Psychological Coercion in Human Trafficking Baldwin, Susie B.; Fehrenbacher, Anne E.; Eisenman, David P.
Qualitative health research,
09/2015, Volume:
25, Issue:
9
Journal Article
Peer reviewed
This study examined coercive conditions experienced by trafficked persons in the context of Biderman’s theory of coercion. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 12 adult women trafficked into ...Los Angeles County, from 10 countries, for domestic work and/or sex work. Participants described health problems they experienced in relation to their trafficking experience and their perceptions of conditions that caused health problems. Utilizing a framework analysis approach, we analyzed themes using Biderman’s framework. Participants reported experiencing the range of nonphysical coercive tactics outlined by Biderman, including isolation, monopolization of perception, induced debility or exhaustion, threats, occasional indulgences, demonstration of omnipotence, degradation, and enforcement of trivial demands. Our analysis demonstrates how these coercion tactics reinforced the submission of trafficked persons to their traffickers even in the absence of physical force or restraints. Such psychological abuse creates extreme stress that can lead to acute and chronic, physical and mental health problems.
A public health approach to human trafficking involves estimating the size of the problem; identifying risk and protective factors for victimization, perpetration, survival, and resilience across ...multiple levels of the social ecology; and developing evidence-based strategies to improve victim health. Studies of child protection, domestic violence, immigration, labor regulation, minimum wage, and drug and sex criminalization laws will provide key intersectional knowledge to advance the human trafficking response. ...a robust program of research that achieves the five priority aims outlined in this agenda will make substantial advances toward achieving the US goal of reducing human trafficking and ending the suffering of the people who experience it.m Emily F. Rothman, ScD Hanni Stoklosa, MD, MPH Susie B. Baldwin, MD, MPH Makini Chisolm-Straker, MD, MPH Rumi Kato Price, PhD, MPE Holly G. Atkinson, MD, on Behalf of HEAL Trafficking CONTRIBUTORS This editorial was created collaboratively by members of the HEAL Trafficking Research Committee. HEAL comprises more than 1000 members, including physicians, mental health and behavioral specialists, nurses, advanced practice clinicians, social workers, public health professionals, attorneys, administrators, and researchers.
Full text
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As physician leaders of HEAL Trafficking, we were delighted to see human trafficking framed as a health-care issue in The Lancet Editorial “Health providers-helping to disrupt human trafficking” (Aug ...5, p 532).1 However, we were dismayed to see the tragic San Antonio case referenced definitively as human trafficking.
•We assessed parental HPV vaccine awareness and uptake among girls in 2007 and 2011.•About 3 in 4 parents remained aware of the HPV vaccine, and vaccine uptake doubled.•In 2011, being male, Asian, ...less educated, and having a son predicted unawareness.•Uptake among daughters with poor access to care and insurance markedly increased.•Interventions to increase uptake among younger adolescents merit implementation.
Trends in HPV vaccine awareness among parents of adolescent girls and boys (ages 13–17) and HPV vaccine uptake (≥1 dose) among girls (ages 13–17) were evaluated in Los Angeles County, California. Between 2007 and 2011, parental HPV vaccine awareness increased from 72% to 77% overall, with significant increases among mothers, Latinos, and respondents with daughters and Medi-Cal insured children. In 2011, parents who were male, older, less educated, Asian/Pacific Islander, and had sons remained significantly less likely to be aware. HPV vaccine initiation among daughters nearly doubled from 25% in 2007 to 48% in 2011, and girls who were older, uninsured, and had access-related barriers showed the largest improvements. In 2011, daughters who were younger and who had older and African American parents were at risk for low uptake. Thus, initiatives targeting male and younger adolescents, culturally-relevant information, and access to vaccination may help to reduce identified disparities.
The objectives of this study were (1) to assess the knowledge and perceptions of human trafficking (HT) among leaders and staff from 11 community-based organizations (CBOs) and faith-based ...organizations (FBOs) in South Los Angeles, and (2) to identify gaps in knowledge of HT and inform community organizations regarding possible best practices in health promotion for addressing this emerging public health problem. A self-administered survey was conducted during the period from 4 December 2015 to 28 January 2016. Descriptive statistics were generated and a logistic regression model was constructed using SAS 9.3. A total of 277 CBO and FBO leaders and staff completed the survey. Participants demonstrated high levels of knowledge of HT but their knowledge was not comprehensive, as gaps exist in recognizing the context in which HT usually takes place; understanding the local laws that govern this activity; and ways to follow related policies/procedures when the problem is suspected. A majority (a) believed there were not enough services in Los Angeles County to help survivors of HT, (b) could not recognize the signs of HT, and (c) did not know what steps to take if they suspected this criminal activity. A statistically significant association was found between education and participants’ knowledge of HT, and with their beliefs and attitudes toward this violation of human rights. Study findings suggest that, generally, CBO/FBO leaders and staff in South Los Angeles have good knowledge about HT. However, notable gaps in knowledge and misperceptions remain, suggesting opportunities for Public Health to further educate and intervene.
Rothman et al. Respond Rothman, Emily F; Stoklosa, Hanni; Baldwin, Susie B ...
American journal of public health (1971),
02/2018, Volume:
108, Issue:
2
Journal Article
Peer reviewed
Open access
Full text
Available for:
CEKLJ, FSPLJ, ODKLJ, UL, VSZLJ
Background
An estimated 18,000 individuals are trafficked into the United States each year from all over the world, and are forced into hard labor or commercial sex work. Despite their invisibility, ...some victims are known to have received medical care while under traffickers' control. Our project aimed to characterize trafficking victims' encounters in US health care settings.
Methods
The study consisted of semi-structured interviews with six Key Informants who work closely with trafficking victims (Phase I) and 12 female trafficking survivors (Phase II). All survivors were recruited through the Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking, an NGO in Los Angeles, and all were trafficked into Los Angeles. Interviews were conducted in English and six other languages, with the assistance of professional interpreters. Using a framework analysis approach that focused on victims' encounters in health care settings, we assessed interview transcript content and coded for themes. We used an exploratory pile-sorting technique to aggregate similar ideas and identify overarching domains.
Results
The survivors came from 10 countries. Eight had experienced domestic servitude, three had survived sex trafficking, and one had experienced both. Half the survivors reported that they had visited a physician while in their traffickers' control, and another worked in a health care facility. All Key Informants described other victims who had received medical care. For domestic servants, medical visits were triggered by injury and respiratory or systemic illness, while sex trafficking victims were seen by health professionals for sexually transmitted infections and abortion. Trafficking victims were prevented from disclosing their status to health care providers by fear, shame, language barriers, and limited interaction with medical personnel, among other obstacles.
Discussion
This exploration of survivors' experiences in health care settings supports anecdotal reports that US health care providers may unwittingly encounter human trafficking victims. Increasing awareness of human trafficking, and modifying practice to facilitate disclosure, could improve victim identification.
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