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Anti-Human Trafficking Program

Human trafficking is a horrendous human rights violation with serious medical and mental health consequences. Human trafficking is defined as the “recruitment, transfer, harbouring or receipt of persons, by means of the threat or use of force or other forms of coercion, of abduction, of fraud, of deception, of the abuse of power or of a position of vulnerability … for the purposes of exploitation” (, 2000).

It has been estimated that over 40 million people are victims of human trafficking worldwide (ILO, 2017). A 2016 study conducted by the Institute on Domestic and Sexual Violence at The University of Texas at Austin estimated 313,000 reported and minor cases in Texas alone (Busch Armendariz, 2016).

Texas ranked second only to California in the nation in the number of reported human trafficking cases per state and Houston had the highest reported number of trafficking cases for cities (Busch-Armendariz, 2016).

Given Houston's status as a major hub of human trafficking, Houston-area hospital providers are likely to encounter victims of sex trafficking and labor trafficking in the course of primary, specialty or emergency care of patients of all ages.

providers at Houston-area hospitals and clinics are in a unique position to identify human trafficking victims who arrive in need of medical care. Houston's Ben Taub Hospital is part of the Harris Health System, which functions as a safety net for low-income and uninsured Harris County residents, including those in need of acute medical, surgical and psychiatric care, inpatient stabilization, and outpatient continuity clinics.

Located in world's largest medical center, Ben Taub Hospital is recognized as one of the busiest trauma centers in the United States, offering 586 licensed inpatient beds in addition to the area's only 24/7 psychiatric emergency room. The Ben Taub Emergency Center and inpatient units, and Harris Health System integrated care clinics provide healthcare for thousands of patients annually. We know that human trafficking victims are often pushed into vulnerable circumstances by socioeconomic marginalization and poor access to services and care (Kerr, 2016). Thus, patients served through the Harris Health System may experience circumstances that could increase their risk of being trafficked compared to other populations in the Houston area.

 

This “Eyes on Trafficking” story is reprinted from its original location.

ABOUT

PBJ Learning is a leading provider of online human trafficking training, focusing on and prevention education. Their interactive Human Trafficking Essentials is used worldwide to educate professionals and individuals how to recognize human trafficking and how to respond to potential victims. Learn on any web browser (even your mobile phone) at any time.

More stories like this can be found in your PBJ Learning Knowledge Vault.

 

EYES ON TRAFFICKING

This “Eyes on Trafficking” story is reprinted from its original online location.

ABOUT PBJ LEARNING

PBJ Learning is a leading provider of online human trafficking training, focusing on awareness and prevention education. Their interactive Human Trafficking Essentials online course is used worldwide to educate professionals and individuals how to recognize human trafficking and how to respond to potential victims. Learn on any web browser (even your mobile phone) at any time.

More stories like this can be found in your PBJ Learning Knowledge Vault.