Cathy Zimmerman ^1*, Mazeda Hossain ¹, Katherine Yun ², Vasil Gajadadziev ³, Natalia Guzun ³, Maria Tchomarova ⁴, Rosa Angela Ciarrocchi ⁵, Anna Johansson ⁶, Anna Kefurtova ⁷, Stefania Scodanibbio ⁵, Maria Nenette Motus ³, Brenda Roche ¹, Linda Morison ¹, Charlotte Watts ¹

¹ London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine
² Yale University School of Medicine
³ International Organization for Migration
⁴ Animus Association Foundation/La Strada
⁵ Associazione On the Road
⁶ Eaves Housing
⁷ La Strada

^* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: cathy.zimmerman{at}lshtm.ac.uk.

	Abstract

Trained counselors interviewed 192 women who had been trafficked and sexually exploited about abuse and evaluated their physical and mental health status within 14 days of entry into posttrafficking services. Most reported physical or sexual violence while trafficked (95%), pretrafficking abuse (59%), and multiple posttrafficking physical and psychological problems.

Newly identified trafficked women require immediate attention to address posttrauma symptoms and adequate recovery time before making decisions about participating in prosecutorial or immigration proceedings or returning home.

Key Words: Injury/Emergency Care/Violence, Sexual Health, Women's Health