Main Article Content

Abstract

Human trafficking is a modern-day slavery that mostly disproportionate women in the society. This study aimed to fill the knowledge gaps regarding the aftercare experiences of human trafficking survivors as they navigated their recovery and reintegration into society, with a specific focus on the Philippines. The research investigated the effectiveness of aftercare interventions provided by agency, highlighting the importance of comprehensive and customized support systems. It drew on Empowerment Theory and Ecological Systems Theory to inform its analysis. The study utilized a qualitative intrinsic case study design, employing purposeful sampling to gather insights from social worker, psychologist, house parents, survivors and other professional involved in aftercare. Collecting data using typically involved conducting in-depth interviews, engaging with key informants, and facilitating focus group discussions. Emerging themes were analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s method of thematic analysis. The study uncovered two main themes: "Grappling with Adversities" and "Socio-emotional Transformation." It provided insight into the challenges and situations experienced by survivors, as well as the influence of support systems, healing processes, and personal development initiatives on their recovery. The research highlighted the significance of education, development of independent living skills, and provision of emotional support in empowering survivors. Suggested measures involved the establishment of thorough post-treatment support initiatives, public initiatives to raise awareness within the community, and ongoing professional training for workers. This study added to our knowledge of survivor empowerment within the realm of human trafficking and emphasized the importance of continued research and evaluation of aftercare programs.

Article Details

How to Cite
Abayle, C. L., & Candilas, K. (2024). Aftercare for Survivors of Human Trafficking: A Case Study on Optimal Approach to Recovery and Integration. International Journal of Multidisciplinary: Applied Business and Education Research, 5(4), 1134-1147. https://doi.org/10.11594/ijmaber.05.04.02

