Cycle of Slavery: Importance of Proper Medical Care In Trafficking Survivors
In most cases, people identify the word "slavery" with the 1800s, when millions of African Americans were objectified, cruelly persecuted, and exploited for labor. Many believe that slavery was eradicated in 1865 with the ratification of the 13th Amendment, which explicitly states the abolition of slavery. However, more enslaved people exist in the modern world than ever before. Human trafficking, also called "modern-day slavery," is a persistent crime against humanity that adversely impacts today's world. Human trafficking is a multifaceted crime that concerns citizens of all ages as well as the global economy as a whole. Human trafficking is a cyclical crime. In
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It hinders their capacity to recover and attain future economic stability. In order for us to properly break the cycle of human trafficking, proper medical care must be given to survivors in order for them to have a chance at recovery and transition back into society. A trafficked person will almost always come out having been severely mentally abused. In the book Human Trafficking: A Treatment Guide for Mental Health Professionals, the author states, “A recent study of sex trafficking reported that 98% of the more than 100 survivors interviewed had experienced at least one psychological disorder during captivity (Lederer and Wetzel 2014)” (Coverdale 7). Common mental implications for trafficking victims include severe anxiety, PTSD, depression, trust issues, low self-esteem, and suicidal thoughts. Medical professionals must act by being informed about trauma and providing care specifically structured for trafficking survivors. Another statistic from the book Human Trafficking: A Treatment Guide for Mental Health Professionals states, “Unfortunately, in one study, a staggering 97% of trafficked persons who had seen a health care professional reported that they did not receive any resources or information about trafficking and were never identified as survivors of trafficking” (Coverdale 10). Victims often fear help because of possible repercussions from their captor, and they refuse entirely any offer of medical help given to them. This statistic reinforces the need for healthcare professionals to be knowledgeable of the physiological abuse victims have gone through so they can empathize with them and provide them with the necessary resources to recover. Not only is it essential for healthcare professionals to be knowledgeable about the physiological implications of trafficking, but they