Health – physical and emotional

Traffickers regularly use physical violence as a form of control over victims. Victims are therefore likely to be suffering from injuries relating to this physical violence and may be in need of urgent treatment. 

A considerable number of victims, especially those who have been exploited in prostitution, suffer from sexually transmitted diseases. They may need treatment and counselling. Some may be suffering from an unwanted pregnancy resulting from clients or their traffickers. 

Victims may suffer from drug related problems, having been introduced to drugs when being trafficked.  

Some victims may have medical problems related to the poor living conditions and medical provisions in their home country; this may include a need for dental care. 

Many of the victims of trafficking will be suffering from some form of emotional and psychological distress resulting from the experiences to which they have been subjected. Given the situation they have been in and the residual fears they will have, depression, shock, low self-esteem and symptoms of extreme stress are likely to result.