In the National Human Trafficking Hotline/Resource Center’s (NHTRC) report, Recognizing and Responding to Human Trafficking in a Healthcare Context, they detail the many presentations you might see, and how important it is to recognize signs of trafficking in the behavior of patients you see in your daily practice.

Test your knowledge on the questions below.

1. For which of the following reasons do victims of human trafficking present for healthcare treatment?

1. Injuries, assaults, and emergency treatment
2. Prenatal and gynecologic care
3. Routine medical exams
4. Mental health and addiction issues
5. All of the above  

2. Victims of human trafficking may display which of the following signs of trauma?

1. Post-traumatic stress disorder
2. Memory disruption
3. Trauma bonding
4. All of the above  

3. Clinicians who suspect human trafficking should immediately report it to authorities for further action. (TRUE/FALSE)

ANSWERS

1. For which of the following reasons do victims of human trafficking present for healthcare treatment?

Answer: E

Victims of human trafficking seek medical care for reasons resulting from injuries or maltreatment and routine care for potentially unrelated problems.

(More details can be found on page 9 of the NHTRC report.)  

2. Victims of human trafficking may display which of the following signs of trauma?  

Answer: D

Victims of human trafficking may display multiple signs of trauma that extend to PTSD, memory disruption, and trauma bonding (such as Stockholm Syndrome)  

(More details can be found on page 23 of the NHTRC report.)

3. Clinicians who suspect human trafficking should immediately report it to authorities for further action. (TRUE/FALSE:)

Answer: FALSE

No official action should be taken before the first precept is met to ensure that the patient’s primary health and safety needs are met.

(More details, including an assessment tool, can be found on pages 25 and 26 of the NHTRC report.)

Click here to visit the NHT website.