Family and Child Welfare

Family and Child Welfare 3 (3+0)

Lesson 38 : Women Trafficking- Effects

Types of effects

Trafficking of women affects the physical and mental health of the victims as well as their social situation and future life. It has also legal implications and a damaging effect on society and development.

Health effects:

1. Trafficking in women involves situation of extreme psychological stress, which may lead to trauma, depression and in some cases to suicide.
2. A trafficked woman may be exposed to isolation, hiding, fear, sexual abuse, rape and other forms of violence.
3. In case of sexual exploitation the effects may be life long and seriously hamper physical, psychological and social development.

Physical effects:

1. The most obvious physical consequence is the high risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) especially HIV/AIDS.
2. Unwanted pregnancies and high risk abortions are also common and may have lethal consequences.
3. Women are specifically vulnerable to reproductive and other gender-specific health problems in trafficking situations as they have little or no access to reproductive health care.
4. Lack of access to birth control, constant rapes, forced abortions and contraceptive use
5. lack of regular mammograms and pap smears and other health issues.
6. Women in domestic servitude are subjected to rape and other physical abuse,
7. Women in forced sex work suffer increased risk of sexually transmitted infections, including HIV/AIDS.

Social Effects:

1. Trafficking into sex industry leads to stigmatization of victims and their families.
2. Makes it hard for the victims to return to their families, who may not welcome them.
3. They may not get acceptance from community.
4. It may be even harder if victim is believed to suffer from HIV.
5. Many victims have limited opportunity to marry, have a family, and difficulty to get a job
6. Those who have returned to their homes will become easy targets for re-trafficking.

Legal Effects:
The legal consequences for trafficked persons vary depending on legislations in the country of origin, Trafficking is primarily seen in terms of illegal migration, and prostitution in destination countries. Since trafficked persons rarely have travel documents or residence permits, the law enforcement authorities focus on victims rather than traffickers. Victims may be arrested and reported. while perpetrators go unpunished and continue to operate. The fact that victims are residing illegally in country leaves them unprotected by national laws and social safety nets.