Human trafficking: what is the role of the health care provider?

Date

2011

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Journal of Applied Research on Children: Informing Policy for Children at Risk

Abstract

HCPs [Health Care Professionals] working with victims and within communities, health care and educational settings may become involved in outreach that may be beneficial to ending trafficking. Activities may be developed to make trafficking less hidden by making individuals and communities aware of it. Within community education and training centers and religious, clinical and other types of settings, materials, posters and fliers can be posted and on display. Training materials, talking points, PowerPoint presentations and videos may be obtained online and used at meetings or education sessions to generate discussion, share resources, and agency protocol development. Use of movies such as “Trade” or “Cargo: Innocence Lost” are available to generate church, classroom or community discussions. Although they are movies, the brutal reality of trafficking is depicted and helps people to understand the critical issues and need for multi-disciplinary agency cooperation. With sensitive trainings and help, HCPs and educators can guide individuals toward understanding the cultural, language, financial and other layers involved in trafficking and the challenges and threats victims face throughout their experiences. Resources and special services and outreach for trafficking victims can be added to local existing referral lists. Specialist teams with translators and an HCP can be trained to connect resources and manage cases from the health, advocacy and legal avenues to assure ongoing support, and survival, protection, and assistance for victims. Solutions may begin with point of discovery in a health clinic, but true survival over the long-term for victims of human trafficking who escape their entrapment will depend on interventions appropriate for the stage they are in, consideration of the cultural context and ensuring that the trafficking victims themselves are involved in final solutions. Services and occupational options in the destination point must be considered of value rather than making the assumption that repatriation is the victim’s best option. (Author Text)

Description

Keywords

child abuse, commercial exploitation, CSEC, mandatory reporting, intervention, treatment, therapy, healthcare professionals, overview

Citation

Crane, Patricia A. ; Moreno, Melissa. (2011). Human trafficking: what is the role of the health care provider?. Journal of Applied Research on Children: Informing Policy for Children at Risk, 2(1), 1-27.

DOI