Essay Example on Human Trafficking: Definition, Palermo Protocol, & Exploitation

Introduction

The definition of human trafficking remains elusive to most people and reflects the complexity of the vice. The Palermo Protocol, an international anti-trafficking agreement brokered by the United Nations, provided the most widely agreed-upon definition of human trafficking. It defined human trafficking as the recruitment, transportation, harbouring or receipt of human beings through coercion, deception or abuse of power (financial or otherwise) to exploit them (Burke, 2017). Donahue, Schwien & LaVallee (2019) and Leslie (2018) note that survivor testimonies indicate that hospitalization is one of the few instances where victims come into direct contact with the general population with up to 80% of sex trafficking victims ending up in emergency rooms at some point. Due to this fact, it is vital for hospitals and hospital staff to have the right assessment and treatment tools and procedures to aid in the fight against trafficking and help victims heal effectively.

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Assessment of Human Trafficking Victims

The assessment of human trafficking victims involves screening and identification of potential victims as well as history taking and physical examination of identified victims (Donahue, Schwien & LaVallee, 2019). Researchers agree that the identification of human trafficking victims is challenging for medical professionals. Donahue, Schwien & LaVallee (2019), Leslie (2018) and Stevens et al. (2019) note that the majority of trafficked victims visit hospitals and leave without ever being identified or assessed as victims. Pascual-Leone, Kim & Morrison (2017), Leslie (2018), Dols et al. (2019) and Stevens et al. (2019) identified some of the critical challenges that limit the identification of victims. The difficulties identified include a lack of training or inadequate training for medical professionals on how to assess and identify victims, cultural barriers between healthcare workers and victims, linguistic barriers and trust barriers stemming from isolation, psychological manipulation by traffickers and dependence on the traffickers.

A substantial majority of researchers agree that instituting protocols and training frontline staff on assessment of trafficked victims is the best way to mitigate the difficulties (Donahue, Schwien & LaVallee, 2019; Pascual-Leone, Kim & Morrison, 2017; Leslie, 2018; Dols et al., 2019; Stevens et al., 2019; Murray & Smith, 2019). Dols et al. (2019) did a study in the emergency departments of counties bordering Mexico (an essential source of trafficking into Texas). They found that protocols alone did not improve the chances of identification of victims. The researchers concluded that a combination of evidence-based personnel training and protocols was necessary in addition to regular screening for victims.

Researchers also agree that clinical assessment (history taking and physical exam) should follow specific evidence-based protocols rather than the standard protocols (Hopper, 2017; Donahue, Schwien & LaVallee, 2019; Pascual-Leone, Kim & Morrison, 2017; Leslie, 2018; Dols et al., 2019; Stevens et al., 2019; Murray & Smith, 2019). Hopper (2017), Donahue, Schwien & LaVallee (2019), Pascual-Leone, Kim & Morrison (2017), Pascual-Leone, Kim & Morrison (2017) and Leslie (2018) all recommend focusing on mental and physical trauma during clinical assessments. Pascual-Leone, Kim & Morrison (2017) further recommends focusing on understanding the victim's life before the trafficking began. The clinical evaluation should follow evidence-based protocols. However, Leslie (2018) argues that presently, there are too many unique protocols within the country, making an assessment of efficacy difficult. He recommends the development of effective, standardized national protocols that will enable practical evaluation of other protocols.

Treatments for Human Trafficking Victims

Researchers recommend a number of different treatment approaches for human trafficking victims. However, most researchers agree that treatment should be evidence-based (Salami et al., 2018; Stevens et al., 2019; Pascual-Leone, Kim & Morrison, 2017; Dols et al., 2019; Donahue, Schwien & LaVallee, 2019; Hopper, 2017). Stevens et al. (2019) recommend combining the biopsychosocial model for assessment and treatment with the trauma-informed approach to care. The researchers conducted an exhaustive review of the literature on remedies for trafficking victims and mental health victims to reach their conclusion. Hoper (2017) introduces a trauma-based approach for both assessment and treatment of human trafficking victims noting that it provides effective care.

Pascual-Leone, Kim & Morrison (2017) used a case study to recommend the use of an emotion-based approach in assessing treating human trafficking victims. On the other hand, Murray & Smith (2019) recommend utilizing the ABCD ( assessment, buy-in, case management, and diversion) treatment module by arguing that it is evidence-based and provides safe and effective care. The diversion program transfers the victim to specialized care more suitable for trafficking victims. Salami et al. (2018) did a literature review and analysis of treatments and concluded that current evidence supports the use of cognitive therapies for the effective treatment of trafficking victims. The researchers also found a shortage of literature directly comparing the effectiveness of different trauma treatment approaches.

Conclusion

Researchers offer a variety of approaches to the assessment and management of human trafficking victims. A substantial majority recommend that all assessment and management approaches be based on concrete evidence of efficacy. However, both assessment and treatment approaches appear to lack an effective way of measuring effectiveness. The lack of adequate assessment techniques stems from the lack of standardized criteria that provide a basis for measurement. There is a need for further research on the approaches offered by researchers and the development of standardized frameworks for the development, utilization and assessment of the strategies.

References

Burke, M. C. (2017). Human trafficking: interdisciplinary perspectives. Routledge.

Dols, J. D., Beckmann-Mendez, D., McDow, J., Walker, K., & Moon, M. D. (2019). Human trafficking victim identification, assessment, and intervention strategies in South Texas emergency departments. Journal of emergency nursing, 45(6), 622-633. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jen.2019.07.002

Donahue, S., Schwien, M., & LaVallee, D. (2019). Educating emergency department staff on the identification and treatment of human trafficking victims. Journal of emergency nursing, 45(1), 16-23. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jen.2018.03.021

Hopper, E. K. (2017). Trauma-informed psychological assessment of human trafficking survivors. Women & Therapy, 40(1-2), 12-30. https://doi.org/10.1080/02703149.2016.1205905

Leslie, J. (2018). Human trafficking: Clinical assessment guideline. Journal of trauma nursing, 25(5), 282-289. doi: 10.1097/JTN.0000000000000389.

Murray, A., & Smith, L. (2019). Implementing Evidence-Based Care for Women Who Have Experienced Human Trafficking. Nursing for women's health, 23(2), 98-104.

Pascual-Leone, A., Kim, J., & Morrison, O. P. (2017). Working with victims of human trafficking. Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy, 47(1), 51-59. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10879-016-9338-3

Salami, T., Gordon, M., Coverdale, J., & Nguyen, P. T. (2018). What therapies are favored in the treatment of the psychological sequelae of trauma in human trafficking victims?. Journal of Psychiatric Practice, 24(2), 87-96. doi: 10.1097/PRA.0000000000000288

Stevens, S., Acker, S., Green, K., Swales, S., Fulmer, H. M., Fortinsky, R., & Nicholas, P. K. (2019). Understanding the mental health impact of human trafficking. Journal of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, 31(12), 699-704. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nwh.2019.02.001