Screening for Human Trafficking: Best Practice Guidelines and Recommendations for Health Care Providers

Human trafficking (HT) is a federal and international crime and is regarded as one of the most pressing human rights issues. Adult and minor victims are trafficked by force (rape, beatings, confinement), fraud, and coercion resulting in profound physical and psychological injuries (Chisolm-Straker et al., 2019, p. 72; Department of Homeland Security, 2020; Vera Institute of Justice, 2014, p. 6). Most clinicians fail to recognize HT victims (Egyud et al., 2017; Leslie, 2018; Mason, 2018; McDow & Dols, 2020; Mostajabian et al., 2019; Patient Safety Monitor Journal, 2017; Stevens & Dinkle, 2020). This policy brief’s purpose is to provide health care providers with a validated HT screening tool and best practice guidelines and recommendations to aid in victim identification. The strategies outlined are those published by the Vera Institute of Justice’s HT Victim Identification Tool and are endorsed by the Emergency Nurses Association and the International Association of Forensic Nurses (Chisolm-Straker et al., 2019; Egyud et al., 2017; Leslie, 2018; McDow & Dols, 2020; Mostajabian et al., 2019; Peck, 2020; Stevens & Dinkle, 2020, p. e1; Vera Institute of Justice, 2014). These proposals will increase the likelihood that patients experiencing sexual and labor exploitation will be identified (Chisolm-Straker et al., 2019; Egyud et al., 2017; Leslie, 2018; McDow & Dols, 2020; Mostajabian et al., 2019; Peck, 2020; Stevens & Dinkle, 2020, p. e1; Vera Institute of Justice, 2014