Page 119 - GHES-3-1

Global Health Economics and
Sustainability
Human trafficking victim service providers

To prevent victim retraumatization, enhance safety, treatment plan includes screening, outreach, and
and improve the efficacy and efficiency of contact with treatments like crisis intervention and life skills training
victims, service providers must receive proper training and (Freemire, 2017; Hemmings et al., 2016; and Westwood
education (Farrell et al., 2010, 2012; Ahn et al., 2013; Beck et al., 2016). Short-term programs are generally insufficient
et al., 2015; and Renzetti et al., 2015). Adequate training for providing the necessary rehabilitation (Hemmings
enables care providers to develop trusting relationships et al., 2016 and Sandhu et al., 2013). Therefore, the typical
with victims, which is often challenging in the absence duration of support is often inadequate for developing a
of proper knowledge and skills (Hemmings et al., 2016; tailored and effective treatment plan.
Pascual-Leone et al., 2017; and Reichert and Sylwestrzak, HT victims have varying needs at different stages of
2013). their recovery (Stanley et al., 2016 and Zimmerman,
Portugal has five temporary shelters: two for women 2003). In addition to psychological support, victims
and children, two for men, and one for minors. Although often require professional reintegration, legal assistance,
these shelters cater to specific demographics, the broader accurate language interpreters, and logistical support
support network assists men, women, and children who (transportation to treatment facilities) (Hemmings et al.,
have been victims of various forms of exploitation. Given 2016; Pascual-Leone et al., 2017; and Stanley et al., 2016).
that the literature suggests that the needs of victims may Long-term support may include help with education,
vary depending on the type of exploitation they have family reunification, mental health therapy, job training,
endured, it would be valuable to understand the strategies employment placement, and even repatriation (Clawson
employed to address these differing needs. et al., 2009; Clawson et al., 2003; and Pascual-Leone
et al., 2017). Participants noted that the services provided
Working clinically with HT victims presents unique
challenges. Every victim and every form of abuse has to HT victims include short- and long-term support,
complexities that can create difficulties (Hemmings including legal aid, medical care, mental health services,
et al., 2016; Pascual-Leone et al., 2017; and Reichert and education, financial assistance, job training, childcare, and
Sylwestrzak, 2013). These challenges may stem from reunification or repatriation, as well as emergency services,
external factors, the client’s problems, the professional’s such as safety, housing, food/clothing, and translation.
limitations, or the dynamics of their relationship (Clawson The literature demonstrates that HT victims require a
et al., 2009). A range of factors, including language variety of services (Clawson et al., 2009; Clawson et al.,
barriers, cultural differences, and varying forms of 2003; Freemire, 2017; and Hemmings et al., 2016). Thus,
exploitation, can act as obstacles to providing services. providing support does not mean that a single institution
When these barriers work against the victim, they can must deliver all services. Through pre-existing networks
cause alienation and even reinforce the helplessness that of collaborations, institutions can address a wide range of
may have been instilled during the victim’s exploitation. needs, including those related to physical health (nurses
Targets that are heterogeneous and diversified, along with and doctors, among other services), education, assisted
a lack of specialized knowledge and training, could make return, reintegration into the community, and professional
offering services inadequate. For this reason, to provide reintegration.
proper support and move past obstacles, professional Participants highlighted the differences between
training is essential (Pascual-Leone et al., 2017 and victims of other crimes and those of HT. While victims’
Reichert & Sylwestrzak, 2013). To meet the needs of HT needs were not influenced by age or gender, some victims
victims, professionals are now required to possess cultural were said to have different levels of need than others,
understanding, knowledge, and skills. Therefore, it is according to the participants. Participants also noted that
essential to provide professionals with a foundation for HT victims experience higher levels of trauma and greater
delivering culturally competent and inclusive services difficulty in trusting others compared to victims of other
(APA Multicultural Guidelines: Ecological Approach to crimes. This underscores the importance of supporting HT
Context, Identity, and Intersectionality; APA, 2017). victims with a trauma-informed approach, as emphasized
Identifying the victims’ needs is also critical for law in numerous studies (Ghafoori & Taylor, 2017; Hemmings
enforcement and service providers (Pascual-Leone et al., et al., 2016; and Salami et al., 2018).
2017; and Reichert & Sylwestrzak, 2013). Participants Trauma-informed care begins with an understanding
specified key needs such as feelings of security and safety, of the physical, social, and emotional impact of the victim’s
which include financial independence and safe housing. trauma (Dell et al., 2017; Freemire, 2017; Salami et al.,
Establishing a sense of safety and building trust with the 2018). This approach consists of three key components:
victim takes time (Freemire, 2017). A comprehensive first, recognizing the prevalence of trauma; second,

Volume 3 Issue 1 (2025) 111 https://doi.org/10.36922/ghes.3215