Creating New Stories, Creating New Lives: Applying Narrative Therapy to Survivors of Human Sex Trafficking

Authors

Paige Espinosa, University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Document Type

Poster

Publication Date

2012

Publisher

University of Nevada, Las Vegas; Center for Academic Enrichment and Outreach

Publisher Location

Las Vegas (Nev.)

Abstract

The effects of trauma experienced by survivors of sexual human trafficking has been an under-researched topic in the psycho­logical community. This study will review the current literature on the psychological and emotional implications associated with human sex trafficking, and analyze the components of narrative therapy and its previous application in treating domestic abuse trauma. This paper will explore the viability of narrative therapy as a method to treat the complicated traumas and stress developed as a victim of sexual trafficking. The ultimate goal of this literature analysis is to propose a study that utilizes narrative therapy as an approach that is adequately cross-cultural and also assists with the recovery of sex trade survivors.

The proposed study will gather 25 female survivors of the sex-trade of various nationalities. They will range between the ages of 18 and 26, and will be in the process of attaining a temporary visa (T-Visa) in order to remain in the United States. The proposed study will employ a method of narrative therapy to determine how effective it is in accommodating the needs presented by this de­mographic. To measure the success of narrative therapy for the proposed study, the Posttraumatic Stress Diagnostic Scale will be utilized to identify the patient’s symptom severity before, during, and after treatment.

Keywords

Human trafficking; Human trafficking victims; Narrative therapy; Sex crimes – Psychological aspects

Disciplines

Cognition and Perception | Community-Based Research | Family Law | Gender and Sexuality | International Law | Law | Psychology

File Format

pdf

File Size

2.209 KB

Language

English

Comments

Mentor: Fatma Marouf

Rights

IN COPYRIGHT. For more information about this rights statement, please visit http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Repository Citation

Espinosa, P. (2012). Creating New Stories, Creating New Lives: Applying Narrative Therapy to Survivors of Human Sex Trafficking.
Available at: https://digitalscholarship.unlv.edu/mcnair_posters/25