Sex Trafficking Immigrants in the United States

Ryan Tobiasz, Psy.D., LPC Department Chair and Associate Professor, The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, Washington DC Campus

Faizah Holder, Forensic Psychology: Professional Counselor Licensure Track Student, The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, Washington, D.C. Campus

Orlando Rivera, Forensic Psychology: Professional Counselor Licensure Track Student, The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, Washington, D.C. Campus

Forensic Psychology: Professional Counselor Licensure Track Student, The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, Washington, D.C. Campus

While many individuals that currently reside within the United States have access to some form of health care coverage through public or private insurance companies a majority of immigrates do not. Some of the issues and barriers that face the immigrant community are language barriers, lack of health insurance, misdiagnosis, legal status, sex trafficking, and faith and spirituality. Sex trafficking is defined as “when a commercial sex act is induced by force, fraud or coercion, in which the person performing the sex act is younger than 18” (Bickley, 2014). Sex trafficking is a serious problem and has been documented throughout the United States. It has been found that young women are at a greater risk of being a victim of sexual harassment or violence (Chesney-Lind & Sheldon, 1998). Throughout the last year, about over 235,367 or more young girls have been kidnapped in the United States. There is also a high prevalence of missing girls also reported within certain states. While it has not been shown these girls have been matriculated into the sex trafficking trade, there needs to be a growing understanding of this industry within America that needs to be explored. The damaging effects of sex trafficking on survivors will also be discussed. For example, 1 in 20 immigrants seek any assistance from a mental health professional. If the migrant community has the same access to mental health service as any other minority group does that create a healthier community?

Zoom Link