Experiences of survivors of commercial sexual exploitation availing rehabilitation at R&P homes in India

Authors

  • Vipin Vijay Nair, Mr. Lecturer & Research Scholar, Jindal Institute of Behavioural Sciences, O.P Jindal Global University, Haryana, India https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4231-218X
  • Sanjeev P. Sahni, Professor (Dr.) Professor & Principal Director, Jindal Institute of Behavioural Sciences, O.P Jindal Global University, Haryana, India https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7429-8549
  • D. Daniel T. Andzenge, Professor (Dr.) Professor, St. Cloud State University, Minnesota, United States

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.7146/torture.v31i1.121473

Keywords:

Coping mechanism, Protective Homes, Rehabilitation, Victims of Commercial Sexual Exploitation

Abstract

Background: Sex trafficking constitute as the primary form of human trafficking involving predominantly young girls and women. Rehabilitation of rescued victims of commercial sexual exploitation is critical in efficient reintegration into society.

Aims: The main aim of the study is to explore the narratives of the victims of commercial sexual exploitation in understanding various factors towards eventual Rehabilitation within Rehabilitation & Protection (R&P) homes in India.

Method: The study involves participatory action research at R&P homes in India. In total, 30 victims of commercial sexual exploitation, aged 29-50 years, participated in the study.

Results:  The result through thematic analysis reflected the initiators and detrimental factors towards Rehabilitation in R&P homes. The analysis also reflected various internal and external factors contributing to effective Rehabilitation.

Conclusion: The results provide insight into various factors for critical action by practitioners on the field through intervention, policies, and other mechanisms. The research also emphasizes the employment of participatory action research for research with the critical and marginalized population.

Author Biographies

Vipin Vijay Nair, Mr., Lecturer & Research Scholar, Jindal Institute of Behavioural Sciences, O.P Jindal Global University, Haryana, India

Vipin Vijay Nair is currently working as a Lecturer and an In-service doctoral scholar at Jindal Institute of Behavioural Sciences, O.P Jindal Global University. He received his Master’s in Criminology from LNJN National Institute of Criminology and Forensic Sciences, GGSIPU, where he was awarded the University Silver medal for his academic and research vigor. He has qualified UGC-NET lectureship (Criminology) in 2016.

Nair has completed many academic and individual research projects and is actively pursuing research in the field of victimology and criminology, with active involvement in the Centre of Victimology and Psychological Studies and Centre for Criminology and Forensic Studies at Jindal Institute of Behavioural Sciences, JGU. He is dedicated in contributing inter-disciplinary work in the field of victimology and criminology by working on articles, essays and research papers. He has presented in several International conferences  across the globe. He is currently affiliated as member of few national and international organisations like World Society of Victimology, American Society of Criminology, British Society of Criminology, Indian Society of Criminology, Indian Criminology & Forensic Science Association and others.

Sanjeev P. Sahni, Professor (Dr.), Professor & Principal Director, Jindal Institute of Behavioural Sciences, O.P Jindal Global University, Haryana, India

Dr. Sanjeev P. Sahni is the Advisor to the Vice Chancellor of O.P. Jindal Global University (JGU) and the Member of the Governing Body of the university. As a founding member of the management team, he was instrumental in establishing the university in the year 2009 along with the Vice Chancellor. Dr. Sahni fosters collaboration across the university and manages changes in policies and practices that affect the academic and administrative life of the university as a whole.

Dr. Sahni is the Principal Director of the Jindal Institute of Behavioural Sciences (JIBS). He also serves as a Professor in the university and as the Director of Centre for Victimology and Psychological Studies, Centre for Leadership and Change and Centre for Community Mental Health.

Dr. Sahni is a distinguished scholar in the field of Psychology and his research interests span in the areas of Criminal Psychology, Cognitive and Neuropsychology, Competency Mapping, Organizational Development, and Leadership. He holds a Ph.D. degree in Organizational Behaviour. He possesses an extensive and rich experience of 32 years in Academia, Industry and Governmental Sector. His industrial expertise and extensive research allow for a more pragmatic approach in teaching, thus narrowing the industry-academia gap.

References

Bhave, G., Lindan, C. P., Hudes, E. S., Desai, S., Wagle, U., Tripathi, S. P., & Mandel, J. S. (1995). Impact of an intervention on HIV, sexually transmitted diseases, and condom use among sex workers in Bombay, India. Aids.

Brannon, L., & Feist, J. (2009). "Personal Coping Strategies". Health Psychology: An Introduction to Behavior and Health: An Introduction to Behavior and Health (7th ed.). Wadsworth Cengage Learning. pp. 121–3. ISBN 978-0-495-60132-6.

Coffey, P., Leitenberg, H., Henning, K., Turner, T., & Bennett, R. T. (1996). The relationship between methods of coping during adulthood with a history of childhood sexual abuse and current psychological adjustment. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 64, 1090-1093

Curtis, R., Terry, K., Dank, M., Dombrowski, K., & Khan, B. (2008). Commercial sexual exploitation of children in New York City, volume one: The CSEC population in New York City: Size, characteristics, and needs (NIJ Doc. No. 225083). Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice.

