Empowerment, voice, and choice The closely related concepts of empowering trafficked individuals and teaching them that they have both a voice and a choice are some of the most important concepts of trauma- informed care. Empowering is giving an individual or group the ability to make choices and turn these decisions into actions and outcomes (World Bank Group, 2011). By embodying these concepts, a trafficked person may be able to escape the exploitation. Directing patients to materials and resources that can support them is one way to help empower them and build on their strengths (Jorge-Birol, 2010). Systematic use of trauma-informed care Every member of a healthcare organization can use trauma- informed care, even those without a distinct medical or health- related position. It is commonly believed that trauma-informed care refers to the organization and actions of a larger system (Heffernan & Blythe, 2014). Individuals can apply a trauma- National resources An increase in awareness has sparked the creation and improvement of anti-human-trafficking efforts. This is seen in the increase in national organizations and the wide variety of resources they provide trafficked individuals. The collection of Local resources Some of the most valuable resources for trafficked individuals are located within the specific state, town, or care center in which the patient is seen. These resources include organizations that provide medical care, substance abuse treatment, mental health services, legal assistance, and law enforcement. Medical care According to the Polaris Project, trafficked individuals are most likely to be seen in emergency departments/hospitals, followed by reproductive clinics and primary care offices (Polaris Project, 2018). Their health needs can range from severe to minor and can require immediate medical attention or less urgent yet important care. Helping to ensure that these patients receive the care they need and proper follow-up care is a vital part of caring for trafficked patients (Konstantopoulos et al., 2013). When providing medical care, there are several important points of trauma-informed care to employ. Providing the patient with privacy is important, as is discreetly informing other providers who will be attending to the patient of the additional care needed to avoid retraumatization (Clawson et al., 2008; Konstantopoulos et al., 2013). Mental health services Mental health services are vital for any individual who has experienced a traumatic event. Some require more services than others. Those who are diagnosed with PTSD and other stress-related disorders are at increased risk for developing mental disorders such as depression and anxiety (Gradus et al., 2015). Without intervention and monitoring, the effects of trafficking and trauma can cause further traumatic effects. Shelter When facing the challenges of escaping from a trafficker, one of the biggest obstacles will be finding a place to sleep and live while recovering. To be empowered enough to escape trafficking, the trafficked person needs immediate options for food, water, and shelter. Without these, success is less likely and the person may succumb to the trafficker’s manipulations. Housing resources might be found through other organizations, such as those that aid in child protective services and some religious organizations combating human trafficking. All shelter options should be reviewed with the care team, including any case managers, social workers, law enforcement, and, most important, the survivor.
Peer support Sharing experiences with fellow trafficking survivors is powerful for recovery and healing; it helps establish mutual self-help, collaboration, and safety (SAMHSA, 2014). If there is a strong, trusting relationship between trafficking patients and providers, the trafficked individuals may be able to provide immediate support to trafficked peers and possibly bring these peers to healthcare facilities. Cultural, historical, and gender issues Collectively, healthcare organizations should offer patients gender-responsive services and respect cultural and traditional practices when possible (SAMHSA, 2014). Individual healthcare professionals should be aware of personal biases. informed lens to specific situations to maximize the potential of this intervention and to evaluate existing practices. Trafficked individuals need trauma-informed care and symptom-specific interventions.
INTERVENTION ORGANIZATIONS AND RESOURCES
organizations fighting against trafficking is constantly evolving and includes nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and child protection services. A list of these organizations is found in the Resources section. Legal assistance and law enforcement The legal system can become confusing and intimidating for trafficked individuals. Both labor and sex trafficking have legal implications for many individuals. Those in the sex industry fear legal prosecution for apparent prostitution. Foreign nationals involved in labor or sex trafficking may fear deportation. The Trafficking Victims Protection Act was passed in 2000, officially making human trafficking a federal offense. The act also created the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, which, along with the Department of State, publishes the TIP Report annually (U.S. Department of State, 2015). The act, which is enforced by the Interagency Task Force to Monitor and Combat Trafficking, also established the T visa, allowing eligible trafficked individuals and their families to become temporary U.S. residents, with eligibility to become permanent residents after 3 years. Law enforcement officials should be contacted with discretion and when needed. Law enforcement is often crucial in creating a multidisciplinary team. However, calling law enforcement at the wrong time could cause the trafficked person to worry about the risk of arrest and other legal developments. Building trust is vital, and this trust may include telling the trafficked person when and whether law enforcement will be called. With pediatric cases, however, there are more challenging aspects to involving law enforcement. Some communities have a human trafficking task force as part of their law enforcement services. Task force members are often trained in trauma-informed approaches and the need to gather a thorough account of the trafficking details. Task forces can help provide a wide range of services such as case management and safety plans to help victims escape their trafficker over time. Social services Social work professionals should be included in the care of trafficked individuals whenever possible. These members provide invaluable insight into many of these areas of recovery for trafficking survivors and have previous experience working with organizations such as Child Protective Services and the Department of Justice.
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