Prevention, Recognition, and Response to Human Trafficking: Practical Application for Pediatric Clinical Environments

Author: Peck, Jessica; Kletzli, Anna; Kletzli, Sarah & Spees, Jason

Abstract: Human trafficking (HT) is a proliferating criminal industry that adversely impacts mental and physical health for exploited individuals, especially children, adolescents, and young adults. Yet HT often goes undetected in the clinical setting. Clinicians are not immune to common misconceptions associated with sociodemographic constructs precluding identification of risk and pediatric patients often will not self-disclose victimization. National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners Partners has published an online evidence-based, survivor-informed, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive HT toolkit for pediatric healthcare providers. The toolkit aims to provide practical guidance addressing unique needs of pediatric patients who present in clinical settings at risk for or experiencing HT. This article highlights the HT toolkit components and discusses practical application in the healthcare setting.

Keywords: human trafficking, human rights abuses, child abuse, sexual, adverse childhood experiences, trauma nursing