It is said that how we care for the most vulnerable in our communities reflects our shared humanity. Rooted in humanitarian and public health principles, this perspective underscores the need for equitable care and calls on healthcare professionals to recognize human trafficking and support victims with courage, clarity and accountability.
Healthcare settings are among the most frequent points of contact for human trafficking survivors. A report by the Safe House Project states that 88% of survivors access medical care while being actively exploited, and often multiple times during their trafficking experience. These encounters often occur during routine checkups, illness care or emergency visits. Despite the likelihood and frequency of a trafficking survivor’s interactions with the healthcare system, fewer than 1% of survivors are ever identified, according to the same report. Clearly, we can and should do better in addressing this issue.
You can read the full article from ProAssurance, now part of The Doctors Company, here.