A Framework for the Development of Healthcare Provider Education Programs on Human Trafficking Part Three: Recommendations

Author: Miller, Cathy; Chisolm-Straker, Makini; Duke, Gloria & Stoklosa, Hanni

Abstract: Human Trafficking (HT) also known as Trafficking in Persons (TIP) is increasingly recognized as a public health problem. This increased awareness has prompted healthcare providers (HCP), healthcare organizations, non-governmental organizations (NGO), and governmental entities to develop healthcare provider education programs and curricular content. While well-intentioned, some education programs lack an evidence-based, trauma-informed, survivor-informed approach. Evidence shows that survivors report experiencing mental and physical harm, from shame and humiliation, to sexual assault from HCPs when seeking care services. As organizations endeavor to provide education to HCPs on HT, organizations have a responsibility to ensure content delivered is evidence-based, trauma-informed, and survivor informed. This paper seeks to provide such recommendations and guidelines and is based on the findings of a two-round Delphi study of subject matter and survivor experts and the best available evidence (Stoklosa, Miller, Duke, & Chisolm-Straker, 2019; Chisolm-Straker, Miller, Duke, & Stoklosa, 2019).

Keywords: human trafficking, healthcare provider education, Delphi Method, sex trafficking, labor trafficking