Page 118 - GHES-3-1

Global Health Economics and
Sustainability
Human trafficking victim service providers

Table 3. Main Themes and Sub‑themes
Theme Sub‑theme Participants a References b
Barriers to providing support 13 37
Logistics 10 12
Lack of information 6 8
Lack of coordination 5 5
Cultural aspects 3 5
Lack of identification as a victim 2 2
Individual characteristics of the victim 2 2
Similarities and differences (trafficking 13 28
victims/victims of other crimes)
Trust 7 8
Transnationality of crime 6 6
Multilevel impact 4 7
Condition of special vulnerability 12 17
Individual vulnerability 11 12
Structural vulnerability 3 3
Notes: Number of participants who mentioned the theme and sub-theme; Total number of references that integrated the theme and sub-theme.
a
b
considered liable without being able to exercise their basic planned, certified instruction. In addition to impairing
rights.” Participant 12 described this as “the very precarious one’s ability to treat patients or make appropriate (trauma-
socioeconomic and psychological conditions of the victims.” specific) referrals, inadequate training can also result in
Service providers pointed out that victims in such retraumatization through routine clinical procedures or
conditions require special protection as their victimization inadvertently bringing up traumatic memories (Butler
continues. They emphasized that vulnerabilities vary based et al., 2011; Hopper, 2017).
on the specifics of the crime, outlining the particular care An essential aspect of victim support is shifting focus
needed, which includes paying attention to the victims’ from the victim’s status to their personhood, helping them
physical, mental, and safety needs, as well as those of their move beyond self-blame and the identity of a victim/
family members. In addition, they raised concerns about survivor to seeing themselves as individuals who are more
the potential for secondary victimization. This is reflected than just the sum of their adverse life experiences (Hopper,
in the following statement by Participant 7: “The condition 2017; Kiss et al., 2015; Nguyen et al., 2017; and Salami
of the special vulnerability of the victim is that all victims et al., 2018). The victims are empowered by emphasizing
who have special needs of protection (depending on their their resilience and strengths and exploring past personal
characteristics, the type or nature of the crime suffered coping mechanisms (Bonanno, 2004 and Hopper, 2017).
and/or the circumstances) are particularly vulnerable to Victims’ resources for overcoming the challenges they face
the continuation of victimization, suffer from secondary can be organized with the assistance of service providers
victimization, intimidation, etc., requiring special care, (Bonanno, 2004; Butler et al., 2011; and Hopper, 2017).
especially in terms of care and protection.” This raises concerns regarding the efficacy and recognition
of the institutions’ training programs in the absence of
4. Discussion appropriate instruction and training. All care providers—
This is the first study to address this research gap medical, mental health, and social professionals and
and evaluate the services offered to victims of HT in those in the legal and judicial systems—must be trained
Portugal, focusing on the professionals who provide such in the fundamentals of dealing with individuals who have
services. Few participants reported having undergone undergone trauma. To ensure that every encounter is
educational courses; instead, they gained knowledge compatible with the recovery process and lessens the chance
about HT primarily through their direct experiences with of retraumatization, all members of an organization’s staff
victims, rather than through proper academic training. or those in direct contact with the victim must understand
Consequently, the information they acquire is experience- the impact that violence has on the lives of the people they
based rather than grounded in scientific knowledge or serve (Butler et al., 2011 and Wilson and Butler, 2014).

Volume 3 Issue 1 (2025) 110 https://doi.org/10.36922/ghes.3215