Experiences of providing psychosocial aftercare services to survivors of human trafficking

Abstract

Human trafficking is a global crime that is well known for its complexity and extreme forms of violence. The crime takes on many diverse forms and consequently the effects on survivors results in complex practical, physical, and mental health issues. As awareness of the crime of human trafficking is growing, more identified victims and survivors are requiring psychosocial aftercare assistance. Psychosocial aftercare service providers must manage the severity, extent, and complexity of the survivors’ experiences, often with little resources or training. There is, however, limited literature regarding the experiences of psychosocial aftercare service providers to these survivors. This qualitative, phenomenological study is added to the understanding of the psychosocial aftercare service providers’ unique experiences of providing psychosocial aftercare to trafficked survivors. This study made use of a purposive, homogeneous sampling method that resulted in four participants being included in this study. These experiences, as analysed through Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, developed five interconnected superordinate themes. These are namely: Boundaries and roles are complex, Making a difference, The role of knowledge, Consequences of aftercare service provision, and The importance of support. In addition, the implications of these findings for policymakers, counter-trafficking stakeholders, and mental health professionals in South Africa are briefly explored.