● Sex trafficking indicators: May have indicators from the above as well: ○ Patient is under the age of 18 and is involved in the commercial sex industry. ○ Has tattoos or other forms of branding, such as tattoos that say, “Daddy,” “Property of...,” “For sale,” etc. ○ Reports an unusually high numbers of sexual partners, abortions, or pregnancy. ○ Does not have appropriate clothing for the weather or venue. ○ Uses language common in the commercial sex industry. ○ Shows signs of physical and/or sexual abuse, physical restraint, confinement, or torture. Note : The required signage that must be posted has the information needed to access the NHTH; this information should be available to all employees and would be shared with any suspected victim. The best option is always to notify the hotline and/or local law enforcement to activate the network of trained, dedicated agencies to get immediate help for the victim and maintain the safety of everyone in the immediate area, including massage employees and clients. The NHTH, 2020, also offers tips for the victim if they decide to leave. Though this information falls outside the massage therapist’s domain, it is included here for informational purposes only as part of the course requirement to build awareness, knowledge, skills, and strategies for support and assistance to victims. The following steps would be part of the support offered through the hotline, law enforcement, or support/assistance agency to victims ready to leave: ● If you are ever in immediate danger, the quickest way to access help is to call 911. ● If you are unsure of your current location, try to determine any indication of your locality, such as street signs outside the residence or place of employment, or newspapers/magazines/mail that may have the address listed. ● If it is safe to go outside, see if the address is listed anywhere on the building. ● If there are people nearby and it is safe to speak with them, ask them about your current location. ● Plan an escape route or exit strategy and rehearse it. ● Keep any important documents on or near you to be ready for immediate departure. ● Prepare a bag with any important documents/items and a change of clothes. ● Keep a written copy of important numbers on you at all times in case your phone is taken or destroyed at any point. Memorize important numbers/hotlines. ● Think about your next steps after you leave the situation. ● Contact trusted friends or relatives to notify them or to ask for assistance if comfortable. ● Contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline 24-hour hotline at 1-888-3737-888 to obtain local referrals for shelter or other social services and support. The hotline can also connect you with specialized law enforcement referrals. However, if you are ever in immediate danger, contact 911 first. ● During violent or explosive situations, avoid dangerous rooms. ● Examples of dangerous rooms: Kitchen (knives, sharp utensils, pots); garage (tools, sharp objects); bathroom (hard surfaces, no exits); basement (hard surfaces, no
○ Is not provided with adequate personal protective equipment for hazardous work. ○ Was recruited for different work than he/she is currently doing. ○ Is unpaid, paid very little, or paid only through tips. ○ High security measures exist in the work and/or living locations (e.g. opaque windows, boarded up windows, bars on windows, barbed wire, security cameras, etc.). ○ Is forced to meet daily quotas. ○ Is required to live in housing provided by employer. ○ Has a debt to employer or recruiter that he/she cannot pay off. Communication Identifying a potential trafficking victim may include communicating with them to determine how to proceed. It cannot be overstated that the safety of the therapist and victim is the priority, so in cases of imminent danger call 911. The following suggestions on communication are offered for information only to increase awareness and understanding of the victim’s situation and needs and to build communication skills in the event of contact with a potential victim in person or by phone. Some of the communication suggestions may extend beyond the comfort level or scope of the massage therapist, depending upon the relationship or frequency of contact with the victim. In that case, the communication may be best handled by the law enforcement or support agency so a call to report the situation to the NHTH is the proper action. Contact with a potential victim may be spontaneous or unexpected, so reviewing these communication strategies may help prepare for a chance encounter; aid in identification; inform the need to report; build rapport with the victim; and provide encouragement for the victim to support them in seeking assistance and possibly self- reporting. The NHTH, 2020, provides the following suggestions when communicating with suspected victims who may be in dangerous situations. When communicating with someone in a dangerous or potential trafficking situation, always provide NHTH and local law enforcement 911 contact information. NHTH suggests the following: ● Recognize that the person in the situation knows their situation best, and that it is necessary to honor their requests to ensure their safety. ● Maintain open and nonjudgmental communication, ensuring they know they can reach out at any time, and end the call when they need to. ● Try to speak in person if possible. ● If that is not possible, try to speak on the phone first [rather than via text or social media messaging] and ask if the person is alone, and then use yes/no questions until they indicate it is safe to communicate more freely. ● If they are alone, try to establish safety words: One word to indicate it is safe to talk/the person is alone [for future communications] and one to indicate it is no longer safe to talk and what the person in the situation would like done [cease communication immediately/contact law enforcement/etc.]. ● Try to learn more about safety concerns. ● Try to learn more about their needs/wishes moving forward [reporting, shelter, counseling, legal services].
ASSISTANCE TO VICTIMS
Page 83
Book Code: MFL1225
EliteLearning.com/Massage-Therapy
Powered by FlippingBook