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Greenbaum J, Kaplan D, Young J, Asnes AG, Gavril AR, Gilmartin ABH, Girardet RG, Heavilin ND, Laskey A, Messner SA, Mohr BA, Nienow SM, Rosado N, Forkey H, Keefe R, Keeshin B, Matjasko J, Edward H, Stedt E, Linton J, Gutierrez R, Caballero T, Falusi O“LO, Giri M, Griffin M, Ibrahim A, Mukerjee K, Shah S, Shapiro A, Young J. Exploitation, Labor and Sex Trafficking of Children and Adolescents: Health Care Needs of Patients. Pediatrics 2023; 151:190310. [PMID: 36827522 DOI: 10.1542/peds.2022-060416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Exploitation and labor and sex trafficking of children and adolescents is a major public health problem in the United States and throughout the world. Significant numbers of US and non-US-born children and adolescents (including unaccompanied immigrant minors) are affected by this growing concern and may experience a range of serious physical and mental health problems associated with human trafficking and exploitation (T/E). Despite these considerations, there is limited information available for health care providers regarding the nature and scope of T/E and how providers may help recognize and protect children and adolescents. Knowledge of risk factors, recruitment practices, possible indicators of T/E, and common medical, mental, and emotional health problems experienced by affected individuals will assist health care providers in recognizing vulnerable children and adolescents and responding appropriately. A trauma-informed, rights-based, culturally sensitive approach helps providers identify and treat patients who have experienced or are at risk for T/E. As health care providers, educators, and leaders in child advocacy and development, pediatricians play an important role in addressing the public health issues faced by children and adolescents who experience exploitation and trafficking. Working across disciplines with professionals in the community, health care providers can offer evidence-based medical screening, treatment, and holistic services to individuals who have experienced T/E and assist vulnerable patients and families in recognizing signs of T/E.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan Greenbaum
- International Centre for Missing and Exploited Children, Alexandria, Virginia
| | - Dana Kaplan
- Department of Pediatrics, Staten Island University Hospital, Northwell Health Physician Partners, Staten Island, New York.,The Barbara and Donald Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead, New York
| | - Janine Young
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, California
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Jain J, Bennett M, Bailey MD, Liaou D, Kaltiso SAO, Greenbaum J, Williams K, Gordon MR, Torres MIM, Nguyen PT, Coverdale JH, Williams V, Hari C, Rodriguez S, Salami T, Potter JE. Creating a Collaborative Trauma-Informed Interdisciplinary Citywide Victim Services Model Focused on Health Care for Survivors of Human Trafficking. Public Health Rep 2022; 137:30S-37S. [PMID: 35775914 DOI: 10.1177/00333549211059833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Although human trafficking is recognized as a public health issue, research on the health effects of human trafficking and best intervention practices is limited. We describe 2 citywide collaborative victim services models, the THRIVE (Trafficking, Healthcare, Resources, and Interdisciplinary Victim Services and Education) Clinic at the University of Miami and Jackson Health System in Miami, Florida, and the Greater Houston Area Pathways for Advocacy-based, Trauma-Informed Healthcare (PATH) Collaborative at Baylor College of Medicine, CommonSpirit Health, and San Jose Clinic in Houston, Texas, funded in part by the Office for Victims of Crime, which focus on trauma-informed health care delivery for victims of human trafficking. From June 2015 through September 2021, the THRIVE Clinic served 214 patients with an average age of 28.7 years at the time of their first visit. From October 2017 through September 2021, the PATH Collaborative received 560 suspected trafficking referrals, 400 of which screened positive for labor or sex trafficking. These models serve as a framework for replication of interdisciplinary practices to provide health care for this unique population and preliminary information about the strategies put in place to assist victims during their recovery. Key lessons include the importance of a citywide needs assessment, patient navigators, interdisciplinary care, and building community partnerships to ensure safe housing, transportation, identification, health insurance, vocation services, input from survivors, peer-to-peer mentorship, and medical-legal services. Further research is needed to understand the detrimental health effects of trafficking and the health care needs of victims. In addition, a need exists to develop optimal models of care for recovery and reintegration for this patient population and to address public health, legal, and medical policies to ensure access to and sustainability of comprehensive, trauma-informed, interdisciplinary victim services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juhi Jain
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.,Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | | | - Mark D Bailey
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Daniel Liaou
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, McGovern Medical School at UTHealth, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Sheri-Ann O Kaltiso
- Emergency Medicine Department, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Jordan Greenbaum
- Institute for Healthcare and Human Trafficking, Stephanie V. Blank Center for Safe and Healthy Children, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Kimberly Williams
- Anti-Human Trafficking Initiative, St. Luke's Health Division Administration, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Mollie R Gordon
- Anti-Human Trafficking Program, Division of Global Mental Health, Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Melissa I M Torres
- Anti-Human Trafficking Program, Division of Global Mental Health, Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Phuong T Nguyen
- Anti-Human Trafficking Program, Division of Global Mental Health, Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - John H Coverdale
- Anti-Human Trafficking Program, Division of Global Mental Health, Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Victor Williams
- Task Force, Georgia Coalition to Combat Human Trafficking, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Cayla Hari
- Department of Psychology and Philosophy, Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, TX, USA
| | - Samantha Rodriguez
- Department of Psychology and Philosophy, Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, TX, USA
| | - Temilola Salami
- Department of Psychology, Prairie View A&M University, Prairie View, TX, USA
| | - JoNell E Potter
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Science, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
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