What does this mean for us as nurses? It means that we are the perfect people to bring the law enforcement, healthcare and faith-based communities together to combat human trafficking.
The first step is for nurses to learn the red flags and always be on the lookout for trafficking victims. We then need to educate others in our facilities how to recognize signs of trafficking and who to contact if we suspect trafficking. Many of us are part of the faith-based community. We each need to work with our churches to start educating the members of the church about trafficking, the dangers of pornography and strip clubs and how the church can get involved.
Some red flags that one should we aware of when it comes to identifying victims of human trafficking include:
• The person is fearful, anxious, depressed, submissive, tense or nervous and paranoid.
• They exhibit unusually fearful or anxious behavior after bringing up law enforcement or immigration officials.
• Shows signs of substance use or addiction.
• Shows signs of physical, sexual abuse, physical restraint, confinement or torture.
• The person is frequently monitored.
• Is not in control of money or identification.
• Cannot clarify address or where they are staying; may make claims of visiting.
• Is living and working on site.
These are just a few of the many signs of sex trafficking. More can be found at the Human Trafficking Hotline website.
Ultimately, even if you are not called to work in anti-human trafficking efforts you can learn the red flags and know how to assess patients to determine if there is a high likelihood that they are a trafficking victim. You can also learn what resources are available in your area so you are prepared if you discover that one of your patients is a victim of trafficking. If you suspect human trafficking you can call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or text HELP or INFO to BEFREE (233733).
These are just a few of the possibilities you can pursue with your Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Grand Canyon University. Visit our College of Nursing and Health Care Professions website and click on the Request More Information button. Our online admissions application is waiting for you.
• International Labor Organization. (n.d.). Forced labour, modern slavery, and human trafficking. Retrieved from http://www.ilo.org/global/topics/forced-labour/lang--en/index.htm
• National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. (n.d.). Child sex trafficking. Retrieved from http://www.missingkids.com/theissues/trafficking
• National Human Trafficking Hotline. (2020). Recognizing the signs. Retrieved from https://humantraffickinghotline.org/human-trafficking/recognizing-signs
• Polaris Project. (2018). Report: On-ramps, intersections, and exit routes: A roadmap for systems and industries to prevent and disrupt human trafficking. Retrieved from https://polarisproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/A-Roadmap-for-Systems-and-Industries-to-Prevent-and-Disrupt-Human-Trafficking-Social-Media.pdf