Human trafficking: How ObGyns can—and should—be helping survivors
ObGyns are uniquely positioned to help these victimized women, children, and men—of whom there are believed to be more than 20 million worldwide—and thus combat a tragic epidemic, 1 patient at a time
IN THIS ARTICLE
- Clues to raise suspicion
- Medical consequences of trafficking
- Screening algorithm
Finding assistance and support
Centers in the United States now provide trauma-informed care for trafficking survivors in a confidential setting (see “Specialized care is increasingly available”).24 A physician who works at a center in New York City noted: “Our survivors told us that more than fear or pain, the feelings that sat with them most often were worthlessness and invisibility. We can do better as physicians and as educators to expose this epidemic and care for its victims.”24
Here is a sampling of the growing number of centers in the United States that provide trauma-centered care for survivors of human trafficking:
- Survivor Clinic at New York Presbyterian Hospital-Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York
- EMPOWER Clinic for Survivors of Sex Trafficking and Sexual Violence at NYU Langone Health, New York, New York
- Freedom Clinic at Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
- The Hope Through Health Clinic, Austin, Texas
- Pacific Survivor Center, Honolulu, Hawaii
Most clinicians practice in settings that do not have easy access to such subspecialized centers, however. For them, the National Human Trafficking Hotline can be an invaluable resource (see “Hotline is a valuable resource”).25 Law enforcement and social services colleagues also can be useful allies.
,Uncertain how you can help a patient who is a victim of human trafficking? For assistance and support, contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline--24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and in 200 languages--in any of 3 ways:
- By telephone: (888) 373-7888
- By text: 233733
- On the web: https://humantraffickinghotline.orga
aIncludes a search field that clinicians can use to look up the nearest resources for additional assistance.
Let’s turn our concern and awareness into results
We, as providers of women’s health care, are uniquely positioned to help these most vulnerable of people, many of whom have been stripped of personal documents and denied access to financial resources and community support. As a medical community, we should strive to combat this tragic epidemic, 1 patient at a time.
Share your thoughts! Send your Letter to the Editor to rbarbieri@mdedge.com. Please include your name and the city and state in which you practice.
