Sex trafficking has devastating and long-lasting consequences for victims, affecting their 

physical and mental health, social relationships, and economic stability. The trauma is profound and can have a significant impact on their lives long after they escape the situation. 

Physical Health Consequences

Victims of sex trafficking often experience severe and untreated physical injuries and illnesses due to abuse and neglect. 

• Physical Injuries: Bruises, scars, fractures, traumatic brain injuries, and chronic pain are common due to repeated beatings and physical assault.
• Sexual and Reproductive Health: High rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV/AIDS, pelvic pain, urinary tract infections, unwanted or forced pregnancies, botched abortions, and even infertility are prevalent consequences of frequent sexual abuse.
• Malnutrition and General Health: Victims often suffer from malnutrition, severe weight loss, eating disorders, dental problems, and sleep deprivation. The constant stress can also lead to cardiovascular and respiratory issues.
• Substance Abuse: Many victims are forced into drug and alcohol abuse by their traffickers as a method of control, or they turn to substances as a coping mechanism for the trauma. 

Mental and Emotional Health Consequences

The psychological trauma of daily mental abuse, torture, and coercion leaves deep scars, often leading to complex and chronic mental health conditions. 

• Psychological Disorders: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), complex PTSD, depression, anxiety, phobias, panic attacks, and other psychiatric conditions are extremely common among survivors.
• Emotional Trauma: Survivors often struggle with feelings of shame, guilt, humiliation, shock, and disbelief.
• Cognitive Issues: Memory loss, disorientation, confusion, and difficulty with concentration can occur as a result of the trauma.
• Relationship Problems: Victims may develop a deep mistrust of others and experience difficulty forming healthy, stable relationships or engaging with support systems. 

Social, Legal, and Economic Consequences

The impact of sex trafficking extends beyond personal health, affecting a victim’s ability to reintegrate into society. 

• Social Isolation and Stigma: Victims are often isolated from family and community support networks by their traffickers. The stigma associated with being a victim of sex trafficking can lead to social rejection, further alienating survivors and making reintegration difficult.
• Legal Difficulties: Victims are often mistakenly arrested and charged with crimes they were forced to commit (sometimes called “masking crimes”), such as prostitution or drug possession. A resulting criminal record creates significant barriers to securing employment, housing, or an education later in life.
• Economic Instability: Survivors are often left destitute, in debt, and lacking job experience or education. This can lead to long-term economic insecurity and a heightened vulnerability to future exploitation.
• Impact on Children: Child victims of sex trafficking miss out on normal development and education, which can lead to lifelong developmental, educational, and economic problems. 

Resources for Help

If you or someone you know might be a victim of human trafficking, help is available:

• Contact the National Human Trafficking Hotlineat 1-888-373-7888 (24/7, confidential, available by phone, text, or live online chat).
• Submit a tip online to Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) via the HSI Tip Form or by calling 1-866-347-2423.
• The Office for Victims of Crime provides an Online Directory of Crime Victim Services to find local resources. 
• 
  Sex trafficking has devastating and far-reaching consequences for victims and society, affecting physical health, mental well-being, social relationships, and economic stability
  . These impacts can be immediate and lifelong. 
  
  Physical Health Effects
  Victims often endure severe and chronic physical health problems due to violence, neglect, and forced sexual activity. 
  Physical Injuries: Bruises, scars, burns, lacerations, broken bones, and head/internal injuries from repeated physical assaults and torture.
  Sexual and Reproductive Health: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV/AIDS; unwanted pregnancies resulting in forced or multiple abortions; chronic pelvic pain; rectal trauma; and long-term infertility.
  General Health Issues: Malnutrition, sleep deprivation, chronic pain, dental problems, and a higher risk of developing serious conditions like diabetes or cancer due to lack of medical care.
  Substance Abuse: Traffickers often force victims to use drugs or alcohol to maintain control and dependency, leading to addiction and related health complications like kidney or liver problems. 
  
  Mental and Emotional Effects
  The psychological trauma of daily abuse and torture can lead to severe and pervasive mental health issues. 
  Psychological Trauma: High prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), complex PTSD, depression, anxiety, phobias, panic attacks, and other stress-related disorders.
  Emotional Distress: Feelings of shame, guilt, helplessness, humiliation, shock, confusion, and fear are common.
  Cognitive Impacts: Memory loss, difficulty concentrating, dissociation, and disorientation are frequently reported by survivors.
  Self-Perception and Relationships: Trafficking often damages a victim’s self-worth, leading to self-blame and difficulty building trust or healthy relationships in the future.
  Suicidal Ideation and Self-Harm: Suicidal thoughts and self-injurious behaviors are prevalent among survivors. 
  
  Social, Legal, and Economic Effects
  The consequences extend beyond personal health, impacting a survivor’s ability to reintegrate into society. 
  Isolation and Stigma: Victims are often isolated from family and friends by their traffickers and may face social rejection and discrimination if their past is revealed, further hindering recovery.
  Educational and Economic Barriers: Survivors, especially those trafficked as children, may have disrupted education, limiting job opportunities and economic mobility.
  Legal Difficulties: Victims may be arrested and charged with crimes (such as prostitution) committed while being trafficked. A criminal record can create significant barriers to finding employment, housing, or educational opportunities later in life. 
  For resources and support, you can contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or visit their website.