References

Altun, S., Abas, M., Zimmerman, C., Howard, L., & Oram, S. (2017, February 1). Mental health and human trafficking: responding to survivors' needs. BJPsych Int, 21-23. doi:10.1192/s205647400000163x
Balsells, Á., Fuentes-Peláez, N., & Pastor, C. (2017). Listening to the voices of children in decision-making: A challenge for the child protection system in Spain. Children andYouth Services Review, 418-425. doi:10.1016/j.childyouth.2017.06.055
Barner, J., Okech, D., & Armstrong, M. (2017). One Size Does Not Fit All: A Proposed Ecological Model for Human Trafficking Intervention. Retrieved December 15, 2023, from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/322111063
Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using Thematic Analysis in Psychology. Qualitative Re-search in Psychology (3rd ed.).
Bronfenbrenner, U. (1974). Developmental research, public policy, and the ecology of childhood. Child development. Re-trieved from https://www.simplypsychology.org/bronfenbrenner.html
Bush-Armendariz, N., Nsonwu, M. B., & Hef-fron, L. C. (2014). A Kaleidoscope: The role of the social work practitioner and the strength of social work theories and practice in meeting the complex needs of people trafficked and the professionals that work with them. International Social Work, LVII, 7-18. https://doi:10.1177/0020872813505630
Caretta, M. A. (2015). Casa rut: A multilevel analysis of a “good practice” in the social assistance of sexually trafficked Nigerian women. Journal of Women and Social Work, XXX(4), 546-559.
Cordisco-Tsai, L., Lim, V., & Nhanh, C. (2020). "I Feel Like We Are People Who Have Never Known Each Other Before": The Experiences of Survivors of Human Traf-ficking and Sexual Exploitation Transi-tioning From Shelters to Life in the Com-munity. Forum Qualitative Sozi-alforschung / Forum: Qualitative Social Research, XXI(1). https://dx.doi.org/10.17169/fqs-21.1.3259.
Creswell, J. (2009). Research design: Qualita-tive, quantitative, and mixed methods ap-proaches. Retrieved December 17, 2023, from https://www.ucg.ac.me/skladiste/blog_609332/objava_105202/fajlovi/Creswell.pdf
Davy, D. (2016, July 9). Anti–Human Traffick-ing Interventions: How Do We Know if They Are Working? American Evaluation Association, XXXVII(4). https://doi.org/10.1177/1098214016630615
Dedase-Escoton, V., Walker, S., Schurter, D., Moreno, E., Diaz, N., & Silva, S. (2020). A Study on Online Sexual Exploitation of Children for Aftercare Reintegration. nternational Justice Mission. Retrieved November 30, 2023, from https://www.ijm.org.ph/assets/resource/IJM-Aftercare-Reintegration_research-2021.pdf
Delap, E., & Wedge, J. (2016). Guidelines on children's reintegration. Child Rigths Re-source Center. Retrieved from https://www.familyforeverychild.org/wp-con-tent/uploads/2016/08/RG_Digital_DC-1.pdf
Dell, N., Maynar, R., Born, K., Wagner, E., At-kins, B., & House, W. (2017, February 8). Helping Survivors of Human Trafficking: A Systematic Review of Exit and Postexit Interventions. Trauma, Violence and Abuse, XX(2). https://doi.org/10.1177/152483801769255
DSWD. (2023). Program and Services. Blog. Retrieved December 1, 2023, from https://dswdprogram.com/recovery-reintegration-trafficked-persons/
Gill, M., & Tsai-Cordisco, L. (2018, December). Building core skills among adult survi-vors of human trafficking in a workplace setting in the Philippines. International Social Work. doi:DOI:10.1177/0020872818819043
Gozdziak, B., & Lowell, L. (2016). After Rescue: Evaluation of Strategies to Stabilize and Integrate Adult Survivors of Human Traf-ficking to the United States. Retrieved Novemeber 27, 2023, from https://www.ojp.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/249672.pdf
Hacker, D., Levine-Fraiman, Y., & Halili, I. (2015). Ungendering and regendering shelters for survivors of human traffick-ing. Social Inclusion, III(1), 35-51.
Hu, R. (2019). Examining social service pro-viders’ representation of trafficking vic-tims: A. feminist postcolonial lens. Jour-nal of Women and Social Work, XXXIV(4), 421-438.
Ju, B., Poveda, S., & Thinyane, H. (2022). From voiceless to voicing: the communication empowerment of sex-trafficking survi-vors by using participatory video. Asian Journal of Social Science, 62-69. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajss.2021.09.012
Le, P. (2017, March). Reconstructing a Sense of Self": Trauma and Coping Among Re-turned Women Survivors of Human Traf-ficking in Vietnam. Qual Health Res, XXVII, 509-519. Doi: 10.1177/1049732316646157
Lockyer, S. (2020). Beyond inclusion: Survi-vor-leader voice in anti-human traffick-ing organizations. Journal of Human Traf-ficking. https://doi.org/10.1080/23322705.2020.1756122
Martinez, H. (2022). On the Blog of “What Is Social Empowerment? Empowerment Definition & Theory”. Retrieved Decem-ber 1, 2023, from https://unitedwaynca.org/blog/social-empower-ment/#:~:text=Empowerment%20theory%20in%20social%20work%20uses%20intervention%20methods%20to%20help,a%20number%20of%20marginalized%20groups
McGeough, S. (2022). Human Trafficking in the Philippines. The Anti-Human Trafficking Intelligence Cell of Mercyhurst Universi-ty. Retrieved from https://theexodusroad.com/human-trafficking-in-the-philippines/
Ottisova, L., Hemmings, S., & Howard, L. M. (2016). Prevalence and risk of violence and the mental, physical, and sexual health problems associated with human trafficking: an updated systematic re-view. Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sci-ences, XXV, 317-341.
Polit, D., & Beck, C. (2012). Nursing research: Principles and methods. Philadelphia: Lippincott William and Wilkins.
Rappaport, J. (1981). In praise of paradox: A social policy of empowerment over pre-vention. American Journal of Community Psychology, IX(1), 1-25. Retrieved from https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2022/09/27/2212496/budget-cuts-may-lower-philippines-human-trafficking-status
Romero, P. (2022). Budget cuts may lower Philippines human trafficking status re-port. Retrieved December 4, 2023, from PhilStar: https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2022/09/27/2212496/budget-cuts-may-lower-philippines-human-trafficking-status
Sanchez, R. (2020). An Ecological Approach toward the Prevention and Care of Vic-tims of Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking. Retrieved November 28 2023, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7357858/
Shafer, J. (2016). uman Trafficking: Explora-tion of Best Practices for Restoration and Integration for Survivors in Southeastern United States. CLXV. Retrieved from https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/honors-theses/165
Sprang, G., & Cole, J. (2018). Familial sex traf-ficking of minors: Trafficking conditions, clinical presentation, and system in-volvement. Journal of Family Violence, XXXIII(3), 185-195.
Stake, R. (2000). Handbook of Qualitative Re-search. Thousand Oaks: Sage.
United Nation Office on Drugs and Crime (2018). Global report on trafficking in persons. Retrieved October 30, 2023, from https://www.unodc.org/documents/data-and-analy-sis/glotip/2018/GLOTiP_2018_BOOK_web_small.pdf)
US Department of State. (2023). Trafficking in Persons Report: Philippines. Retrieved from Trafficking in Persons Report: Phil-ippines: https://www.state.gov/reports/2023-trafficking-in-persons-report/philippines