Hospitals Focus on a New Medical Threat- The Silent Victims of Human Trafficking
A Hospital around the country focus on a new diagnosis- Human trafficking.
Human trafficking victims enter and exit our community healthcare systems on a regular basis, often completely undetected. Our hospital emergency rooms usually bear the brunt of these visits. Throughout America, we need to be committed to offer anti human trafficking training to health care staff.
Many hospitals do a great job looking out for signs of child abuse, domestic violence, and elder abuse, but more training is needed to identify signs of trafficking. Helping human trafficking victims with support services like DSS, counseling, and safe shelter options is crucial for holistic healing. Trafficking victims often experience severe sexual and emotional trauma, which often goes undetected in a brief medical screening. Identifying these victims in health care settings can help connect them with appropriate treatment, leading to recovery from their abuse.
For more information: Read, NPR’s Hospitals Gear up For New Diagnosis: Human Trafficking July 24, 2018