Common Reactions Women Have After Being Trafficked

last updated September 1, 2005

The following is excerpted from: Victims of Trafficking Need Help, Nadejda Kostadinova, psychotherapist, Animus Association, Bulgaria. Available as Chapter Three of the Resource Book, Crossing Borders Against Trafficking in Women and Girls, Kvinnoforum.

Fear
- to be alone;
- to be found and punished by her violator;
- that people will find out that she had been a prostitute;
- that she will be punished and sued as an illegal immigrant;
- of her own anger;
- of venereal diseases and HIV/AIDS;
- of nightmares.
Feeling Guilty
- that she made a mistake and had been "stupid";
- that she broke cultural and religious rules;
- that she was not able to earn money to support her family.
Anger
- toward herself because "she allowed all that to happen to her";
- toward others, because they did not protect her;
- toward society;
- that her life had been ruined.
Feeling Betrayed
- by the people who put her in touch with those involved in trafficking;
- by God;
- by the state;
- by her family.
Distrust
- of her own ability to judge people and events;
- of the people around her, even those who had not betrayed her.
Feeling Helpless
- that she has no right to control her own life;
- that "it will never get better";
- that being a woman means being abused all the time.
Shock
- feeling stunned and unable to cry.
Suspicion
- "Did this really happen?"
- "Why did this happen to me?"
Feeling Disoriented
- inability to stay calm in one place;
- finding it hard to recognize the days;
- memory problems.

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