How Are They Doing? Mapping Female Survivors of Trafficking to Prevent Re-Trafficking

Background: This is among the first studies to assess the status and well-being of female survivors of trafficking who received psychosocial interventions in a residential shelter in Accra, Ghana. The study is part of overall research whose goal is to develop efficacious reintegration services for survivors of trafficking in West Africa that will serve as model for communities across the world. Our aims are to (1) develop a theoretical model of the factors that facilitate successful integration of human trafficking variables, examining personal, family, community, and local governmental levels of influence and (2) develop an intervention manual based on this theoretical model that specifies protocols for implementing multilevel programming for survivors. In this study, we present the overall health, social, psychological, and economic outcomes of the survivors.

Methods: Retrospective cross-sectional data were collected in April 2016 from a sample of n=144 female victims of trafficking. Participants had received psychosocial and human capital development services in a local residential facility between 2010 and 2015. Research participants were recruited through the service provider’s contacts.

Study Participants: The age range of the participants was 23-34, Mn=23 (SD=2.89). In terms of education, 86(60%) had secondary school education, 43(30%) elementary, 11(7.6%) no formal education, and just one participant had some post-secondary education. Seven (5%) participants already had one or more children at the time of admission into the facility and this number increased to 42(29%) at the time of the study. Exactly 127 (88%) of the participants were not married. Participants reported being victims of victims of labor trafficking (89%) while 25% were victims of sex trafficking. In terms of time spent under trafficking pre-intervention: over two years (31%), 7-12 months (24%), 1-6 months (16%), and 19-24 months (14%) were the most reported periods. Five percent of the participants had children pre-intervention and this number grew to 29% at the time of the interviews.

Results: Using various multidimensional measures that were culturally validated and adapted with high reliability (Cronbach’s α .78-.93), participants reported lower levels of social inclusion (Community Reintegration Scale), medium-high levels of PTSD (PSS-I scale), lower levels of coping (Brief Cope scale), medium levels of suicide ideation (USSIS scale), medium-high levels of symptoms configuration (HSCL), and lower levels of financial capability (Financial Capability Scale). In summary, participants continued to experience some of the social, psychological, emotional, and economic factors that put them at risk to trafficking in the first place. The priority for many participants at the time of the study was to be able to be economically independent and to be connected to their communities.

Implications: It is important for researchers and practitioners to map conditions that facilitate trafficking. More important though is the provision of interventions that are holistic, dealing with the long-term impacts of trafficking, and ensuring continued supports for survivors. It is important to focus on evidence-informed psychosocial services as well as human capital and community reintegration programs that can provide stability and a new start for trafficking survivors. Reducing re-trafficking risks is key to anti-trafficking efforts.