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We were unable to process your request. Please try again later. If you continue to have this issue please contact customerservice@slackinc.com. Back to Healio 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 \u2014 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\u2019s centers, urgent care or EDs, yet \u201cno one asks the critical questions.\u201d \u201cPay attention and look deeper,\u201d 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 \u2014 although force \u201cused to be 4% of all trafficking cases, now the data is telling us it\u2019s 0.02%.\u201d One of the most frequent ways victims are affected \u201cthat people don\u2019t see as sexual exploitation or sex trafficking is pornography,\u201d Norris said. \u201cWe are seeing more peer-to-peer sexual assault than ever before because of pornography \u2014 25% of all people who are addicted to pornography are females. Our culture is a pornified culture.\u201d She explained that traffickers \u2014 who can also be parents or caregivers \u2014 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 \u201cmay or may not act like they\u2019re totally with you, and then any given thing, like a man walking in the room, could cause them to suddenly act differently,\u201d she said. \u201cThey 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.\u201d If a clinician suspects a victim of sex trafficking, Norris said \u201cyou need to find a way to get that individual separated.\u201d \u201cYou have words that half the population do not understand, and you have HIPAA on your side,\u201d she said. For example, clinicians could tell a potential sex trafficker, \u201c\u2018We need to take an X-ray of her arm, and we\u2019ve got to go back to the other part of the hospital. Because of HIPAA regulations and other patients there, I can\u2019t take you,\u2019\u201d Norris said. She added that it is crucial to interact with victims in \u201cways that you can speak with them where they feel safe and empowered.\u201d \u201cYou need to make sure that they have freedom to make a choice anywhere that you can,\u201d she said. \u201cYou may not have a lot to offer them, but ask, \u2018Can I get you some water? Would you like a blanket?\u2019 Anything that you can offer them where they feel like have an ounce of control is hugely important.\u201d Norris advised following typical procedures used in the events of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) incidences. \u201cMake sure you\u2019re dealing with what they\u2019re there for, and follow the processes for confidentiality, but use your resources,\u201d she said. \u201cIf you\u2019re a mandatory reporter, use your social workers. There are a lot of different organizations and people that can help you along the way.\u201d 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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