Special characteristics
Women who are, or have been, trafficked often have some general characteristics.
Remember, it is important that we all make a difference.
It is characteristic for the women to:
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Feel trapped in a dangerous net and not be able to see a safe way out
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Work in an informal, hidden and often criminal world
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Be living illegally in a country having been imported as victims of trafficking
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Have had their passports and personal documents confiscated and worry about being deported
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Have only a limited knowledge on their own rights and civil liberties
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Have very limited personal freedom
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Be very mobile and often move from city to city
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Be traded from one criminal to another
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Be very likely to have experienced physical, sexual or psychological abuse and threats of violence towards themselves or their families
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Be subject to violence, threats and fines from their pimps or traffickers
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Lie about their age especially if they are underage
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Be trapped in debt bondage or other tough obligations involving structured criminal activity and corrupt officials
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Experience ethnic and explicit sexual discrimination
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Exhibit defensive reactions and display symptoms of trauma and stress, which are reflected in a diminished perception of time and space and memory loss regarding certain events
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Underestimate dangerous situations with for instance clients
It can be tempting to offer medical help, goods or presents to the victim but even women who have been subjected to the most miserable conditions may choose to reject such offers. Therefore it is important to get the woman’s approval before making any arrangements on her behalf.
Asking a woman to talk about experiences that have been terrifying, humiliating and painful to her can cause extreme anxiety. Many women are ashamed about what they have done or what has happened to them and for these women it can be very stressful and traumatic to have to conduct an interview about their experiences with, for instance, a social worker or a support worker from an NGO.
It is important to recognise that many women experience some stress or discomfort when certain questions are discussed, but it is just as important to know that for many women it can also be therapeutic to discuss these questions and for someone to listen to them. It is important that the questioner remembers that sensitive subjects must be discussed cautiously and professionally.