Psychological Coercion in Human Trafficking: An Application of Biderman’s Framework

This study examined coercive conditions experienced by trafficked persons in the context of Biderman’s theory of coercion. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 12 adult women trafficked into Los Angeles County, from 10 countries, for domestic work and/or sex work. Participants described heal...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Qualitative health research 2015-09, Vol.25 (9), p.1171-1181
Main Authors: Baldwin, Susie B., Fehrenbacher, Anne E., Eisenman, David P.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Chronic illnesses
Coercion
Crime Victims - psychology
Emigrants and Immigrants - psychology
Emotional abuse
Fatigue
Female
Health technology assessment
Human trafficking
Human Trafficking - psychology
Humans
Interpersonal Relations
Interviews as Topic
Los Angeles
Mental disorders
Middle Aged
Perceptions
Psychological Theory
Social Isolation
Stress
Stress, Psychological - psychology
Young Adult
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Summary:This study examined coercive conditions experienced by trafficked persons in the context of Biderman’s theory of coercion. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 12 adult women trafficked into Los Angeles County, from 10 countries, for domestic work and/or sex work. Participants described health problems they experienced in relation to their trafficking experience and their perceptions of conditions that caused health problems. Utilizing a framework analysis approach, we analyzed themes using Biderman’s framework. Participants reported experiencing the range of nonphysical coercive tactics outlined by Biderman, including isolation, monopolization of perception, induced debility or exhaustion, threats, occasional indulgences, demonstration of omnipotence, degradation, and enforcement of trivial demands. Our analysis demonstrates how these coercion tactics reinforced the submission of trafficked persons to their traffickers even in the absence of physical force or restraints. Such psychological abuse creates extreme stress that can lead to acute and chronic, physical and mental health problems.
ISSN:1049-7323
1552-7557
DOI:10.1177/1049732314557087