Moving to Restoration: The Experiences of Women Exiting Sex Trafficking

ABSTRACT

In this article, we use qualitative interviews to learn from three sex-trafficking survivors how service providers can better help female victims of domestic sex trafficking with restoration and recovery, along with how to better identify female victims of sex trafficking and their needs. In this article, participants are referred to as survivors of sex trafficking because they are no longer being trafficked, and individuals who are currently being trafficked are referred to as victims of sex trafficking. Participants reported that therapy, having financial assistance and services provided at no cost, services that focused on rehabilitation to a more independent living and social support were services identified as most helpful for rehabilitation. Participants also discussed barriers to and resources that helped them exit sex trafficking. Implications for future research and for providers are offered.

KEYWORDS:

• Human trafficking
• restoration
• sex trafficking

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Nicole Gonzalez

Nicole Gonzalez is a M.S. Graduate of the couple and family therapy program at Kansas State University. Nicole has researched and advocated against domestic sex trafficking. She has also provided therapy to a survivor of domestic sex trafficking.

Chelsea Spencer

Chelsea Spencer is a doctoral candidate in the couple and family therapy program at Kansas State University. She has experience researching intimate partner violence and sexual violence. Chelsea has also provided therapy services to survivors of intimate partner violence and sexual assault.

Sandra Stith

Dr. Sandra Stith is a university distinguished professor in the family therapy program at Kansas State University. Her research focuses on partner violence. She has edited four books and authored over 120 articles and book chapters on the topic. In 2011, APA published her book, Couples Treatment for Domestic Violence: Finding Safe Solutions, describing a treatment p rogram developed with National Institute of Mental Health funding. Dr. Stith also works with the USAF and Department of Defense Family Advocacy Programs managing and conducting a variety of family violence-related research projects, including a project to develop and test a risk assessment measure for partner violence which is currently being disseminated world-wide through the Department of Defense.