La Strada Documentation Center

Stolen Smiles: a Summary Report on the Physical and Psychological Health Consequences of Women and Adolescents Trafficked in Europe

Document number
1116
Date
2006
Title
Stolen Smiles: a Summary Report on the Physical and Psychological Health Consequences of Women and Adolescents Trafficked in Europe
Author/publisher
Cathy Zimmerman, Mazeda Hossain, Kate Yun, Brenda Roche, Linda Morison, Charlotte Watts, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine
Availability
View/save PDF version of this document
Document type(s)
Research/Study/Analysis,
Keywords
Interim Care, Health, Reflection period, Social assistance, Victim protection, Advocacy, Civil society, Poverty, Social exclusion, Health care, Social security, Trauma,
Summary
To date, there has been little quantitative evidence about the physical and psychological health needs of women who have been trafficked in Europe. This study gathered statistical evidence on the health needs of women who had recently escaped from a trafficking situation. This report presents some of the first-ever statistical data on trafficked women’s health outcomes. It also provides evidence on violence and health risks that may have influenced these outcomes. The findings are startling in the breadth and depth of the harm women sustained. The level of harm caused to so many aspects of women’s physical, sexual, and psychological health was all-encompassing, posing a massive challenge to care providers. The organizations that assist women who have been trafficked frequently have their economic and human resources stretched to the maximum.With this study, we hope not only to call attention to the health implications of trafficking in women, but to provide fact-based information on the range of health consequences of trafficking, which can lead to better, more holistic care for women who have been trafficked. To this end, our research team and the women who were trafficked joined together to provide a full set of data on many discrete aspects of women’s health. From this evidence-base, we hope that improved policies and well-planned and resourced services will be available for the many women who will be requiring assistance in rebuilding their health and well-being.
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