Mental Health Among Asian and Latina Survivors of International Criminal Sex Trafficking in New York City

Asian and Latina survivors of international criminal sex trafficking often face profound mental health challenges, yet research on this group remains limited. This study examines mental health outcomes and correlates among 94 survivors in New York City using a Community-Based Participatory Research approach. Multivariable logistic regression identified factors associated with depression, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and comorbid symptoms. Survivors reported high rates of depression (41.9%), PTSD (41.3%), and co-occurring symptoms (26.6%). Pain and forced abortion were significantly associated with PTSD and comorbidity. Findings highlight the need for trauma-informed, culturally appropriate mental health interventions addressing pain and reproductive coercion to support survivor recovery.