Guidance Document: Identifying Human Trafficking in Health Care Settings

ByFanaye Dadi & Kathleen Thimsen

The day in review…

Health care providers are among the most likely front line providers who may encounter with trafficked victims while they are still under conditions of exploitation [2].

Studies have found that 28 percent to 87 percent of trafficking victims have encountered health care professionals while they are still under conditions of exploitation [1]

1. Stoklosa, H., Grace, M., A. & Littenberg, N. (2015). Medical Education on HumanTrafficking. AMA Journal of Ethics. Volume 17 (10: 914-921),

2. Chon, K. , (2014). Testimony before : Committee on Energy & Commerce ,United States House of

Representatives.

A study conducted in New York City found that only 4.8 percent of emergency medicine clinicians reported feeling confident about their ability to identify a victim of human trafficking

In a survey with trafficking survivors to explore their experience in interacting with health care professionals indicated that in addition to not being identified, they had been hurt, humiliated, and, in some cases, harmed by the actions of clinicians

Stoklosa, H., Grace, M., A. & Littenberg, N. (2015). Medical Education on HumanTrafficking. AMA Journal of Ethics. Volume 17 (10: 914-921),

Human trafficking, also known as trafficking in persons (TIP) is considered as a modern day slavery and under federal and international law it is considered a crime and it is also a crime in every state in the United States.Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 which has been updated four times since 2000 most recent in 2013

(U.S. Department of State)

National Human Trafficking Resource Center (NHTRC)

Trafficking Awareness Training for Health Care Act of 2015: Facilitates the development and dissemination of evidence- based best practices for health care professionals to recognize victims of a severe form or trafficking and respond to such individuals appropriately, and for other purposes.

The Bill passed the House of Representatives January 27, 2015.

Trafficking awareness Training for Health Care Act of 2015

Federal Strategic Action Plan on Services for Victims of Human Trafficking in the United States, 2013-2017

The purpose of this Plan is to describe the steps that federal agencies will take to

The purpose of this Plan is to describe the steps that federal agencies will take to ensure that all victims of human trafficking in the United States are identified and provided appropriate care.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services , Office on Trafficking in Persons

-History, physical exam, &Documentation

- Safe referral and follow-up- Special circumstances- Next steps- Interdisciplinary and - -

=Transdiciplinary team-Human trafficking resourcesdirectory

-Human trafficking victim identification flow diagram

-The demographics -Common barriers to disclosure -Human trafficking indicators or red flags

-Trafficking associated health problems

-Principles of trauma informedcare approach

-Using interpreters

Identify- Healthcare systems stakeholders to

collaborate on community wide effort

Develop- Standardized training curriculum and

tools for the health care providers- Best Practice Policies, Procedures & Protocols that

apply trauma informed, culturally competent care

Research, Evaluate and Disseminate - Care strategies and outcomes

Advocacy & Policy Through Collective Initiatives

healtrafficking.org/http://www.stoptraffickingmo-il.org/training.html