Understanding the Retrospective and Current Health Care Needs and Service Experiences of Adult Survivors of Minor Sex Trafficking

Author: Wagner, Amelia; Lockwood, Sarah; Farrell, Amy; Cuevas, Carlos; O’Brien, Jennifer; Pfeffer, Rebecca; Kolnik, Jaclyn & Lincoln, Alisa

Abstract: Minor sex trafficking is an urgent public health problem, but we lack data about how such experiences impact health and health care access. Utilizing data collected from in-depth interviews with 35 adult survivors of minor sex trafficking across the U.S. we explored the physical and psychological healthcare access and healthcare experiences of adult survivors of minor sex trafficking. Negative healthcare experiences before, during, and following sex trafficking foster a lack of trust and confidence in healthcare systems as adults. Recommendations are provided to help overcome barriers to meeting healthcare needs and improving health care experiences for survivors of minor sex trafficking.

Keywords: human trafficking, sex trafficking, health care, public health, access