Human Trafficking: Health Issues Faced by Victims
Human trafficking can be defined as the recruitment, transfer or harboring of persons, through the use of force, deception, abduction or coercion, for the purpose of exploitation, slavery or involuntary solitude (Case Act, 2012). It is estimated that there are approximately 20 to 30 million persons serving as slaves as a result of trafficking across the world (DoSomething.Org, n.d). According to the U.S. State Department, between 600,000 and 800, 000 people are trafficked across international borders every year (DoSomething.Org, n.d.). Worryingly, 80% of these are women (DoSomething.Org, n.d.). In the U. S, human trafficking rates are highest in the State of California (Case Act, 2012). This has been attributed to the state's extensive ports, large economy, international borders and large population (Case Act, 2012). It is estimated that between 14, 500 and 17, 500 persons are trafficked into the U.S. every year (DoSomething.Org, n.d). Women make up an astonishing 55% of these, whereas men make up the remaining 45% (DoSomething.Org, n.d). These statistics indicate that the victims of human trafficking in the U.S. and beyond are predominantly women. This is why women have been selected as the target group for this analysis.
Trafficked women face numerous challenges and human rights issues based on the specific purpose for which they were trafficked. The European Commission on...
She worked at a bar dedicated to prostitution, and was expected to send 300 Euros to her mother and sister in Romania at the end of every week. As a prostitute, Teodora faced some serious health issues including the risk of unwanted pregnancies, sexually transmitted diseases and HIV / AIDS. Moreover, she explains that she hated and disgusted herself because of what she had been forced to become. Thus in addition to the physical health issues, victims also face mental health issues characterized by feelings of disbelief, denial, shock, humiliation, shame and helplessness. She mentions that the physical effects may heal, but the internal scars remain with you for the rest of your life.
Another victim, identified literally as 'Cristina' explains how she was married off against her will at the age of 13 and trafficked to Spain by her 18-year-old husband. In Spain, she was forced to steal and engage in burglary as her husband…
