Sex Trafficking and the Nursing Role in its Prevention and Intervention

Sex trafficking is a hidden, but common, crime with health implications. Nurses practice, teach and conduct research in communities and agencies where victims of sex trafficking are located and may seek health care or other help. However, nurses typically are unaware of the signs of neglect and abuse suffered by these victims and may confuse these signs with evidence of domestic violence or sexual assault. This presentation will review the signs and symptoms associated with the abuse of sex trafficking victims at various stages of entrapment: 1) recruitment, 2) transit, 3) detention and exploitation, and 4) rescue. A model of assessment, planning, intervention and evaluation of nursing care of sex trafficking victims has yet to be developed; however, the presenters will offer insights about identifying and treating these victims based on empirical evidence from the literature. These insights will reflect interview strategies that are appropriate and fruitful for use in each of four stages of entrapment. Resources for additional information and reporting suspected cases will be shared. For instance, the Polaris Project in Washington, D.C offers a toll-free hotline (1-888-3737-888) to the public for understanding the facts about sex trafficking or reporting suspected cases.