Human Trafficking

Human trafficking has gained attention as a major human rights concern, yet little is known about the awareness of human trafficking among Emergency Medical Services (EMS) professionals. This is a significant concern; EMS professionals may be uniquely equipped to intervene with victims of trafficking. To address this gap, this study assessed the familiarity with and attitudes about trafficking in EMS professionals. Open Resource to view Abstract.

Dr. Susie Baldwin recounts stories of trafficked people to illustrate the importance of teaching health professionals to recognize the invisible signs of human trafficking and provide trauma-informed care to patients suffering from this hidden crime. Open Resource to watch video.

EMS personnel – Emergency Medical Responders, Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs), Advanced Emergency Medical Technicians, Paramedics, and transporters who work with these medical professionals – can play an important role in reporting and stopping human trafficking. By understanding the dynamics of human trafficking, EMS personnel can help victims. The key to being able to report suspected trafficking is to understand what human trafficking is, what it might look like, and how to report it. Open Resource to access the training.

HEAL Trafficking created this three-part training series for the International Organization for Migration, Finland on responding to human trafficking.