Talking to suspected victims

Talking to suspected victims

• Separate the person who is suspected of being trafficked from the person who has brought them into the office, clinic or hospital.
• Foster rapport and trust.
• Sit at eye level Maintain eye contact.
• Attend to physical needs, food, water, bathroom use.
• Use a professional interpreter if needed.
• Use one of the recommended screening tools.
• Ask about safety. (Shandro et al, 2016; deChesnay, 2013)

Here is a list of questions recommended by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to help identify trafficked victims:

• Can you leave your job or situation if you want?
• Can you come and go as you please?
• Have you been threatened if you try to leave?
• Have you been physically harmed in any way?
• What are your working or living conditions like?
• Where do you sleep and eat?
• Do you sleep in a bed, on a cot or on the floor?
• Have you ever been deprived of food, water, sleep or medical care?
• Do you have to ask permission to eat, sleep or go to the bathroom?
• Are there locks on your doors and windows so you cannot get out?
• Has anyone threatened your family?
• Has your identification or documentation been taken from you?
• Is anyone forcing you to do anything that you do not want to do?
  https://www.acf.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/orr/screening_questions_to_assess
  _whether_a_person_is_a_trafficking_victim_0.pdf.

What prevents victims from asking for help from health professionals

Close surveillance by traffickers

Most victims report their traffickers hover near them when they are examined by a healthcare professional. The traffickers often fill out the paper work.

I didn’t tell the nurse about my situation because the man was, like, around there, so we couldn’t really talk about our situation. He was outside, but he would walk in the hallway where we were, where we were at. He would try to find a way to see if they could listen in. Marisol (Baldwin, et al, 2011, p. 41)

Believing the healthcare professional is working with the trafficker

Victims who see the same healthcare professional several times with no questions asked about why they have repeated injuries or frequent STDs or abortions believe the healthcare persons is involved in the trafficking.

Having no identification papers or money with which to escape

Threats against the safety of the victim and/or their families

Brainwashing by perpetrator

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