Recognizing human trafficking a step toward ending it

By Tim Charles / Health Care Column

Human trafficking is a rapidly growing concern. The International Labor Organization estimates more than 500,000 people are trafficked in the country with all 50 states reporting.

The National Human Trafficking Hotline’s Iowa State Report says it received 284 communications and identified 83 victims last year. Compared to the 143 communications and 24 cases from 2014, the growth in Iowa alone is sobering. Experts fear these numbers represent very few of the actual victims of this underground crime, which prompts the question: As community members, what can we do to recognize and respond to human trafficking in our area?

Teresa Davidson is a nurse practitioner on Mercy’s neonatal intensive care unit. She’s also the founder of Cedar Rapids nonprofit Chains Interrupted, which advocates for victims of human trafficking and awareness of the issue. Among the many things I’ve learned from Teresa is that, through force, fraud or coercion, victims of human trafficking are made to serve in some way, either through labor or sex trades. The trafficker, in turn, receives compensation. Victims are often homeless, runaways or otherwise vulnerable. In most cases, they are removed from support systems and are held through fear tactics and/or brainwashing.

Many victims and traffickers go about daily lives as part of the community. They visit stores and banks, seek medical care and interact with society. The first step we can take as engaged community members is to be alert. Concerning signs include a person who appears to be under the control of someone else, doesn’t have his or her own money or identification, looks haggard or dresses promiscuously, and is especially fearful, timid or anxious. While these examples don’t always constitute trafficking, they can be observances of note in suspicious circumstances.

When general signs of trafficking are combined with more health-related signs, like untreated illnesses or recurring sexually transmitted diseases, health care providers have a unique opportunity to recognize the offense and offer care and connection to supportive services for its victims. A 2014 study published in the Annals of Health Law found nearly 88 percent of surveyed human trafficking survivors had contact with a health care provider during their ordeal, but very few of those providers seemed to recognize the situation.

This past May, Mercy Medical Center established an anti-human trafficking position in response — the first hospital-based position of this type in Iowa — which strongly aligns with our mission of enhancing the health of our communities, guided by the spirit of the Sisters of Mercy. Teresa Davidson stepped into this role and is spearheading trainings to help medical professionals across our state recognize signs of trafficked patients and, equally important, the response when trafficking is suspected or confirmed.

At Mercy, this recognition and response is a comprehensive process. Staff will be trained on the specific signs that someone may be trafficked, and a team will be created within the hospital to respond to the situation. While the ultimate goal is to safely remove the victims from their exploitation, Mercy’s first priority will be to meet their medical needs and maintain our hospital as a safe place for them to return in the future.

By educating our medical professionals, instances of human trafficking will be more easily identified. When identified, help can be offered, giving the victim the opportunity to transition to a survivor. Businesses can play a role in helping victims, too, by training staff to recognize unique signs of trafficking applicable to specific industries. Teresa is glad to visit with area businesses and welcomes calls to (319) 369-4415.

As should be done any time a crime is suspected, call local police as appropriate with human trafficking concerns. The Iowa Hotline is available at (800) 770-1650 or the National Human Trafficking Hotline is available at (888) 373-7888. If entire communities are alert, we’ll make great strides in putting an end to this problem.

Tim Charles is president and CEO of Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids.