Advanced Emergency Nursing Journal
Volume 39, Issue 1, 2017, Pages 31-51

Identification and management of human trafficking victims in the emergency department (Article)

Hachey L.M.* , Phillippi J.C.
  • a Department of Nurse-Midwifery and Women's Health, University of Cincinnati, 9767 Acton Ct, Cincinnati, OH 45241, United States
  • b Vanderbilt University, School of Nursing, Nashville, TN, United States

Abstract

Health care practitioners serve an important role in identification and assistance of human trafficking victims. Advanced practice registered nurses, including certified nurse midwives, clinical nurse specialists, and nurse practitioners, are in a unique position to interact with persons trafficked and seen in the clinical setting, yet they require knowledge to identify the signs of human trafficking. Lack of training and education has been identified as a barrier for health care professionals to recognize human trafficking victims and implement needed health care services (M. Chisolm-Straker, L. D. Richardson, & T. Cossio, 2012; C. Ross et al., 2015). Barriers to identification and management include gap in knowledge about the process to screen for trafficking, to assist victims, and to make referrals. A patient-centered, trauma-informed approach can provide a safe environment to sensitively screen patients for human trafficking. Advanced practice registered nurses should be able to assess for trafficking indicators, collaborate with multidisciplinary service providers, and ensure understanding and availability of federal, state, and local resources to manage the care of victims of trafficking. © Copyright 2017 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

Author Keywords

sex trafficking Modern-day slavery Health consequences SEXUAL EXPLOITATION Human trafficking Human organ trafficking Health care practitioners

Index Keywords

Vulnerable Populations vulnerable population hospital emergency service Emergency Service, Hospital crime victim prevention and control human trafficking human Humans Crime Victims

Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85013663089&doi=10.1097%2fTME.0000000000000138&partnerID=40&md5=8347863f48e4199824a6c77c3a57bf60

DOI: 10.1097/TME.0000000000000138
ISSN: 19314485
Cited by: 7
Original Language: English