Labour exploitation and health: a case series of men and women seeking post-trafficking services

J Immigr Minor Health. 2014 Jun;16(3):473-80. doi: 10.1007/s10903-013-9832-6.

Abstract

Research on the health of trafficked men and on the health problems associated with trafficking for labor exploitation are extremely limited. This study analysed data from a case series of anonymised case records of a consecutive sample of 35 men and women who had been trafficked for labor exploitation in the UK and who were receiving support from a non-governmental service between June 2009 and July 2010. Over three-quarters of our sample was male (77 %) and two-thirds aged between 18 and 35 years (mean 32.9 years, SD 10.2). Forty percent reported experiencing physical violence while they were trafficked. Eighty-one percent (25/31) reported one or more physical health symptoms. Fifty-seven percent (17/30) reported one or more post-traumatic stress symptoms. A substantial proportion of men and women who are trafficked for labor exploitation may experience violence and abuse, and have physical and mental health symptoms. People who have been trafficked for forced labor need access to medical assessment and treatment.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Cohort Studies
  • Female
  • Health Services Accessibility / statistics & numerical data*
  • Health Status*
  • Human Trafficking / ethnology
  • Human Trafficking / prevention & control
  • Human Trafficking / statistics & numerical data*
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Male
  • Men's Health / ethnology
  • Men's Health / statistics & numerical data*
  • Mental Health / ethnology
  • Mental Health / statistics & numerical data*
  • Middle Aged
  • Needs Assessment
  • Sex Factors
  • Sex Offenses / ethnology
  • Sex Offenses / statistics & numerical data
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / diagnosis
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / epidemiology
  • United Kingdom / epidemiology
  • Violence / ethnology
  • Violence / statistics & numerical data*
  • Women's Health / ethnology
  • Women's Health / statistics & numerical data*
  • Young Adult