Psychosocial interventions for survivors of human trafficking: a realist review

In 2021, there were an estimated fifty million people currently experiencing modern slavery (International Labour Organisation, International Organisation for Migration and Walk Free, 2022). Modern slavery includes human trafficking, which entails movement of people, either within or across countries, with the aim of exploitation (UKRI, 2023). Experiences of victims of trafficking during transit and on arrival to their destination can include sexual exploitation, forced (unpaid) labour, domestic work, forced crime and/or the removal of organs (Migrant Help, 2023). The journey undertaken may or may not be against the person’s will, but they may then be subsequently forced into activities under the influence of coercion.

The experience of being trafficked is isolating and intimidating (Mak et al., 2023), with consequent vulnerabilities to physical, mental, and sexual health conditions (Ottisova et al., 2016; Ottisova et al, 2018). Survivors often lack official identification (Hemmings et al., 2016) or legal permission to remain in their destination location, experience unstable socioeconomic conditions, and they may fear revictimisation and/or repercussions for loved ones (Altun et al, 2017).

There is a growing evidence base on the mental health, legal and other support needs of survivors of human trafficking. Their needs range from necessities, such as housing, to support for complex mental health and trauma related symptoms. Significant efforts have been undertaken to establish the treatment and support needs of survivors, as well as to develop suitable psychosocial interventions for human trafficking survivors.

The current blog summarises a realist review recently published in The Lancet Psychiatry about the different types of psychosocial interventions, which specific populations these interventions work with, and how and in what contexts (Mak et al., 2023).