbed wires, or security cameras (National Human Trafficking Hotline). In addition, many victims possess poor mental health or display abnormal behavior, like constant fear, anxiety, paranoia, and submissiveness, even continuously avoiding eye contact (National Human Trafficking Hotline). In like manner, many victims get suspicious or anxious after hearing mentions of law enforcement, even in just normal day to day conversations (National Human Trafficking Hotline). For this reason, many victims similarly lack medical care or are denied medical attention, appear malnourished, show serious signs of physical or sexual abuse, and show signs of physical restraint or confinement (National Human Trafficking Hotline). Lastly, many victims lack control of their own possessions, like financial records, bank accounts, passport, ID, or money (National Human Trafficking Hotline). If these trait in victims are not broken, many victims almost always return to their trafficker. It is a sad reality, but it happens nevertheless. This is why rescue is just not enough, especially when trafficker not only physically damage victims, but also mentally. They need places to safely heal, without fearing that their traffickers might find them again, but shelters just cannot take in extra victims. It is not because they do not want to, but because of

Victims of sex trafficking need better access to mental health treatment. In a study conducted by The Lancet Global Health, “ More than sixty people in the study showed signs of depression. Nearly forty percent reportedly had anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder.” (Sam P.K. Collins) The victims of sex trafficking usually have a fragile state of mind, due to the fact they have no control over their lives. Sold states, “You will take men to your room...And do whatever they ask of you. You will work here, like the other girls, until your debt is paid off.”(106) In the National Institutes of Health Reviews of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sex Trafficking of Women and Girls states, “ In one study, providers reported that sex-trafficked women were less stable, more isolated, had higher levels of fear, more severe trauma, and greater mental health needs than other victims of crime.” (Neha A Deshpande, BA and Nawal M Nour, MD,

(2014). Evidence-Based Practice: Developing a Trauma-Informed Lens to Case Management for Victims of Human Trafficking. Glob Soc Welf Global Social Welfare, 1(4), 169-177.

The most frequent victims of human trafficking are usually young women and children. The women are usually runaway girls who have experienced sexual trauma during their upbringing, immigrants/foreigners, and prostitutes. Human trafficking doesn’t exclude men. The men are usually trafficked for different types of work than women and children. This research paper will highlight the popular ploys/schemes used to capture victims, different types of human trafficking, the physical, psychological, and emotional endured by the victims and their families and what life as a survivor feels like.

The impact on child victims of trafficking in terms of physical child is still in its infancy and not yet fully formed. Being a victim of trafficking in prostitution obviously affect physical development because of the work carried out can damage the reproductive organs and contracting sexually transmitted diseases. While the child victims of trafficking possible psychiatric disorder caused by physical abuse, social isolation, sexual violence and fear or shame. These conditions impact creates fear, trauma and depression in victims. as well as psychosocial disorders, in which the victim will experience fear, aggressiveness, withdrawal and difficulties in dealing with others, such as the difficulties to study, hang out, and others is a normal

Some victims feel embarrassed by what they have done or are forced to do. “Victims from all cultures and in both sex and labor cases may be profoundly ashamed about their victimization. Constant denigration, psychological manipulation and violence can cause victims blame themselves for being forced or tricked into a their current situation, and make them reluctant to try and contact family or friends” (Word Press, 2107). Deep trauma can result in victims not coming forward. “Trauma can manifest in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, social withdrawal, anxiety disorders, or suicidal tendencies. Victims may find the situation hopeless or withdraw all together as a coping mechanism” (Word Press, 2107). Some victims feel they need their trafficker. “Stockholm syndrome, or forming strong emotional bonds with a captor or abuser, is not rare in trafficking victims. Over a long period of time the exploitation a victim experiences may become normalized and internalized, allowing them to bond further with their abuser” (Word Press, 2107). Victims need help and a way out. Sometimes victims need others to see the signs and show them a way out.

The main negative outcome is that it is common for victims of human trafficking to develop trauma that will affect the victim for most to all of their life. There is a never ending cycle of psychological damage that is caused by human trafficking. The human trafficking victim will typically have a long-term psychological harm, and it involves the environment around the victim. In the article Treating the Hidden Wounds, it states that "Victims of human trafficking may suffer from anxiety, panic disorder, major depression, substance abuse, and eating disorders as well as a combination"(Clawson, Dutch, Solomon, & Grace, N.d). This evidence portrays that not only is the victim being hurt physically, but mentally as well. This type of high anxiety can cause significant setbacks for the victim attempting to become a part of society again. It is also possible for the victim to develop Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) since the experience is traumatic. Although, it does not stop there since the victim can also receive health problems, due to the stress affecting the body. The illness can range from headaches to pains in the

Caring for Trafficked Persons provides detailed instructions on how health care providers should spot and serves both current victims and survivors. The book begins with a description of human trafficking and the possible health risks associated with their victimization. The book stresses the safety of both the patient and provider during interactions. It also advises providers on how to proceed legally with reporting suspicions.

The impact that sex trafficking has on a victim can last for a lifetime. Women are often physically branded with tattoos or beatings to mark them as their captor’s property, stripping them of any basic human rights. Physical batterings and incessant rape by strangers are common, spreading sexually transmitted diseases like HIV/AIDS and depleting a country’s human and financial resources over time. In many cases, victims are drugged regularly so that they become addicted to the substance and in turn are less likely to abandon their captors. Post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, insomnia and other consequences of sexual slavery can permanently impair those who have been subjected to the horrors of captivity.

As a byproduct of war, terrorism, and economical instability women involved in sex trafficking has been and still is a severe international issue. We can see the bold impact of sex trafficking in women when