REPORTING HUMAN TRAFFICKING
Each state has its own laws and reporting protocols pertaining to human trafficking. Healthcare professionals must be familiar with, understand, and comply with the relevant laws in their state.
Reporting Trafficking in Minors and Vulnerable Adults
Trafficking in minors (under the age of 18), including child sex or labor trafficking, is a form of child abuse and maltreatment. Suspicion of such crimes must be reported according to pertinent state laws. The same is true with suspicion of trafficking among vulnerable adults, such as those who are unable to provide for their own care or protection due to disability or aging. In cases where a minor or vulnerable adult may be in imminent danger, the healthcare professional must call the police.
Reporting Trafficking in Competent Adults
Depending on the jurisdiction, there may be no specific reporting statutes for domestic violence or sexual assault that might be applied to competent adult victims of human trafficking due to the assumption that competent adults have the right to privacy and agency. In some jurisdictions, licensed professionals may not report domestic violence or sexual assault without the victim’s consent, and to do so without their specific consent could lead to civil action against the reporter.
However, healthcare professionals may counsel competent adult human trafficking victims and refer them to law enforcement and pertinent services. They may also make a confidential report to the National Human Trafficking Resource Center by calling the National Human Trafficking Hotline (see below).
Professional Mandated Reporters
Most states mandate that certain professionals report all suspected child or vulnerable adult abuse. Examples of mandated reporters include:
- Physician, osteopathic physician, medical examiner, chiropractic physician, nurse, or hospital personnel engaged in the admission, examination, care, or treatment of persons
- Health or mental health professional other than ones listed above
- Practitioner who relies solely on spiritual means for healing
- School teacher or other school official or personnel
- Social worker, day care center worker, or other professional child care, foster care, residential, or institutional worker
- Law enforcement officer
- Judge
In some states, mandated reporters who knowingly and willfully fail to report child or vulnerable adult abuse or neglect may be charged with a crime and may be sentenced to a prison term and/or fined.
Generally, the identity of a mandated reporter is kept strictly confidential from the reported, and there is civil and criminal immunity for any person who makes a report in good faith.
Reporting to the National Human Trafficking Hotline
- Hotline number: 888-373-7888
This organization is not an investigative agency or affiliated with law enforcement. When a report is made to the National Human Trafficking Hotline, consent and safety are the most important elements that are considered. When a call is received, the following actions will occur:
- A skilled advocate will assess the circumstances for potential labor or sex trafficking of a person of any age, nationality, race, or gender. Whenever possible, the hotline personnel will speak directly with victims in order to discuss reporting and referral options and receive consent to act on that person’s behalf.
- If the victim is a child, the hotline advocate will immediately inform the appropriate authorities.
- When the hotline advocate determines that the call concerns a potential case of human trafficking, a supervisor is immediately alerted to begin coordinating a response. Action steps frequently include:
- A follow-up call to the caller (with their consent) for additional information
- A report to the designated law enforcement agency
- Coordination with service providers for emergency assistance or transfer to a service provider
Tips of suspected human trafficking may also be provided anonymously (NHTH, 2023c).
(See also “Resources” at the end of this course.)