Human Trafficking: Psychological & Physical Enslavement

For her capstone project, Les Ortega enrolled in the course CSRE 5C: “Human Trafficking: Historical, Legal, and Medical Perspectives” and produced a paper examining how traffickers use psychological manipulation—rather than just physical coercion—to control victims in forced marriage, sex trafficking, and domestic servitude. Ortega explored how tactics like trauma bonding, learned helplessness, and emotional dependence keep victims trapped and complicate recovery. Her paper also evaluates trauma-informed interventions, such as therapy, housing, and legal support, that can help survivors reclaim autonomy and heal. This analysis advocates for survivor-centered systems that address both visible and invisible forms of enslavement. The content of this capstone is only accessible to users who have a valid Stanford SUNet ID.