ABSTRACT
The Department of Health and Human Services has been increasing the amount of funding it provides to NGO's for programs that combat human trafficking and offer support services to identified victims. International norms can influence the responsibility of national governments to provide health care assistance to human trafficking victims. The way in which a population views the issue of human trafficking often dictates the focus of legislation developed to address the issue. One international law that requires the governments of ratifying countries to provide victims of human trafficking with health care services is The United Nations Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children. Despite the existence of international and national legislation that provide victims of human trafficking with the rights to healthcare services, the successful implementation of said legislation depends on the performance of national govern ments, law enforcement, and public health agencies working together to identify the victims.
