7 Recognizing and Responding to Human Trafficking in Texas: Summary
Risk Assessment and Safety Planning If trafficking has been disclosed, clinicians can help the patient by: • Having the patient assess their own personal risk • Making an independent judgment about that risk and communicating this opinion to the patient • Talking about safety planning • Making referrals to appropriate case management services for more detailed safety planning and case management “Red flag” signs of heightened risk include: • More frequent or severe threats or assaults • New or increasingly violent behavior by the perpetrator • Increasing or new threats of homicide (or suicide by the trafficker) if the patient discloses • The presence or availability of lethal weapons in the residence Safety and Training of Healthcare Workers Since traffickers may be involved in various criminal enterprises, protecting and training healthcare workers is essential. Quality improvement programs of various kinds can create and support policy changes regarding safety and high-quality healthcare systems. One training program specific to human trafficking is SOAR to Health and Wellness Training. SOAR is an acronym for Stop, Observe, Ask, and Respond to Human Trafficking. The program is available at https://www.acf.hhs.gov/otip/training/soar- to-health-and-wellness-training Legal Considerations “Healthcare providers are not required to—and in fact may not—report suspected instances of human trafficking that involve a competent adult victim, without the patient’s express consent.” Clinicians should not involve law enforcement and/or social service providers (e.g., housing/shelter services, legal services, and case management) without first obtaining the explicit informed consent of the patient, or
unless otherwise required under relevant law. Privacy breaches can erode the provider–patient relationship and remove the autonomy patients deserve and need for making informed decisions for their own safety and future. Domestic as well as international victims of human trafficking have specific legal rights under federal and state law but may not know of these rights or be able to exercise them. If the patient is willing, a referral to law enforcement, attorneys, or legal service providers is appropriate. Conclusion Clinicians, as “first contacts,” have an imperative to make a difference for their patients. Human trafficking poses many health risks, including physical injury, death, and/or long-lasting psychological damage. Clinicians who encounter a trafficked person or other exploited individual have a unique opportunity to provide essential medical care and supportive referral options that may be an individual’s first step toward safety and recovery.
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