The Effects of Child Exploitation

Sex trafficking can affect all aspects of a victims life, sometimes for their entire life.

A large majority of victims suffer from mental health conditions:

• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Substance Abuse
• Eating Disorders
• Other severe psychological conditions

Emotional trauma that a victim experiences leads to difficulty with relationships with friends, family, and romantic partners. This trauma can impact a victims ability to trust those who are genuinely trying to help.

Sometime treatment is difficult with victims due to some survivors not viewing their experience as abuse and can attempt to escape treatment.

Along with mental health conditions, victims can suffer from an array of physical health conditions that can be direction linked to their trafficking experience including but not limited to

• Sexually transmitted infections, HIV/AIDS, pelvic pain, rectal trauma, and urinary difficulties
• Pregnancy resulting from rape or prostitution 
• Infertility from chronic untreated STIs or botched/unsafe abortions
• Infections or mutilations from unsafe or unsanitary medical procedures 
• Chronic back, hearing, cardiovascular or respiratory problems from dangerous conditions
• Eye problems from strain
• Malnourishment and severe dental problem. In children, there is evidence of stunned growth and poorly formed/rotting teeth
• Infectious diseases
• Undetected or untreated diseases
• Bruises, scars, and other signs of physical abuse
• Substance use problems or addiction

Information provided by Safe House Project and The Administration for Children and Familes