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The Health Risks and Consequences of Trafficking in Women and Adolescents. Findings from a European Study

Document number
1270
Date
2003
Title
The Health Risks and Consequences of Trafficking in Women and Adolescents. Findings from a European Study
Author/publisher
Cathy Zimmerman, Brad Adams. London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine
Availability
View/save PDF version of this document
Document type(s)
Research/Study/Analysis,
Keywords
Palermo protocol; Definition of (trafficking), Root Causes, Risk Groups, Vulnerability, Pull factors, Push factors, Sending/Receiving countries, Social assistance, Rehabilitation, Reflection period, Repatriation;
Summary
This report represents the findings of a two-year multicountry study on women’s health and trafficking to the European Union. It is an initial inquiry into an area about which little research has previously been conducted. Interviews were conducted by researchers in Albania, Italy, the Netherlands, Thailand, and the United Kingdom with women who had been trafficked, health care and other service providers, NGOs working against trafficking, law enforcement officials, and policymakers. Summary findings: The health risks, consequences, and barriers to services for trafficked women are similar to those experienced by other marginalised groups, including: 1. migrant women; 2. women experiencing sexual abuse, domestic violence, or torture; 3. women sex workers; and 4. exploited women labourers. Trafficking often has a profound impact on the health and well-being of women. The forms of abuse and risks that women experience include physical, sexual and psychological abuse, the forced or coerced use of drugs and alcohol, social restrictions and manipulation, economic exploitation and debt bondage, legal insecurity, abusive working and living conditions, and a range of risks associated with being a migrant and/or marginalised. These abuses and risks impact women’s physical, reproductive, and mental health, may lead to the misuse of drugs or alcohol, diminish women’s social and economic well-being, and limit their access to health and other support services. The range of health needs of trafficked women, and the different opportunities to provide services are best understood by considering each stage of the trafficking process, including: 1. pre-departure; 2. travel and transit; 3. destination; 4. detention, deportation, and criminal evidence; and 5. integration and re-integration.
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