Social Service Providers’ Understanding of the Consequences of Human Trafficking on Women Survivors—A South African Perspective

Human trafficking for forced labour or sexual exploitation often takes the form of forced migration. It is the third-largest crime industry in the world and has severe consequences on the women survivors. Trafficking violates the safety, welfare, and human rights of the victims and forces physical a...

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Main Authors: Sipho Sibanda, Juliet Sambo, Sanjeev Dahal
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Social Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0760/14/5/298
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author Sipho Sibanda
Juliet Sambo
Sanjeev Dahal
author_facet Sipho Sibanda
Juliet Sambo
Sanjeev Dahal
author_sort Sipho Sibanda
collection DOAJ
description Human trafficking for forced labour or sexual exploitation often takes the form of forced migration. It is the third-largest crime industry in the world and has severe consequences on the women survivors. Trafficking violates the safety, welfare, and human rights of the victims and forces physical and psychological imprisonment on them. Despite the significant number of women being trafficked, little is known about the best ways to address their needs. This article highlights the understanding developed by social service providers in South Africa regarding the consequences of human trafficking on women survivors. Being aware of the complex challenges faced by women survivors of human trafficking enables social service providers to respond to their needs effectively through appropriate interventions and services. Data for this qualitative study were collected through one-on-one interviews and analysed using thematic analysis. Social service providers understand the following to be related to women survivors of trafficking: involvement in drugs and sex work, dependency on the perpetrator, lack of self-esteem, self-blame and shame, being disoriented, psychological challenges, lack of financial support, health issues, isolation, and loneliness. To be relevant and effective, services should be packaged in a manner that addresses all the challenges faced by women survivors of human trafficking.
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spelling doaj-art-5b0dc0dbc80e46d7974512e364d047e92025-08-20T03:12:12ZengMDPI AGSocial Sciences2076-07602025-05-0114529810.3390/socsci14050298Social Service Providers’ Understanding of the Consequences of Human Trafficking on Women Survivors—A South African PerspectiveSipho Sibanda0Juliet Sambo1Sanjeev Dahal2Department of Social Work and Social Policy, School of Allied Health, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, AustraliaDepartment of Social Work and Criminology, Faculty of Humanities, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0028, South AfricaDepartment of Social Work and Social Policy, School of Allied Health, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, AustraliaHuman trafficking for forced labour or sexual exploitation often takes the form of forced migration. It is the third-largest crime industry in the world and has severe consequences on the women survivors. Trafficking violates the safety, welfare, and human rights of the victims and forces physical and psychological imprisonment on them. Despite the significant number of women being trafficked, little is known about the best ways to address their needs. This article highlights the understanding developed by social service providers in South Africa regarding the consequences of human trafficking on women survivors. Being aware of the complex challenges faced by women survivors of human trafficking enables social service providers to respond to their needs effectively through appropriate interventions and services. Data for this qualitative study were collected through one-on-one interviews and analysed using thematic analysis. Social service providers understand the following to be related to women survivors of trafficking: involvement in drugs and sex work, dependency on the perpetrator, lack of self-esteem, self-blame and shame, being disoriented, psychological challenges, lack of financial support, health issues, isolation, and loneliness. To be relevant and effective, services should be packaged in a manner that addresses all the challenges faced by women survivors of human trafficking.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0760/14/5/298forced migrantshuman traffickingintervention researchsocial service providerswomen survivors
spellingShingle Sipho Sibanda
Juliet Sambo
Sanjeev Dahal
Social Service Providers’ Understanding of the Consequences of Human Trafficking on Women Survivors—A South African Perspective
Social Sciences
forced migrants
human trafficking
intervention research
social service providers
women survivors
title Social Service Providers’ Understanding of the Consequences of Human Trafficking on Women Survivors—A South African Perspective
title_full Social Service Providers’ Understanding of the Consequences of Human Trafficking on Women Survivors—A South African Perspective
title_fullStr Social Service Providers’ Understanding of the Consequences of Human Trafficking on Women Survivors—A South African Perspective
title_full_unstemmed Social Service Providers’ Understanding of the Consequences of Human Trafficking on Women Survivors—A South African Perspective
title_short Social Service Providers’ Understanding of the Consequences of Human Trafficking on Women Survivors—A South African Perspective
title_sort social service providers understanding of the consequences of human trafficking on women survivors a south african perspective
topic forced migrants
human trafficking
intervention research
social service providers
women survivors
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0760/14/5/298
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AT sanjeevdahal socialserviceprovidersunderstandingoftheconsequencesofhumantraffickingonwomensurvivorsasouthafricanperspective