Healthcare Experiences of Labor Trafficking Survivors in the USA

Background:

Human trafficking has received growing attention over the past ten years, but few data exist regarding the health needs and experiences of those who are trafficked for labor rather than sex work.

Study Objectives: To describe the healthcare experiences of labor trafficking survivors and identify the types of medical providers seen; to understand exposure to physical and sexual violence among labor trafficking survivors.

Methods:

We anonymously surveyed survivors across the nation regarding their experiences with healthcare while they were trafficked and their exposure to violence.  Survivors were eligible if they had ever been trafficked in the US. We recruited participants through anti-trafficking organizations and social media. Data were analyzed, via cross-tabulation for frequency, using SPSS v.20.

Results:

Of the 86 who experienced any form of labor trafficking in the United States, 64.8% were able to see at least one healthcare provider. Of these, 35.6 % saw an emergency medicine practitioner, 27.6% saw a primary care provider, and 20.7% saw a dentist.  62.9% of labor survivors experienced physical violence while being trafficked and 34.5% experienced unwanted sexual contact while being labor trafficked.

Conclusions:

Many US-based labor trafficking victims present to healthcare providers, including emergency care practitioners, primary care providers and dentists. Health professionals play an important role in identifying these patients, most of whom are exposed to violence. More research is needed to determine what are common presenting complaints and how health professionals can effectively screen for and treat these patients.