Annals of Emergency Medicine
Volume 68, Issue 4, 2016, Pages 501-508.e1

Human Trafficking: A Guide to Identification and Approach for the Emergency Physician (Review) (Open Access)

Shandro J.* , Chisolm-Straker M. , Duber H.C. , Findlay S.L. , Munoz J. , Schmitz G. , Stanzer M. , Stoklosa H. , Wiener D.E. , Wingkun N.
  • a Division of Emergency Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, United States, ACEP Public Health and Injury Prevention Committee, United States
  • b Department of Emergency Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States, HEAL Trafficking, United States
  • c Division of Emergency Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, United States, ACEP Public Health and Injury Prevention Committee, United States
  • d Department of Emergency Medicine Residency, University of Iowa School of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, United States, ACEP Academic Affairs Committee, United States
  • e Pali Momi Medical Center, Emergency Services, Aiea, HI, United States
  • f ACEP Academic Affairs Committee, United States, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at San AntonioTX, United States
  • g Emergency Medicine Residency, John Peter Smith Health Network, Fort Worth, TX, and the EMSC, United States
  • h HEAL Trafficking, United States, Departments of Emergency Medicine and Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
  • i ACEP Public Health and Injury Prevention Committee, United States, Bronx Lebanon Hospital Center, Bronx, NY, United States
  • j ACEP Public Health and Injury Prevention Committee, United States, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Texas–Houston, Houston, TX, United States

Abstract

Human trafficking is a significant human rights problem that is often associated with psychological and physical violence. There is no demographic that is spared from human trafficking. Traffickers maintain control of victims through physical, sexual, and emotional violence and manipulation. Because victims of trafficking seek medical attention for the medical and psychological consequences of assault and neglected health conditions, emergency clinicians are in a unique position to recognize victims and intervene. Evaluation of possible trafficking victims is challenging because patients who have been exploited rarely self-identify. This article outlines the clinical approach to the identification and treatment of a potential victim of human trafficking in the emergency department. Emergency practitioners should maintain a high index of suspicion when evaluating patients who appear to be at risk for abuse and violence, and assess for specific indicators of trafficking. Potential victims should be evaluated with a multidisciplinary and patient-centered technique. Furthermore, emergency practitioners should be aware of national and local resources to guide the approach to helping identified victims. Having established protocols for victim identification, care, and referrals can greatly facilitate health care providers’ assisting this population. © 2016 American College of Emergency Physicians

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

patient care abuse human violence statistics and numerical data priority journal emergency ward human rights Humans male female Review prevention and control victim human trafficking adult hospital emergency service Emergency Service, Hospital emergency physician medical decision making Child
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84964670730&doi=10.1016%2fj.annemergmed.2016.03.049&partnerID=40&md5=29cad68796c850298ec3a24c13abe2fd
DOI: 10.1016/j.annemergmed.2016.03.049
ISSN: 01960644
Cited by: 24
Original Language: English