ABSTRACT
A 17-year-old girl from Venezuela with no significant medical history presents to a New York City emergency department after a recent episode of syncope. She is disoriented and withdrawn, and her father speaks on her behalf. On physical exam, she is underweight with tachycardia, exhibits diffuse abdominal tenderness, and displays poor eye contact. Labs are significant for mild microcytic anemia and electrolyte abnormalities, and there is concern for anorexia nervosa and malnourishment. After hospitalization and subsequent follow-up visits, a history of abuse is brought to light, and concern for both labor trafficking and sexual exploitation emerge. Because patients who are victims of human trafficking rarely self-disclose, it is important for healthcare professionals to receive training to recognize the signs of human trafficking, to establish a relationship built on trust, to utilize a trauma-informed and victim-centered approach to care, to provide close clinical follow-up, and to be familiar with nationwide and local resources for victims of human trafficking.
Learning ObjectivesAt the end of the chapter, readers will be able to:
Articulate one push factor and one pull factor for human trafficking;
Describe 3 distinct phases of human trafficking;
Identify at least 3 key steps to a trauma-informed approach when working with victims and survivors of human trafficking; and
Give examples of at least 2 resources available to victims of human trafficking.
