“There's a lot missing”

Treating survivors of sex trafficking with trauma bonds

Bibliographic Data

ID21721722
AuthorsKaitlin Casassa (0000-0002-6263-4119, The Ohio State University, corresponding author), Alexa Ploss (The Ohio State University), Sharvari Karandikar (0000-0002-4010-618X, The Ohio State University)
Year2023
Volume23
Issue5
Pages838-857
Publication date2023-09-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Social Work (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1468-0173 • E-ISSN: 1741-296X
PublisherSAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/14680173231165930
OpenAlexW4372319681
LanguageEN
Citations received3
References cited22

Survivors of sex trafficking often develop trauma bonds with their traffickers. A trauma bond refers to an intense emotional attachment that can develop between victims and their abusers. Research on trauma bonds is sparse and as such so are practice recommendations for service providers. This study seeks to answer the question: What recommendations do service providers make for working with survivors of sex trafficking suffering from trauma bonding? This qualitative study involved in-depth interviews with 10 participants who were licensed social workers or counselors working directly with survivors. Audio recordings were transcribed and coded utilizing aspects of a grounded theory approach. Findings Three themes emerged: (1) understanding client needs, (2) the relational approach, and (3) using existing modalities. Participants discussed clients’ needs for healthy relationships, education about trauma bonding, and improved material circumstances. The relational approach participants described involves meeting clients where they are at, validating survivors, and establishing facts over feelings. Existing modalities discussed by participants include eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy and motivational interviewing (MI). Applications These findings can provide direction for service providers working with survivors of sex trafficking who have trauma bonds. Findings support the need for holistic interventions, and further intervention research is needed to empirically examine the efficacy of EMDR and MI with trauma bonds. Additionally, these findings can inform legislators and policy makers as they consider the needs of survivors

Criminology · Feeling · Grounded theory · Human trafficking · Interview · Modalities · Political science · Psychiatry · Psychological intervention · Psychotherapist · Qualitative research · Service provider · Sex trafficking · Clinical Psychology · Homelessness and Social Issues · Psychology · Sex work and related issues · Sexuality, Behavior, and Technology · Social Psychology

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