While it’s not apparent in all cases, Stockholm Syndrome in survivors of human trafficking can be evident in some cases. Stockholm syndrome relates to human trafficking because often in human trafficking cases, victims choose to stay captive over returning to their lives before. In the groups most vulnerable to human trafficking, individuals seeking asylum, undocumented workers and participants in visa programs for temporary workers, and runaway or homeless youths are amongst them. So why would a Ukrainian refugee want to go back to their country where a war threatens the lives of their former neighbors and friends? Why would the teen who ran from her poor living conditions at home choose to go back to that way of life? For those who came from nearly nothing are now given a place to sleep and food to eat, there’s no reason for them to want to be freed from their captors.
Stockholm syndrome is a coping mechanism to a captive or abusive situation. Stockholm syndrome is not a psychological diagnosis, but an emotional reaction created by trauma. This condition most commonly applies to victims of child abuse, coach-athlete abuse, relationship [intimate or non intimate] abuse, and trafficking. A person will develop positive feelings towards their abuser or captor and no longer feel a need to escape them/their current situation or experience negative feelings towards police, authority figures, or anyone trying to help them get away from their abusers/captors. Stockholm syndrome can be triggered by a psychological bond created between victim and abuser. This bond can start and develop as early as within a few days or as long as a few years.
Victims or friends/family of human trafficking victims can find short term help for Stockholm syndrome through counseling or psychological treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder. For immediate issues that arise like anxiety and/or depression, psychotherapy can help long term.
