Page 120 - GHES-3-1

Global Health Economics and
Sustainability
Human trafficking victim service providers

identifying how the victim participating in the program, testimony as the central piece of evidence in the criminal
organization, or system, including the program’s personnel, justice process (e.g., the police investigation and trial),
is impacted by the trauma; and third, integrating this highlighting the risks associated with the centralization
understanding into practice (Butler et al., 2011). This of proof based solely on the victim’s testimony. Therefore,
approach acknowledges the potential effects of several to establish effective cooperation between the various law
traumatic incidents throughout a person’s life and involves enforcement agencies at the national and international
a dedication to victim protection and empowerment levels, it is imperative to increase the participation of all
(Hemmings et al., 2016 and Salami et al., 2018). It highlights the institutions that assist victims of HT.
how important it is to prevent retraumatization by ensuring Participants mentioned a lack of interinstitutional
that victims are not pressured to discuss the specifics of support; however, when we assess the type of support
their victimization until they are ready (Hemmings et al., provided using a Likert-type scale, it becomes evident that
2016). However, more research is needed in this area, they effectively coordinate with other institutions to offer
especially given that the average duration of support in this medical care, educational courses, and even job placements.
study was only 5.76 months. It is particularly important to Participants in the open-response question indicated
ensure that time, pressure, and victim empowerment— obstacles that seemed inconsistent with the impressions
three essential components of trauma-informed care—are gathered from the initial phase (Likert questions), where they
addressed without bias (Fernandes et al., 2020; 2021). primarily offered favorable judgments of good practices at
Participants also discussed the distinctions between an institutional level. This discrepancy may be explained by
victims of domestic abuse and victims of HT in terms of the social desirability bias, as participants likely provided more
impact of their victimization and the challenges HT victims positive responses in structured formats, only to reveal their
face in building relationships based on trust. Roe-Sepowitz specific challenges in open-ended questions, where they felt
et al. (2014) highlighted the similarities in the support freer to express difficulties. These challenges often pertain
demands of victims of sex trafficking and domestic abuse. to collaboration across institutions, particularly the lack of
However, it is crucial to consider additional treatments cooperation with judicial entities. Participants explained
that address the unique characteristics of sex trafficking, how this lack of cooperation frequently acts as a barrier to
which require mutual respect, communication, teamwork, the delivery of services, causing the victim to withdraw and
and an awareness of each team member’s responsibilities to making it more challenging to win their trust.
help the victim receive effective therapy. Participants also indicated that victims are aware of the
Considering the range of services needed to meet the compensation fund and/or their rights; however, responses
victims’ complicated demands, it is not surprising that to compensation claims have not yet been processed. This
participants mentioned several difficulties in assisting suggests that victims may not fully understand their rights
victims. One of the most common challenges was victims’ (OTSH, 2018).
lack of information and understanding about crime, which When asked what prevents victims from coming
also extends to care providers and law enforcement. When forward and seeking help, the most common response
initiating the assistance process, it can be difficult to overcome was fear of facing reprisals against themselves or their
the victims’ frequent lack of awareness or recognition that families. Due to corruption in their home countries
they have been victims of a crime (Fernandes et al., 2021). or threats from traffickers, victims were often afraid of
Another significant issue was the lack of cooperation law enforcement, believing they would face arrest and
between institutions. While partnerships may function at a deportation if discovered (Clawson et al., 2009; Ioannou
service-provision level (shelter, clothing, food), due to pre- & Oostinga, 2015; and UNODC, 2016). Service providers
existing networks, sometimes these partnerships—such as are well aware of this barrier. How can we overcome it?
those involving law enforcement or other institutions— Fear of the trafficker, lack of self-identification as victims,
create barriers that delay the victim’s access to timely and lack of knowledge of rights are barriers that can be
support. It can be challenging for some victims to receive addressed through information campaigns, as well as
certain services where identification documents are preventive and interventive measures in countries of origin,
necessary because they lack documentation. In addition, the transit, and destination (Bishop et al., 2013; Fernandes
legal system often operates slowly, and victims frequently et al., 2020; and Robinson, 2011).
cooperate without properly communicating their needs to Regarding the concept of “special vulnerability of
the organizations that offer assistance. the victim,” participants divided vulnerability into two
The works of Matos et al. (2017; 2019) and Fernandes et al. aspects: pre- and post-victimization. They acknowledged
(2021) highlight the risks of relying heavily on the victim’s that victims may be targeted by HT exploitation because

Volume 3 Issue 1 (2025) 112 https://doi.org/10.36922/ghes.3215