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Running Head: Human Trafficking – Women

Human Trafficking- Women

Kellie Jean Stark
Professor Kathy S. Faw RN, MSN
Bon Secours Memorial College of Nursing
NUR 3113
April 5, 2017
Honor Code “I pledge…”
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Human Trafficking- Women

Human Trafficking- Women

Introduction

When the world imagines women trafficking, they assume it is a major problem that

exists in a third world country. While women trafficking is a global concern, the heinous crime

occurs in towns as small as Richmond, Virginia. The majority of these cases are related to sexual

exploitation (Seo-Young, 2013). Sadly, sex trafficking happens all around us. Trafficking occurs

on streets, Facebook, metros, hotels, and neighborhoods, but goes completely unnoticed. Victims

are not identified, even by healthcare providers. I chose this topic to shed light on this hidden

population. Women sex trafficking is an extreme form of abuse and violence against a vulnerable

population (Seo-Young, 2013)

Social Determinants of Health

The factors that contribute to poor health outcomes for woman involved in sex trafficking

are their limited access to health care, decreased safety, and exposure to crime, violence, social

disorder (Healthy People 2020, n.d.). Women are held against their will, tortured, and raped by

their trafficker and costumer. Physical and mental abuse are used to gain full domination over the

victim (Green, 2016). The women have no control over routine activities like, eating, sleeping,

and bathing (Clause & Byrns Lawler, 2013). Even with serious injuries and illnesses, brothel

owners force the women to have sex with multiple partners throughout a day. With the lack of

freedom and sense of self, their medical issues are never addressed. The victims often suffer

from HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), pelvic inflammatory disease, viral

hepatitis, respiratory illnesses, and dental infections, head injuries, fractures, lacerations,
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malnutrition, and gastrointestinal illnesses; and mental health disorders such as depression,

anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder, substance abuse, and suicidality (Stoklosa, Grace, &

Littenberg, 2015).

Health

Because this is a silent population, it is the duty of all nurses to assess and identify human

trafficking victims. Traffickers do not allow hospital visits, or any outing, unless a victim’s

health is too poor to work- a nurse may be the only source of contact outside of captivity for a

victim (Green, 2017). This is a rare interaction and opportunity for the nurse to be a victim’s

advocate. Nurses are the frontline of care giving and need to be knowledgeable when assessing a

potential trafficked patient. The nurse should be on the lookout for bruises, broken bones,

malnutrition, back problems, cardiac problems, respiratory issues, STDs, vaginal and anal

trauma, anxiety, detachment, lice, drug and alcohol abuse, incontinence, confusion, loss of

memory, tattoos of barcodes or initials, and untreated chronic conditions (Green, 2016). Nurses

should always be aware of the patient’s companion and the patient’s behavior around them.

Victims may be reluctant to give their name, cause of the accident, or any personal information.

If a woman is identified as a trafficking victim, the nurse should call for further aid from social

workers, forensic nurse examiner, and law enforcement (Clause & Byrns Lawler, 2013). Sadly,

the victims may resist any help.

Unfortunately, many women who seek medical attention may go unnoticed or may be

mistaken as drug addicts or domestic violence victims (Green, 2016). The role of a

compassionate and diligent nurse is crucial for the patient’s well-being. Nurses can be the first

step to stopping a cycle of abuse, preventing the spread of diseases, starting the healing process,
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and saving a victim’s life! Failure to identify or acknowledge a trafficking victim in a healthcare

system can lead to serious consequences or death for that woman (Green, 2016).

Evidence-based Intervention Addressing Health Needs

According to the Millennium Development’s goal to combat HIV/AIDS, there is a

tremendous need to strengthen programs for prevention, treatment, and support (Anderson &

McFarlane, 2015, p. 11). MDG’s also states that gender imbalances continue to contribute to the

increasing number of women becoming infected with HIV/AIDS (Anderson & McFarlane, 2015,

p. 11). Fighting against the sex slave industry is an approach to providing social justice to two

already vulnerable populations (e.g., women population, HIV/AIDS population) and combat

HIV/AIDS. It is evident that to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS in this population, women

trafficking should be eradicated. Stop the cycle before it starts! Condoms and sex education is

not enough to prevent dangerous sexual encounters. According to Green (2016), costumers who

do not like condoms can pay extra to avoid using them. The fear of being beaten or gang raped

forces the victim to comply to many sex partners without protection.

