Trauma intervention in exit recovery programs for women affected by commercial sexual exploitation

Women affected by commercial sexual exploitation (CSE) experience severe trauma, which compounds significant barriers to leaving exploitative situations. Evidence suggests that for programs to be effective in supporting women to exit CSE, trauma consequent of CSE must be addressed through therapeutic intervention (Buonaugurio, 2014; Cecchet & Thoburn, 2014; Devine, 2009; Hom & Woods, 2013; Jobe, 2010). Though the literature captures the voices of practitioners and scholars alike in asserting that therapeutic trauma interventions need to be included within exit recovery programs, it remains to be seen if such interventions are actually being incorporated into programming, and what their impact is in supporting women in their exit and recovery. To answer these two questions, this research systematically audits documented studies of exit recovery programs to ascertain if the programs include therapeutic trauma interventions, and if the programs evaluate the interventions in terms of impact in women’s exit and recovery. Among the 18 programs and services described in the literature, 9 included a form of therapeutic intervention to address psychological impacts including trauma. Of these, 4 had been evaluated. The findings of this review make evident the significant lack of exit-recovery programs for affected women, how few incorporate therapeutic interventions, and the need for such programs to be evaluated for effectiveness. Due to the severity and ongoing impacts of trauma, it is of paramount importance that effective therapeutic models be developed and implemented, and that these services become more prevalent and accessible.