Sex Trafficking: Recognition and Referral of Pediatric Victims
Sex Trafficking: Recognition and Referral of Pediatric Victims
Recognized as a form of modern slavery, HST is taking place worldwide with a significant frequency within the US. The United Nations estimates that human trafficking is the third largest source of income for organized crime, after arms and drugs. United Nations Children's Fund statistics suggest that approximately 1.2 million children are trafficked for sexual exploitation worldwide each year. An estimated 293,000 American youths are at risk of becoming victims of HST. This at-risk vulnerable population includes runaways, homeless children, kidnapped children, and children living within foster care. HST comes in various forms and effects people of all genders, ages, and nationalities.
For people who have been trafficked, physical and mental health risks may have been in place before they were recruited into the trafficking process, continued throughout the exploitation period, and persisted even after being released. Health indicators of being trafficked include sexually transmitted infections, vaginal and rectal trauma, unintentional pregnancies, burns and lacerations, addictions, and mental health trauma. These indicators bring victims into contact with NPs, thereby providing the potential for identification and intervention.
NPs are critical in connecting victims of HST with services that are needed to initiate recovery from their circumstances and trauma. Care of HST victims requires a commitment between NPs, law enforcement, and community agencies to work collaboratively. This collaborative effort must revolve around the establishment of guidelines for patient identification, protocols for treatment and referral, and the development of consistent training calling for a multidisciplinary approach to addressing HST. NPs are in an optimal position to provide both frontline and key leadership when addressing HST among this vulnerable population and within the community. NPs are uniquely qualified and positioned to support ongoing initiatives to expand research and evidence-based strategies to combat this worldwide problem.
Conclusion
Recognized as a form of modern slavery, HST is taking place worldwide with a significant frequency within the US. The United Nations estimates that human trafficking is the third largest source of income for organized crime, after arms and drugs. United Nations Children's Fund statistics suggest that approximately 1.2 million children are trafficked for sexual exploitation worldwide each year. An estimated 293,000 American youths are at risk of becoming victims of HST. This at-risk vulnerable population includes runaways, homeless children, kidnapped children, and children living within foster care. HST comes in various forms and effects people of all genders, ages, and nationalities.
For people who have been trafficked, physical and mental health risks may have been in place before they were recruited into the trafficking process, continued throughout the exploitation period, and persisted even after being released. Health indicators of being trafficked include sexually transmitted infections, vaginal and rectal trauma, unintentional pregnancies, burns and lacerations, addictions, and mental health trauma. These indicators bring victims into contact with NPs, thereby providing the potential for identification and intervention.
NPs are critical in connecting victims of HST with services that are needed to initiate recovery from their circumstances and trauma. Care of HST victims requires a commitment between NPs, law enforcement, and community agencies to work collaboratively. This collaborative effort must revolve around the establishment of guidelines for patient identification, protocols for treatment and referral, and the development of consistent training calling for a multidisciplinary approach to addressing HST. NPs are in an optimal position to provide both frontline and key leadership when addressing HST among this vulnerable population and within the community. NPs are uniquely qualified and positioned to support ongoing initiatives to expand research and evidence-based strategies to combat this worldwide problem.
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