Abstract

The National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women's Health (NPWH) affirms the essential role of women's health nurse practitioners (WHNPs) and other advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) who provide women's and gender-related healthcare for adolescents and adults in identifying, assessing, and responding to the needs of trafficked individuals. Victims of trafficking include all ages and gender identities. However, adolescent and young adult females comprise the majority of trafficked persons in the United States and globally, most specifically as victims of sex trafficking.

A majority of victims of sex trafficking have had contact with a healthcare provider (HCP) while in captivity, yet most remained unidentified during these encounters. Missed opportunities for intervention occur because HCPs either are not aware of or do not respond to signs, when present, that a patient may be a victim of sex trafficking. NPWH asserts that WHNPs and other APRNs who provide women's and gender-related healthcare for adolescents and adults have a responsibility to know and attend to indicators that a patient may be a victim of sex trafficking and have access to resources for assessment and care.

A comprehensive, coordinated, multidisciplinary approach is needed to meet the complex needs of victims of sex trafficking and to help them address the challenges they face. All encounters must protect their safety, rights, dignity, and cultural values. A trauma-informed approach is critical in all aspects of care to prevent re-victimization, reduce adverse outcomes, and promote the health and wellbeing of individuals who are or have been victims of sex trafficking.

Author Details

As a national professional membership organization, NPWH is the nation's leading voice for courageous conversations about women's health. In our clinics and in our culture, women's health nurse practitioners champion state-of-the-science health care that holistically addresses the unique needs of women across their lifetimes. We elevate the health issues others overlook and compel attention on women's health from providers, policymakers, and researchers.

Sigma Membership

Non-member

Lead Author Affiliation

National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women's Health, Washington, DC, USA

Type

Position Statement

Format Type

Text-based Document

Study Design/Type

Expert Opinion (nationally/internationally recognized)

Research Approach

N/A

Keywords:

Human Trafficking, Sex Trafficking, Nurse Practitioners

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License.

Publisher

The National Association of Nurse Practioners in Women's Health

Version

Publisher's Version

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Review Type

None: Reputation-based Submission

Acquisition

Self-submission

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