Human Trafficking & Reproductive Coercion-Human Trafficking & Reproductive Coercion

Video Transcription

Video Summary

Katrina Brown, a forensic nurse examiner team lead at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, explains why health care settings are critical for identifying and supporting human trafficking survivors. Although up to 88% of trafficking victims access health care during exploitation, many clinicians feel unprepared to recognize signs or respond appropriately. She reviews global statistics (about 24.9 million victims; many sexually trafficked) and defines trafficking as exploitation involving force, fraud, or coercion (except minors in sex trafficking). Brown outlines common trafficking venues, methods of control (including substance dependence, abuse, intimidation, emotional manipulation), recruitment tactics, and key vulnerabilities such as homelessness, migration, unstable housing, substance use, and mental health concerns. She introduces the SAVE approach: Screen, Ask nonjudgmental questions privately, Validate disclosures, and Evaluate/Educate/Refer while emphasizing that disclosure is not the goal—patient safety and resources are. Red flags, reporting considerations (especially for minors), and reproductive coercion are discussed, along with hotline resources and the need to assess all patients for violence.

Keywords

human trafficking identification

forensic nursing

healthcare screening SAVE approach

trafficking red flags and vulnerabilities

patient safety referral resources