It’s a typical night in the emergency room, and you’re doing your typical shift. After a cup of coffee, the dull night is broken up by a young woman with what appears to be a deep cut slightly above her left eyebrow. She is accompanied by a man who says he’s her father, but they look nothing alike. She won’t look you in the eye, and the man answers all the questions, even when you insist he let her speak.
The few questions she musters a reply to are answered with very few words and barely in a whisper. One of those questions was about the multiple noticeable bruises on her arms and legs. The cut, the man says, is from a fall. “She is so clumsy,” he jokes. You notice her awkwardly tugging at her crop top and short skirt, trying to cover up what she can, while the man tries to explain her visible injuries.
You treat the cut and send the couple on their way.
Later in the night, you can’t shake the feeling – could this have been a case of human trafficking?
A study by Johns Hopkins University states that at least 70% of human trafficking survivors access health care in some capacity during their exploitation.
Erin Hart, FNP-BC, co-chair of the Health Care Subcommittee for the Tri-County Human Trafficking Task Force, explained that victims of human trafficking will seek health care for a variety of reasons, from regular checkups to emergency care. “They’ll come for reproductive care, like pregnancy or to seek contraception. Some might need treatment for a sexually transmitted infection. They’ll come in for assault, whether physical or sexual,” she explained.
Rachael Garrett, director of community programs at Dee Norton Child Advocacy Center and co-chair of the Child Direct Services Subcommittee of the Tri-County Human Trafficking Task Force, shared a fact sheet for medical professionals on how to identify child sex trafficking if they suspect it during patient interaction.
Some of the “red flags” are:
• Multiple sexually transmitted infections;
• Injuries inconsistent with the explanation offered;
• Restrictive work regulations – not free to leave or excessive work hours;
• Substance abuse;
• Mental illness;
• Sexual or physical assault – history of abuse;
• Multiple pregnancies and other OBGYN concerns;
• Person is in the company of someone aggressive and controlling;
• Person is reluctant to provide full or accurate information; does not have an ID or immigration documents.
Garrett explained that when there is a suspicion of human trafficking for a minor, there are more robust systems in place in the state of South Carolina, where health care professionals can reach out to local advocacy centers which will then involve the Department of Social Services and law enforcement.
“It is mandatory for health care providers to report a suspected human trafficking case with minors in our state,” Garrett said. “There are many programs available for children under 18.”
She went on to explain that the same cannot be said for adult victims of human trafficking. “If the victim is over 18, we legally can’t intervene on their behalf unless they are willing.”
Hart added, “For adults, there are resources, but they have to be willing and many are not. We can supply them with the resources, and we can offer help if they are ready to accept.”
Both Hart and Garrett agreed that building trust is the most important aspect when intervening with a suspected human trafficking victim.
Garrett said, “We need to change our perspective on what human trafficking is. It can happen in any demographic, and, most of the time, it is not some underground thing.”
It could be that the child’s parent coerced them into human trafficking to make extra money for the family, the victim could have been bullied into the situation by threats from peers or it could be due to a desperate situation where the child or adult is without basic needs like shelter and food.
“I often hear medical professionals say they have never treated a human trafficking victim, but I tell them they have. They are just missing the signs,” Hart said.
Medical professionals can request free training for themselves and their team from the Tri-County Human Trafficking Task Force by visiting tricountyhttf.org/request-training.
By Theresa Stratford