Interventions

The Richmond Justice Initiative (RJI) is a program that brings trafficking to the forefront

of public awareness through community action (Richmond Justice Initiative, 2015). They

address the most dangerous myth about human trafficking - human trafficking does not happen

in my community (RJI, 2015). It is clear that one of RJI’s mission is to globally stop the crisis

by abolishing sex slavery in Virginia. RJI implements a strong program that works to eradicate

sex slavery, and in turn stop the spread of HIV/AIDS. RJI created The Prevention Project that

provides education on the lures of human trafficking (e.g., money, shelter, relationships, internet)
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and how to spot a victim or trafficking ring (Prevention Project, 2015). They provide support

and resources to those who are identified. The Prevention Project is taught by victims, law

enforcement, educators, and advocates and their target audience is 8th-12th grade and early

college (Prevention Project, 2015). The project has created a tremendous impact on Virginia, and

now other states. According to Prevention Project (2015), 6,000 students have been reached

since 2014, three Virginia General Assembly legislators serve on the RJI Advising Board, 17

pieces of anti-human trafficking legislation have been passed in legislation in five years, 15,000

have been reached through community and church outreach, and they are now serving four

states.

Global Approach in Addressing “Health for All”

Sex trafficking is global problem; it generates 19 billion dollars per year, making it the

fastest growing profitable crime worldwide (Clause & Byrns Lawler, 2013). With business

booming, more victims are living in misery and in the shadows. Because they are so silent, most

victims do not receive the help they need. They do not access health care because they fear abuse

from traffickers, deportation, or cannot afford help. Two global organizations are tearing down

these health barriers and providing care to the vulnerable population. The United Nations

Voluntary Trust Fund for Victim of Human Trafficking supports humanitarian, legal, and

financial aid to victims of trafficking (Fedotov, n.d.). The money is to provide and relief to

victims in their most time of need. The International Justice Mission (IJM) approaches

trafficking by demanding stricter laws and harsher punishments for traffickers (International

Justice Mission, 2017). IJM examines international court systems and decides if the system is

broken and needs harsher laws. They also prepare victims for court to ensure the trafficker is not

set free or the victim is not deported.

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Conclusion

This vulnerable population is silent and becomes unnoticed by the rest of society. Yet, the

women human trafficking crisis is a billion-dollar global business. Trafficking happens in places

as large as Tokyo to places as small as Mechanicsville, Virginia. The factors (e.g., abuse, access)

that influence the women not to seek help, are the same factors that influence their health status.

Fortunately, there are global and local programs that eliminate health barriers and bring help to

the trafficking population. Especially for nurses, being knowledgeable about sex trafficking can

save lives, prevent abuse, and stop the spread of HIV/AIDS.

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References

Anderson, E. T., & McFarlane, J. M. (2015). Community as Partner: Theory and Practice in

Nursing (7th ed.). Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer Health.

Clause, K. J., & Byrnes Lawler, K. (2013). The Hidden Crime: Human

Trafficking. Pennsylvania Nurse, 68(2), 18-23.

Fedotov, B. Y. (n.d.). The Trust Fund for the Victims of Human Trafficking: Bringing victims

out of the shadows and into the light. Retrieved from

https://www.unodc.org/documents/human-trafficking/Human-Trafficking-

Fund/UNVTF_brochure2015.pdf

Green, C. (2016). Human trafficking: Preparing for a unique patient population. American Nurse

Today, 11(1), 9-12

Healthy People 2020. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.healthypeople.gov/

International Justice Mission . (2017). Retrieved from https://www.ijm.org/how-we-work

Prevention Project. (2015). Retrieved from http://www.prevention-project.org/home/

Richmond Justice Initiative. (2015). Retrieved from http://richmondjusticeinitiative.com/

Seo-Young, C. (2013). Integrating Equality: Globalization, Women's Rights, and Human

Trafficking. International Studies Quarterly, 57(4), 683-697. doi:10.1111/isqu.12056

Stoklosa, H., Grace, A. M., & Littenberg, N. (2015). Medical education on human

trafficking. AMA Journal Of Ethics, 17(10), 914-921.

doi:10.1001/journalofethics.2015.17.10.medu1-1510
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