Migrant trafficking and sexual violence against women in Mexico: A qualitative analysis on consequences

Trafficking of women whether internal or international for the purpose of sexual exploitation continues to be a major cause of concern to the international community. This phenomenon has affected all over the world and Mexico is not an exception. During the last few years, internal trafficking of persons especially of women in Mexico has grown up at a exponential rates due to increasing sex tourism. Thus, in this paper we have tried to analyze what are basic causes behind the internal trafficking of women in Mexico and how this phenomenon is leading health consequences. We have interviewed thirty internally trafficked women in Monterrey city during the year 2007-2010. The study found that; trafficking of women in Mexico is a multi-factorial phenomenon. Women trafficked from various states of Mexico and lured through false promises of employment, high quality living status in Monterrey, migration to USA among others. Once reached to city, they are enslaved and forced to work in sex market. Obtained information indicates that trafficked women are suffering a wide range of physical and sexual violence, with severe health (sexual and mental) consequences, which has direct implication to sexually transmitted diseases.