This document discusses human trafficking in the United States and the role of healthcare providers. It notes that between 66-88% of human trafficking victims interact with healthcare during their captivity. The top states for human trafficking hotline calls are California, Texas, Florida, Ohio, and New York. The document provides indicators that a patient may be a trafficking victim, such as an inconsistent story, injuries, or not having control over documents. It instructs healthcare providers to contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline if they suspect someone is a victim so they can help assess the situation and get the patient help.

1. WHAT EVERY PHYSICIAN
NEEDS TO KNOW:
HUMAN TRAFFICKING
PART 1

2. 2.
Introduction
INTRODUCTION
Human trafficking
has reached epidemic
proportions in the U.S.
Between 66-88% of human
trafficking victims interact with
health care providers during their
captivity.

3. 3.
Definition
DEFINITION
Human trafficking is not the same as human smuggling.
Human trafficking is “a form of modern-day slavery in which
traffickers use force, fraud, or coercion to control victims
for the purpose of engaging in commercial sex acts or labor
services against his or her will.”

4. 4.
Top States
TOP STATES
The National Human Trafficking Hotline reports the following states
have the most hotline calls:
1. California
2. Texas
3. Florida
4. Ohio
5. New York
6. Michigan
7. Georgia
8. North Carolina
9. Pennsylvania
10. Nevada

5. 5.
Additional Facts
ADDITIONAL FACTS
According to the National Human Trafficking Hotline, human
trafficking:
• can happen to males and females;
• can happen to U.S citizens;
• occurs across different industries; and
• targets can come from any socioeconomic background.
However, traffickers typically target economically
vulernable populations.

6. Interactions typically occur in emergency departments, outpatient
clinics, and women’s health clinics. Reasons for these visits are
generally due to reproductive injuries and/or obtaining birth control.
This presents an opportunity for physicians and their staff to identify
trafficked persons and offer resources that may lead to their freedom.
HEALTH CARE AND
HUMAN TRAFFICKING
6.
Health Care

7. 7.
General Indicators
A victim of human trafficking may:
• offer a scripted or inconsistent history;
• hesitate to answer questions about an injury or illness;
• arrive accompanied by an individual who does not allow the patient
to speak for him- or herself or refuses to let the patient have privacy;
GENERAL INDICATORS OF
HUMAN TRAFFICKING

8. 8.
General Indicators
GENERAL INDICATORS OF
HUMAN TRAFFICKING
(Continued)
• avoid eye contact or seem fearful or nervous;
• be unable to identify his or her address, current location,
the date or time; or
• not have control of identification documents or money.
According to the National Human Trafficking Resource
Center.

9. 9.
Other Warning Signs
OTHER WARNING SIGNS
A list of additional warning signs from can be viewed here:
https://humantraffickinghotline.org/resources/what-look-
healthcare-setting

10. Building trust and establishing a safe space for a patient to discuss the
situation can take time.
Because it can be difficult to gain full disclosure from the patient, ask
open-ended questions to help you gather information about the patient’s
safety.
PATIENT DISCLOSURE
10.
Patient Disclosure

11. 11.
Contact
If and when trafficked patients consent to being helped, contact the
National Human Trafficking Hotline. The hotline should be contacted for
both minor and adult patients.
• 1-888-373-7888
• Text: 233733
• Teletype (TTY): 711
• Online chat: https://humantraffickinghotline.org/
CONTACT

12. 12.
Contact
CONTACT
Ask for assistance with assessment and next steps
(following all HIPAA and mandatory reporting regulations).
Law enforcement may need to become involved. The hotline
can help you contact the appropriate authorities.

13. 13.
Reporting Cases
REPORTING CASES
Because mandatory reporting laws vary by state, check your
state’s laws to establish your responsibilities as a health care
provider.
In cases involving minors, reporting is required in every state.

14. It is not always advisable to report adult patients without their consent.
In some cases you may be legally required to obtain consent from adult
patients, as reporting could put the patient in more danger.
REPORTING CASES
14.
Reporting Cases

15. 15.
Short-term Care
While the long-term care these patients need is often outside the scope
of practice, short-term identification can start the process of recovery
and transitioning to becoming a survivor of human trafficking.
SHORT-TERM VS.
LONG-TERM CARE

16. 16.
Source
“Human Trafficking: Raising awareness and identifying trafficked
persons in health care settings” in TMLT’s publication the Reporter Q4.
Access at https://hub.tmlt.org/reporter/reporter-quarter-3-2018.
SOURCE

17. PROTECTION FOR A
NEW ERA OF MEDICINE
ABOUT TMLT:
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Liability Trust (TMLT) provides malpractice insurance and related products
to physicians. Our purpose is to make a positive impact on the quality of
health care for patients by educating, protecting, and defending physicians.
www.tmlt.org
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