NONPF 39th Annual Meeting
Human trafficking, modern day slavery and an egregious violation of human rights, is one of the fastest growing criminal industries in the world (Polaris project 2010). It is estimated that annual profits from trafficking are $ 31 billion dollars. Profits gained by trafficking human beings are achieved through the use of force, coercion, fraud, deception and fear. Trafficking victims are deprived of their freedom and dignity as human beings (Polaris project 2010). The United States, which has only recently recognized the magnitude of human trafficking, is the destination for approximately14,500-17,500 victims of trafficking each year along with thousands of additional American citizens being trafficked within its borders (Polaris Project 2010).
Nursing assessment of potential victims of human trafficking is an essential skill for nurses should a victim of trafficking present for medical care for it may be the only opportunity that this person has to escape. Victims have been deprived of their identity, support, decision making ability and freedom. They often have been subjected to unrelenting sexual and physical abuse, psychological terror, deprivation of their most basic needs and hope for escape. Twenty eight percent of trafficking victims are seen in the health care system at least once during time in capture (Isaac, 2011). If these unfortunate victims have any glimmer of hope for rescue, it may come during the presentation to a hospital or clinic. Should a suspected victim be transported to a medical facility it is essential that the physician or nurse be aware of red-flag behaviors that should raise his or her index of suspicion that this person may have been trafficked.
