RECOGNITION AND RESPONDING TO HUMAN TRAFFICKING VICTIMS: PERSON-CENTRED TRAUMA-INFORMED APPROACH leannevanrooy@gmail.com

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RECOGNITION AND RESPONDING TO HUMAN TRAFFICKING VICTIMS: PERSON-CENTRED TRAUMA-INFORMED APPROACH

3

South Africa

Oral or Poster

Approximately 80% of human trafficking victims visit hospitals for healthcare needs, positioning healthcare professionals at the possible first link to safety. Fear of and control by traffickers prevent victims from seeking help, and traffickers frequently accompany victims, speaking on their behalf. Distrust, anxiety, the revenge of the trafficker, lack of privacy, and judgment from healthcare professionals hamper disclosure. Limited awareness of healthcare professionals leads to missed opportunities to address specific needs and make definitive referrals.

The co-design approach was used to explore survivors' and key stakeholders' experiences to facilitate the co-construction of a care pathway for health care professionals. Data collection involved semi-structured interviews and collaborative events, which were analyzed thematically.

Most survivors did not perceive the hospital as a safe environment, conducive to building trust, and expressed feelings of fear and control, primarily due to the presence of traffickers. Findings are limited to the knowledge and understanding of human trafficking among healthcare professionals. Healthcare professionals lack competency in utilizing trauma-informed care in the treatment of survivors. Self-care practices for healthcare professionals should form part of trauma-informed care, acknowledge the impact of trauma, recognize the signs and symptoms of trauma, and integrate knowledge into policies and procedures.

Increasing awareness, private questioning, coded markers, and multidisciplinary flagging can improve victim safety and disclosure when used within a person-centered, trauma-informed approach. Standardized care pathways for healthcare professionals to recognize and respond to victims, along with continuous awareness and intersectoral collaboration, are vital.