Mental health impact of child sex trafficking: considerations for child protection and mental health practitioners

Abstract

Background: Sex trafficking and exploitation remain as one of the most complex and devastating crimes against children in Sri Lanka, since the late 1970s. This paper discusses particular mental health issues associated with child sex trafficking (CST) and potential interventions that could prevent and respond to them. The complexity of the psychological impact of CST is discussed, together with possible factors that contribute to it; particularly the situation of the family and the impact of intergenerational implications of adversity. Mental health concerns that place children at risk of CST as well as those that result from CST are discussed, particularly based on unique characteristics of the crime of CST. Trauma coercive attachment (TCA) is highlighted as a specific and pertinent challenge for both victims and practitioners, with high levels of trauma associated with severe cases of TCA. The mental health response is further challenged by systemic issues, as stakeholders and decision makers with power fail to prevent institutional secondary victimization. Amidst these challenges, psychological interventions are proposed which are both early responses to mental health risks as well as trauma-focused interventions which have been piloted with child victims in Sri Lanka, with success. Conclusion: Preventative measures recognize the need to be family-centered, acknowledging the importance as well as the complexity of building family resilience within the wider ecosystem. In responding to victims, the need for individual psychotherapeutic work with victims to factor in the impact of TCA and methods for its reversal are highlighted. However, the equal value of group movement-based therapy is also discussed, especially as an entry point to therapeutic work and child protection case management.