Healthcare
As a healthcare professional, you have a critical role in recognizing child sexual abuse, exploitation, or trafficking, and the ability to create pathways for your patients and their families to find health and healing.
Healthcare is in the top 3 points of access for victims and survivors of human trafficking.
69% of trafficked survivors in the U.S. had access to healthcare during exploitation.
85% of these survivors received treatment for illnesses and injuries directly related to their exploitation.
Most trafficking survivors seen in healthcare facilities are seen in the Emergency Department.
Reclaim13 Wants to Partner With YOU
We offer trainings focusing on human trafficking for healthcare audiences.
Did you know…
• In the U.S., the lifetime prevalence of sexual abuse or assault through the age of 17 years old is 26.6% for girls and 5.1% for boys.
• The CDC estimates that in the U.S., child sexual abuse has cost $9.3 billion.
• According to the CDC, survivors of child sexual abuse are 2-3 times more likely to experience sexual revictimization.
• The majority of females who are sexually exploited have a history of child sexual abuse, especially abuse that is more severe, of longer duration, and started at an earlier age.
There is NO SUCH THING as a child prostitute…
In an adult, force, fraud, or coercion need to be present to qualify as trafficking. Force, fraud, or coercion DO NOT need to be present for anyone under the age of 18 performing a commercial sex act to qualify the action as human trafficking.
Mandated Reporting: Under the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act, all human trafficking of minors is legally child abuse and requires mandated reporting
There are many barriers to self-identification…
•They may not identify with being a victim or being trafficked
•Shame or guilt
•FEAR of trafficker | FEAR of arrest, deportation, or report to social services
•Lack of understanding of the healthcare system or their rights
•Emotional trauma bonding | loyalty to trafficker
•Lack of trust in others
Why don’t our patients just tell the truth?
Accompanied by a controlling companion
Scripted history; history inconsistent with presentation
Unaware of time, place
Older significant other
Tattoos indicating money, sex work, traffickers’ names
School absences, truancy
Change in behavior
Mental health complaints | anxiety, depression, PTSD, suicidal ideation
Evidence of delayed care, medical neglect
Multiple injuries in various stages of healing
Frequent pregnancy testing, STIs, abortions
Somatic symptoms
Trauma responses
Malnourishment, poor hygiene
Fear, submission
FOR PROFESSIONALS BLOG
Children and Youth are especially vulnerable…
Impulsivity
Sexual curiosity
Desire for independence | Conflict with caretakers
Risk-taking behaviors
Peer pressure
High interet, social media use
Screen for and address vulnerabilities…
Prevention and early intervention are key in the fight against child sexual abuse and exploitation.
Know your local resources: Law enforcement, social services, child protective services, mental health, hospitals with pediatric care, sexual abuse/exploitation/trafficking organizations, local children’s advocacy center.