Introduction

Trafficking has been described as ‘a multi-stage process of cumulative harm’ (Zimmerman et al. 2011: 327) that occurs at the severe end of a ‘continuum of exploitation’ (Skrivankova 2010: 19). Trafficking can involve victims being subjected to extreme violence and abuse, psychological manipulation, coercion and control over extended periods of time. This abuse has been described, in some cases, as akin to torture (OSCE 2013) and the psychological effects can be severe.

In the face of such suffering, there is an imperative to act to restore the human rights, health and well-being of victims. This is enshrined in the Council of Europe Convention on Action Against Trafficking (2005) and articulated in EU Directive 2011/ 36/ EU (2011). This Directive, which stipulates that victims of trafficking should receive assistance towards ‘their physical, psychological and social recovery’ (p. 6) was transposed into UK law in April 2013.

This chapter will focus on the psychological effects of being trafficked for exploitation and explain how psychological therapy can contribute to the psychological recovery of victims. It describes the approach to working psychologically with adult and adolescent victims of trafficking used by the COMPASS Team (NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Psychological Trauma Service), as well as some of the challenges associated with this work. In this chapter, those who have experienced being trafficked will be referred to as ‘victims of trafficking’ to convey the serious harm that trafficking can do. However, the authors have also learned from their clients about the strength, determination and resilience that it takes to be a ‘survivor of trafficking’.

Although the focus of this chapter is psychological therapy, it is recognised that, for psychological recovery to be possible, a multiagency response, providing protection from traffickers, safe housing, physical healthcare, psychosocial support, interpreting, legal representation, and a welcoming and hospitable host community is also needed (Macy and Johns 2012).

Glasgow service context

The authors offer insights into responding to the psychological needs of victims of trafficking that are based on their experience of working therapeutically with victims of all forms of trafficking for sexual exploitation, forced labour and domestic servitude.