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PTSD and Human Trafficking (June 2020)

Human Trafficking

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can greatly impact the revictimization of a survivor of human trafficking.

By Shima Rostami, Ed.D.; Executive Director, Gateway Human Trafficking AND Erika Hatfield, M.A.; Advisory Council Member, Gateway Human Trafficking.

According to 31 studies, the effects of human trafficking on a victim’s health can span mental, physical, and sexual health. They mentioned that survivors “most commonly report mental health problems including depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder” (Ottisova, Hemmings, Howard, Zimmerman, & and Oram, 2016). Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can greatly impact the well-being of a survivor of human trafficking. The deceitful exploitation, manipulation, and physical force used on victims creates an undeniable link to PTSD. During the trafficking process victims will likely experience a combination of sexual, mental, and physical violence contributing to the 12% to 86% of trafficked individuals that are diagnosed with (Gezie, Yalew, Gete, Azale, & Brand, 2018). 

The National Institute of Mental Health defines PTSD as a disorder that develops when an individual has “experienced a shocking, scary, or dangerous event”. Individuals experiencing symptoms of this disorder may have flashbacks, difficulty sleeping, angry outburst, negative thoughts, and many other symptoms (n.d., Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, 2020). 

These symptoms create difficulties in rehabilitating survivors. A mental disorder like PTSD can affect a survivor’s education, employment, residence, and number of unmet needs. Those with pre-trafficking trauma are more likely to be diagnosed with PTSD post-trafficking. “Characteristics of the trafficking trauma itself, such as the type and severity of violence, will be most influential in delaying recovery from mental disorder” (Abas, et al., 2013). 

How to Help Someone with PTSD? 

Not communicating especially with someone is suffering from PTSD may lead to further issues. Be advised that trauma survivors, including human trafficking survivors, are often afraid to address what happened to them, family members are sometimes fearful of facing how their loved one’s PTSD impacts their lives. Family members may want to avoid talking about the issues. They may hope that if they do not talk about them, they will go away (n.d., 2020) 

Consider the following points if you are living or working with someone with PTSD (Smith & Robinson, 2019): 

  1. Provide social support for people with PTSD as they may withdraw from friends and family. However, do not pressure people with PTSD into talking, do “normal” things with them, let them take the lead, manage your own stress, accept (and expect) mixed feelings, educate yourself about PTSD, and be patient.
  2. Be a good listener and try to listen without expectations or judgments. A person with PTSD may need to talk about the traumatic event repeatedly. Some of the points that people with PTSD tell you might be extremely hard to listen to, but it is important to respect their feelings and reactions.
  3. Rebuild trust and safety in your relationships concerning individuals with PTSD as their trauma makes them see the world as a perpetually dangerous and frightening place. Create routines, speak of the future, and make plans, keep your promises, emphasize their strengths, and encourage your loved one to join a support group.
  4. Deal with volatility and anger as individuals with PTSD may experience difficulties managing emotions and impulses.
  5. Watch for signs that a person with PTSD is angry, try to remain calm, give the person space, ask how you can help, and help them manage their anger but put your safety first.

Take care of yourself by cultivating your own support system, making time for your own life, spreading the responsibility, and setting boundaries. 

FOR HELP  U.S. NATIONAL HUMAN TRAFFICKING HOTLINE

Call: 1 (888) 373-7888

SMS: 233733 (Text “HELP” or “INFO”)

Hours: 24 hours, 7 days a week

Languages: English, Spanish and 200 more languages 

EASTERN DISTRICT OF MISSOURI

Call: 314-615-8618 Email: humantrafficking@stlouisco.com

Sources: Abas, M., Ostrovschi, N. V., Prince, M., Gorceag, V. I., Trigub, C., & Oram, S. (2013). Risk factors for mental disorders in women survivors of human trafficking: a historical cohort study. BMC Psychiatry. Retrieved from http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-244X/13/204Gezie, L. D., Yalew, A. W., Gete, Y. K., Azale, T., & Brand, T. (2018). Socio‑economic, trafficking exposures and mental health symptoms of human trafficking returnees in Ethiopia: using a generalized structural equation modelling. International Journal of Mental Health Systems, 12(62), 1-13. doi:https://doi.org/10.1186/s13033-018-0241-zn.d. (2020, June 10). Help with PTSD for you and your family. Retrieved from ptsd.va.gov: https://www.ptsd.va.gov/apps/craftptsd/lesson11/11_003.htmn.d. (2020, June 11). Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Retrieved from National Institute of Mental Health: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd/index.shtml#:~:text=Overview,danger%20or%20to%20avoid%20it.Ottisova, L., Hemmings, S., Howard, L., Zimmerman, C., & and Oram, S. (2016). Prevalence and risk of violence and the mental, physical and sexual health problems associated with human trafficking: an updated systematic review. Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences, 25, 317-341.Smith, M., & Robinson, L. (2019, June). Helping Someone with PTSD. Retrieved from HelpGuide: https://www.helpguide.org/articles/ptsd-trauma/helping-someone-with-ptsd.htm

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