Wombs of Entrapment: Forced Pregnancy and the Manipulation of Maternal Bonds Among Vietnamese Trafficking Survivors

Author: Tran, Le Khanh Chi; Davies, Sharyn & Deckert, Antje

Abstract: This article draws on insights from 23 frontline support workers to examine the experiences of trafficked women from Vietnam who endure rape, forced pregnancy, and prolonged exploitation. It explores how motherhood creates deep emotional bonds that entrench women in cycles of abuse, as many are unable to escape with their children. For those who do flee, reintegration is hindered by trauma and the loss of language, identity, and community ties – both for mothers and their children. We propose the concept of “wombs of entrapment” to show how motherhood functions as a mechanism of control, limiting women’s autonomy. The article calls for gender-sensitive, trauma-informed interventions that address the unique burdens of coerced motherhood and offer long-term psychosocial support.

Keywords: coerced motherhood, gender-based violence, human trafficking, maternal bonding, reproductive violence, survivor reintegration