Bipoc Sex Trafficked Disabled Women: A Survivor-Led Collaborative Study

Background and Purpose: The hyper-invisible intersection (oppression coupled with physical, mental, neurodevelopmental, intellectual, and sensory impairments) prevents sex trafficked BIPOC disabled women from freely and fully participating in society on an equal basis. Black women, in particular, are often “objects of policy and not agents of policymaking”. This study aimed to change this by collaboratively seeking the expertise of formerly trafficked BIPOC disabled women as a means of utilizing research to shift power imbalances and create change grounded in the contextual experiences of such survivors. Specifically, in order to strengthen impact through collaborative research in this study with this population, this study was survivor led and involved their guidance and unique expertise in the development of research aims, drafting the interview guide, accessing the sample population, and writing the implications for policy and practice. Research questions include: 1) What is the intersection between race/ethnicity, ACEs, disability, and human trafficking; and 2) What are the perceptions and experiences of racism and discrimination (including ableism) among trafficked women of color?

Methods: Utilizing a mixed method design, the study included semi-structured interviews and four surveys of twenty BIPOC disabled women with human trafficking histories. Purposive and snowball sampling techniques were used to recruit potential participants. Surveys and interviews explored participants’ trafficking ordeals, adverse childhood experiences, criminal activities, systems involvement, and experiences with discrimination/racism/ableism. Quantitative data were coded and analyzed using Excel and JASP. Qualitative data were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis.

Findings: The sample was composed of women who identified as Black (70%), Black/White (15%), and Black/White/Indigenous (15%). The mean composite ACEs score in this sample was 7.2 (SD = 2.09). Emotional abuse and emotional neglect were both reported in 90% (n=18) of the sample while childhood sexual abuse histories were reported in 89% (n=17) of the sample. Sixteen (80%) The respondents had individualized educational plans, while 75% received special education services as children. Nearly 70% of the respondents reported that on 16 days or more in the last 30 days, they experienced some degree of challenge (mild, moderate, severe, or extreme/cannot do) in some or all areas of the WHODAS 2.0. When asked why professionals discriminated against them, respondents reported that 70% (n=14) of the time was related to their disability, and 60% of the time was due to their race/ethnicity. Developmental disabilities (during childhood) were often obscured by their behaviors, mental/emotional diagnoses, and/or trauma. Key thematic findings include: 1) provide culturally specific products and services to Black women, 2) increase understanding about the complexity of human trafficking among BIPOC disabled women, their variety of impairments, and racialized experiences, 3) engage in equality and fairness, 4) remove barriers, and 5) increase marketing of available services.

Conclusions and Implications: The findings in this study offer compelling evidence for future research examining the lived experiences of BIPOC human trafficked disabled women over the life course. It reiterates the importance of examining the plight of trafficked women in childhood given that trafficking starts with extreme vulnerability—often situated in adverse childhood experiences, especially childhood sexual abuse.