November 03, 2026
3 min read
Key takeaways:
- Trafficking victims may present with unexplained injuries, STIs, depression, PTSD and pelvic pain.
- Clinicians should recognize warning signs, such as sudden change in demeanor when a companion enters the room.
LAS VEGAS — Healthcare visits may be one of the few opportunities to identify a sex trafficking victim, so it is important for clinicians to be aware of the warning signs, a speaker at OMED said.
In 2025, 21,457 individuals in the United States were victims of sex trafficking, according to the National Human Trafficking Hotline.
Sex trafficking victims may present with mental illnesses, multiple STDs, head and body injuries and dehydration. Image: Adobe Stock
Susan Norris, MSEd, founder and executive director of Rescuing Hope, said data indicate over 80% of sex trafficking victims are seen in women’s centers, urgent care or EDs, yet “no one asks the critical questions.”
“Pay attention and look deeper,” she said.
According to Norris, sex trafficking is defined as a commercial sex act induced by force, coercion or fraud among adults aged 18 years or older, and any commercial sex act among youth aged under 18 years.
She noted that coercion or fraud are the likeliest ways of inducing sex trafficking — although force “used to be 4% of all trafficking cases, now the data is telling us it’s 0.02%.”
One of the most frequent ways victims are affected “that people don’t see as sexual exploitation or sex trafficking is pornography,” Norris said. “We are seeing more peer-to-peer sexual assault than ever before because of pornography — 25% of all people who are addicted to pornography are females. Our culture is a pornified culture.”
She explained that traffickers — who can also be parents or caregivers — will trauma-bond with victims by exploiting their vulnerabilities, such as prior sexual abuse and unmet emotional or financial needs.
Clinical presentations that may be indicative of sex trafficking include:
- respiratory issues;
- pregnancy;
- injuries to the head or body;
- multiple STDs;
- malnourishment;
- dehydration;
- abortion;
- mental illnesses like depression, psychosis, dissociative disorder, anxiety, panic attacks or PTSD;
- chest or pelvic pain; and
- urinary tract infections.
Norris also highlighted behavioral signs. For example, the patient “may or may not act like they’re totally with you, and then any given thing, like a man walking in the room, could cause them to suddenly act differently,” she said. “They may not be able to look you in the eye: a trafficker will not allow their victims to look someone in the eye except for when that person is paid for that time with you.”
If a clinician suspects a victim of sex trafficking, Norris said “you need to find a way to get that individual separated.”
“You have words that half the population do not understand, and you have HIPAA on your side,” she said.
For example, clinicians could tell a potential sex trafficker, “‘We need to take an X-ray of her arm, and we’ve got to go back to the other part of the hospital. Because of HIPAA regulations and other patients there, I can’t take you,’” Norris said.
She added that it is crucial to interact with victims in “ways that you can speak with them where they feel safe and empowered.”
“You need to make sure that they have freedom to make a choice anywhere that you can,” she said. “You may not have a lot to offer them, but ask, ‘Can I get you some water? Would you like a blanket?’ Anything that you can offer them where they feel like have an ounce of control is hugely important.”
Norris advised following typical procedures used in the events of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) incidences.
“Make sure you’re dealing with what they’re there for, and follow the processes for confidentiality, but use your resources,” she said. “If you’re a mandatory reporter, use your social workers. There are a lot of different organizations and people that can help you along the way.”
Sources/Disclosures
Source:
Norris S. Human trafficking: Risk factors, recognition, and medical management. Presented at OMED; Oct. 22-25, 2026; Las Vegas.
Reference:
Disclosures:
Norris reports no relevant financial disclosures.
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