Filipas, H. H., & Ullman, S. E. (2006). Child sexual abuse, coping responses, self-blame, PTSD, and adult sexual revictimization. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 21, 652–672. doi:10.1177/1077559502007001003

Frazier, P. A. (2003). Perceived control and distress following sexual assault: A longitudinal test of a new model. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 84(6), 1257-1269.

Freeman Najdowski, C. J., & Ullman, S. E. (2009). PTSD and self-rated recovery among adult sexual assault survivors: The effects of traumatic life events and psychosocial variables. Psychology of Women Quarterly, 33, 43–53. doi:10.1111/j.1471- 6402.2008.01473.x

Gidycz, C. A., Hanson, K., & Layman, M. J. (1995). A prospective analysis of the relationships among sexual assault experiences: An extension of previous findings. Psychology of Women Quarterly, 19, 5-29.

Gragg, F., Petta, I., Bernstein, H., Eisen, K., & Quinn, L. (2007). New York prevalence study of commercially sexually exploited children: Final report. Rockville, MD: Westat.

Greenbaum, J., Crawford-Jakubiak, J. E., & Committee on Child Abuse and Neglect. (2015). Child sex trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation: health care needs of victims. Pediatrics, 135(3), 566-574.

Greene, J. M., Ennett, S. T., & Ringwalt, C. L. (1999). Prevalence and correlates of survival sex among runaway homeless youth. American Journal of Public Health, 89, 1406-1409 women. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 65(5), 834-847.

Janghel, G., & Shrivastav, P. (2017). Coping Behavior Assessment Scale (Indian Adaptation): Establishing Psychometrics Properties.

Johnson, B. K., & Kenkel, M. B. (1991). Stress, coping, and adjustment in female adolescent incest victims. Child Abuse & Neglect, 15, 293-305.

Kilpatrick, D. G., Acierno, R., Resnick, H. S., Saunders, B. E., & Best, C. L. (1997). A 2-year longitudinal analysis of the relationships between violent assault and substance use in

Klain, E. (1999). Prostitution of children and child-sex tourism: An analysis of domestic and international responses. Washington, DC: National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

Lazarus, R. S. (1993). Coping theory and research: Past, present, and future. Psychosomatic Medicine, 55, 234–247.

Lazarus, R., & Folkman, S. (1984). Stress, appraisal, and coping. New York: Springer.

Reid, J. (2010). Doors wide shut: Barriers to the successful delivery of victim services for domestically trafficked minors in a southern U.S. metropolitan area. Women & Criminal Justice, 20, 147-166Sinclair, B. B., & Gold, S. R. (1997). The psychological impact of withholding disclosure of child sexual abuse. Violence & Victims, 12, 125-133.

Seligman, M. E. P. (1975). Helplessness: On depression, development, and death. New York:

Singh, T. N., Kananbala, S., Thongam, W., Devi, K. S., & Singh, N. B. (2005). Increasing trend of HIV seropositivity among commercial sex workers attending the Voluntary and Confidential Counseling and Testing Centre in Manipur, India. International journal of STD & AIDS, 16(2), 166-169.

Smith, L., Vardaman, S. H., & Snow, M. (2009). The national report on domestic minor sex trafficking: America’s prostituted children. Arlington, VA: Shared Hope International

United Nations (2000). Protocol to prevent, suppress and punish trafficking in persons, especially women and children, supplementing the United Nations convention against transnational organized crime. In United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and the Protocols Thereto.

United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (2018). Global Report on Trafficking in Persons (Sales No. E.19.IV.2) [online]. Vienna, Austria: UNODC, November. Available from: https://www.unodc.org/documents/data-and-analysis/glotip/2018/GLOTiP_2018_BOOK_web_small.pdf [Accessed 14 March 2020].

Vicary, J. R., Klingaman, L. R., & Harkness, W. L. (1995). Risk factors associated with date rape and sexual assault of adolescent girls. Journal of Adolescence, 18, 289-306.

Wheeler, J. R., & Berliner, L. (1988). Treating the effects of sexual abuse on children. In G. E. Wyatt & G. J. Powell (Eds.), Lasting effects of child sexual abuse (pp. 227-247). Newbury Park, CA: Sage

Zimmerman, C., Yun, K., Shvab, I., Watts, C., Trappolin, L., Treppete, M., ... & Albrecht, M. (2003). The health risks and consequences of trafficking in women and adolescents: Findings from a European study.

Downloads

Published

2021-05-11 — Updated on 2021-05-24

Versions

How to Cite

Nair, V. V., Sahni, S. P., & Andzenge, D. D. T. (2021). Experiences of survivors of commercial sexual exploitation availing rehabilitation at R&P homes in India. Torture Journal, 31(1), 64–75. https://doi.org/10.7146/torture.v31i1.121473 (Original work published May 11, 2021)

Issue

Vol. 31 No. 1 (2021): Torture: Journal on Rehabilitation of Torture Victims and Prevention of Torture

Section

Research and Scientific articles

License

Copyright (c) 2021 Torture Journal

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

We accept that some authors (e.g. government employees in some countries) are unable to transfer copyright. The Creative Commons Licence  Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0) covers both the Torture Journal and the IRCT web site. The publisher will not put any limitation on the personal freedom of the author to use material contained in the paper in other works which may be published, provided that acknowledgement is made to the original place of publication.