. The second step is vigilance.No one sign identifies a trafficking victim, but there are several indicators to watch out for: lack of money, accompanied by someone who will not allow them to speak or will not leave them alone, signs of malnutrition or drug addiction, signs of physical abuse or neglect, suspicious tattoos that may be a brand, distressed behavior, a story that makes little sense, living arrangements with their employer. They do not address lack of documentation, scanty clothing, sexually transmitted diseases, jaw or neck problems, failure to keep appointments, and strain injuries (Sabella, 2011; Mullaly, 2017). We are ideally positioned to identify these victims, and it is our moral obligation to do so. Also, for the love of God, never disbelieve someone sitting before you if they report this because we are mandated to follow through if someone confesses their safety is compromised. That brings me to step three: how we must intervene. The victim's safety is our number one priority, so ensure their immediate security first. They say this once is not enough, so that I will say it three times.Document, document, and document. Try to write everything you assessed and record as much as you can from the potential victim's conversation. Most agencies have forms and if yours does, use those as well. Next, share what you have found with your facility's administrator, risk manager, or whoever is laid out in your policy. Of course, the National Human Trafficking Hotline can be called or texted. This number should be posted in a prominent place. If law enforcement is involved, work closely with them. If your facility has unclear guidelines, or no guidelines at all, in place to deal with this situation, encourage policy/procedure formation. One of the most shameful statistics I encountered revealed that roughly 75% of trafficked women were seen by a provider, including nurses, in their captivity (Green, 2016). What a staggering responsibility we have! Our patients, and we, cannot afford to miss these opportunities because, typically, these victims are not allowed access to health care unless it is so dire that they cannot perform their purpose. So, let us be vigilant in our practice and motivated to end suffering.References: Callahan, M. (2019, August 16). Human trafficking in the U.S. is a much bigger problem than we think. Retrieved October 12, 2019, . Green, C. (2016, January 13). Human trafficking: Preparing for a unique patient population. Retrieved October 12, 2019, from . Mullaly, L. M. (2017, April 3). Human trafficking in the U.S. is real! Here is how nurses can help. Retrieved October 12, 2019, from . Sabella, D. (2011). The role of the nurse in combating human trafficking. American Journal of Nursing, 111(2), 28–37. DOI: 10.1097/01.NAJ.0000394289.55577.b6.
Leah Posted:
Human trafficking is considered a form of modern-day slavery. It is a crime that occurs when someone (the trafficker) compels the victim by force, fraud, or coercion to perform labor, services, or commercial sex (Centers for Disease Control n.d.). While human trafficking is never the victim’s fault, there are some situations that can make people more susceptible to trafficking. Some of those include, but are not limited to; being displaced from their home, lack of support from family and friends, unable to be self-sufficient or earn an income. Certain populations can also be more susceptible to trafficking. Populations such as those with cognitive disabilities, runaways, refugees, and members of lower socioeconomic groups, to name a few.
According to the Human Rights Commission (n.d.) there are 3 main types of human trafficking; sex trafficking, forced labor, and debt bondage. Healthcare workers, and nurses in particular can play a huge role in identifying victims of human trafficking. Because nurses tend to be one of the first to care for a patient, it is important for them to know the signs of trafficking and to be vigilant in looking for them. Anyone can be a victim to human trafficking. The National Human Trafficking Resource Center (n.d.) gives a list of signs to watch out for, both physical and psychological. Physical signs include; poor dental health, malnutrition, musculoskeletal injuries, untreated skin infections, and somatization- recurrent medical issues with no discernable cause. Psychological symptoms can include; conflicting stories, panic/anxiety attacks, paranoid behavior, unable to make decisions for themselves, and irritability.
It is crucial for nurses to recognize and report any signs or symptoms that could possibly be related to human trafficking. Nurses can participate in learning modules and continuing education to increase their knowledge on this topic. A nurse's job is to advocate for their patients, especially when they cannot be an advocate for themselves. Many times, victims will come to hospitals and clinics seeking for help, but unable to ask for it. Nurses need to be sensitive to these situations. It is important for the patient to feel safe and valued. Building a foundation of trust between the patient and the nurse is paramount. Nurses should be careful not to retraumatize the patient, or make them feel like they are not in control of their situation. If a nurse has any reason to suspect a patient may be a victim of human trafficking, it is their duty to report it immediately. Calls can be made to the Human Trafficking Resource Center.
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (n.d.) Violence Prevention: Trafficking
Human Rights Commission (n.d.) What is Human Trafficking?
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The National Human Trafficking Resource Center (n.d.) Recognizing and Responding to Human Trafficking in a Healthcare Context
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