Health
Children who have been exploited are likely to present with a range of health problems. Although some will require long-term treatment, in the short-term children may need immediate assistance for broken bones, physical injuries, malnutrition, skin diseases and in some cases, sexual abuse-related problems such as abortions and sexually transmitted infections.
A number of children may suffer from psychological and mental health problems including depression and anxiety which will require specialist assessment and treatment by trained professionals.
Children may use alcohol and drugs as a way of 'self medicating' and disassociating from their experiences. In some cases, children may have been coerced into using substances by their exploiters in order to make them more vulnerable and easier to control. If the child has developed addictions, they will require specialist assistance and support as soon as possible.
Key texts:
- "If you shine a light you will probably find it" Report of a grassroots survey of health professionals with regard to their experiences of dealing with child sexual exploitation: Dr Paul Kirtley for the NWG Network, 2013
- Physical health symptoms reported by trafficked women receiving post-trafficking support in Moldova: prevalence, severity and associated factors: Sian Oram et al, in BMC Women's Health 2012, 12:20
- Prevalence and risk of violence and the physical, mental, and sexual health problems associated with human trafficking: Systematic review: Sian Oram et al, in PLoS Med 9 (5), 2012
- Human trafficking: What is the role of the health care provider?: Patricia A. Crane and Melissa Moreno in the Journal of Applied Research on Children: Informing Policy for Children at Risk, Vol. 2, Issue 1, 2011
- Health care providers' training needs related to human trafficking: Maximising the opportunity to effectively screen and intervene: Reena Issac, Jennifer Solak and Angelo Giardino in the Journal of Applied Research on Children: Informing Policy for Children at Risk, Volume 2, Issue 1, 2011
- Caring for trafficked persons: Guidance for health providers: IOM, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and UN.GIFT, 2009
- National symposium on the health needs of human trafficking victims:Post-symposium brief: Erin Williamson, Nicole Dutch and Heather Clawson for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, 2008
- Human trafficking and the healthcare professional: Jeffrey Barrows and Reginald Finger in the Southern Medical Journal, Volume 101, Number 5, 2008
- Forensic medical examination of victims of human trafficking in human beings: Djordje Alempijevic et al., Torture, Volume 17, Number 2, 2007
- Stolen smiles: The physical and psychological health consequences of women and adolescents trafficked in Europe: Cathy Zimmerman et al for the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, 2006
- Turning pain into power: Trafficking survivors' perspectives on early intervention strategies:Family Violence Prevention Fund, 2005
- The health risks and consequences of trafficking in women and adolescents: Findings from a European study: Cathy Zimmerman for the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, 2003
- Sexually abused and sexually exploited children and youth in the greater-Mekong sub region: A qualitative assessment of their health needs and available services: Wanjiku Kaime-Atterhog for Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, 2000
Also see texts on the psychological support and theraputic services and spiritual, cultural and religious connections pages
Key website:
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