American Journal of Public Health
Volume 98, Issue 1, 2008, Pages 55-59

The health of trafficked women: A survey of women entering posttrafficking services in Europe (Article)

Zimmerman C.* , Hossain M. , Yun K. , Gajdadziev V. , Guzun N. , Tchomarova M. , Ciarrocchi R.A. , Johansson A. , Kefurtova A. , Scodanibbio S. , Motus M.N. , Roche B. , Morison L. , Watts C.
  • a Gender Violence and Health Centre, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Department of Public Health and Policy, Keppel St, London WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom
  • b Gender Violence and Health Centre, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
  • c Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
  • d International Organization for Migration, Kiev, Ukraine, International Organization for Migration, Chisinau, Moldova
  • e International Organization for Migration, Kiev, Ukraine, International Organization for Migration, Chisinau, Moldova
  • f Animus Association Foundation and La Strada-Buglaria, Sophia, United States
  • g Associazione on the Road, Martinsicuro, Italy
  • h Eaves Housing, London, United Kingdom
  • i La Strada-Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Republic
  • j Associazione on the Road, Martinsicuro, Italy
  • k International Organization for Migration, Kiev, Ukraine, International Organization for Migration, Chisinau, Moldova
  • l Gender Violence and Health Centre, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
  • m Gender Violence and Health Centre, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
  • n Gender Violence and Health Centre, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom

Abstract

Trained counselors interviewed 192 women who had been trafficked and sexually exploited about abuse and evaluated their physical and mental health status within 14 days of entry into posttrafficking services. Most reported physical or sexual violence while trafficked (95%), pretrafficking abuse (59%), and multiple posttrafficking physical and psychological problems. Newly identified trafficked women require immediate attention to address posttrauma symptoms and adequate recovery time before making decisions about participating in prosecutorial or immigration proceedings or returning home.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

symptomatology hospitalization psychological aspect Europe clinical feature mental health human immigration middle aged statistics Health Surveys Humans classification Adolescent Domestic Violence Severity of Illness Index female prostitution sexual abuse scoring system women's health Article health care health care organization adult posttraumatic stress disorder Sex Offenses psychotrauma sexual crime health survey
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-38449114325&doi=10.2105%2fAJPH.2006.108357&partnerID=40&md5=fce89f9c57940cc35d725c1a121aee72
DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2006.108357
ISSN: 00900036
Cited by: 130
Original Language: English