Background
• Human Trafficking (HT) is a crime that involves exploiting a person for labor, services, or commercial sex.
• HT can happen in any industry, to persons of any gender, age, economic status, religion, and nationality.
• In FY 2018, service agencies in the State of Vermont submitted over 180 reports of HT.
• HT has a profound negative impact on survivors’ physical and mental health.
• 25-88% of HT victims interact with a healthcare professional while they are being exploited.
• Providers have cited a lack of confidence and knowledge on HT as a major barrier to proper care of potential victims, stemming from a lack of adequate training.
• There is a need to assess healthcare workers’ knowledge in recognizing and providing appropriate care and options to potential victims of HT.
Objectives
• Assess awareness of University of Vermont Medical Center (UVMMC) and affiliated primary care staff and providers regarding the recent implementation of a UVMMC policy on providing support to victims of HT.
• Understand current behaviors of staff and providers when providing care to a patient suspected of being a victim of HT.https://scholarworks.uvm.edu/comphp_gallery/1277/thumbnail.jp
