Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health
Volume 16, Issue 3, 2014, Pages 473-480

Labour exploitation and health: A case series of men and women seeking post-trafficking services (Article)

Turner-Moss E. , Zimmerman C. , Howard L.M. , Oram S.*
  • a Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary, University of London, London, United Kingdom
  • b Department for Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
  • c Section for Women's Mental Health, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, De Crespigny Park, London SE5 8AF, United Kingdom
  • d Section for Women's Mental Health, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, De Crespigny Park, London SE5 8AF, United Kingdom

Abstract

Research on the health of trafficked men and onthe health problems associated with trafficking for labor exploitation are extremely limited. This study analysed data from a case series of anonymised case records of a consecutive sample of 35 men and women who had been trafficked for labor exploitation in the UK and who were receiving support from a non-governmental service between June 2009 and July 2010. Over three-quarters of our sample was male (77 %) and two-thirds aged between 18 and 35 years (mean 32.9 years, SD 10.2). Forty percent reported experiencing physical violence while they were trafficked. Eighty-one percent (25/31) reported one or more physical health symptoms. Fifty-seven percent (17/30) reported one or more post-traumatic stress symptoms. A substantial proportion of men and women who are trafficked for labor exploitation may experience violence and abuse, and have physical and mental health symptoms. People who have been trafficked for forced labor need access to medical assessment and treatment.

Author Keywords

Human trafficking Forced labor violence trauma

Index Keywords

Needs Assessment mental health human sex difference middle aged Cohort Studies violence statistics and numerical data health status men's health Great Britain ethnology Young Adult Humans Adolescent male female prevention and control Incidence human trafficking women's health adult age Sex Factors Age Factors United Kingdom Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic cohort analysis Sex Offenses sexual crime Health Services Accessibility health care delivery
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84904765333&doi=10.1007%2fs10903-013-9832-6&partnerID=40&md5=ce60ea6203dcb7c123b587b2b721d754
DOI: 10.1007/s10903-013-9832-6
ISSN: 15571912
Cited by: 46
Original Language: English