Citation

Robjant K, Roberts J, Katona C. Front. Psychiatry 2017; 8: e63.

Affiliation

Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London, United Kingdom.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, Frontiers Media)

DOI

10.3389/fpsyt.2017.00063

PMID

28620321

PMCID

PMC5451503

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Human trafficking is a form of modern slavery that involves the forced movement of people internally within countries, or externally across borders. Victims who are trafficked for sexual exploitation are subject to repeated, multiple trauma, and high rates of mental health problems including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have been found. Narrative exposure therapy (NET) is an evidence-based treatment for PTSD.

METHODS: In this retrospective audit, we record the results of NET to treat 10 women who had been trafficked for sexual exploitation who were diagnosed with PTSD.

RESULTS: All 10 women completed the therapy and experienced a reduction in PTSD severity scores at posttreatment, with improvements that were maintained or further improved at 3-month follow-up. General distress was also significantly reduced following treatment.

CONCLUSION: Although limited by sample size and retrospective design, this audit demonstrates that NET is a feasible treatment for PTSD in this population and warrants further evaluation in a randomized controlled trial. Further adjunctive interventions may also be necessary to treat the additional psychological problems experienced by this population.

Language: en

Keywords

human trafficking; modern slavery; narrative exposure therapy; posttraumatic stress disorder; sexual- and gender-based violence