Revised September 2025, February 2020
Originally approved April 2016
Human trafficking is a human rights violation and a public health crisis in the United States. It is an abusive form of interpersonal exploitation that affects persons of all ages. It has significant implications for the physical, sexual, psychological, and emotional health of those affected. Persons experiencing trafficking are treated for acute injuries and illnesses in emergency departments (EDs) more often than in any other health care facility and thus emergency physicians are in a good position to assess, intervene, and refer for assistance. However, identification and assessment of victims can be challenging, as human trafficking encompasses multiple forms of abuse including neglect, intimidation, physical, sexual, emotional, and financial abuse.
The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) recommends that:
- Emergency physicians develop the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) as defined by the American Board of Emergency Medicine’s KSAs & Standards to effectively and competently recognize and response to abuse and violence, including the potential signs, symptoms and indicators of both labor and sex trafficking in adult and pediatric patients.
- Emergency medical personnel maintain a high index of suspicion when evaluating patients of any age or gender who may be at risk for abuse, violence, or exploitation and assess for specific indicators of human trafficking.
- Emergency physicians evaluate patients with presentations that are concerning for human trafficking, exploitation, or any form of abuse or violence using an age-appropriate, culturally relevant sensitive, person-centered and trauma-informed approach that acknowledges the impact of trauma and minimized re-traumatization.
- Hospitals and EDs have institutional protocols in place to respond to the medical, psychological, safety, legal, and social needs of persons experiencing trafficking, including referrals to hospital-based resources and community-based service providers.
- Emergency physicians be aware of and knowledgeable about institutional protocols and local resources to guide a safe, multidisciplinary, and trauma-informed response to patients experiencing trafficking, including appropriate referrals and safe dispositions.
- Emergency physicians receive education and training on recognition, assessment, documentation, and care of ED patients experiencing trafficking, including appropriate referrals and safe dispositions.
- Emergency personnel who, in good faith, carry out their duties as mandated reporters should be protected from medico-legal repercussions.
- Emergency physicians respect the autonomy of adult patients with decision-making capacity to choose when and how to report, seek, and accept help.
ACEP supports:
- The implementation of effective community-based measures to prevent human trafficking.
- The development and maintenance of clinical policies and protocols by health care organizations on the recognition, assessment, and support of those experiencing trafficking. These policies can also provide guidance on legal requirements for mandated reporting for certain populations (eg, child maltreatment) and facilitate coordination with external partners such as government agencies and social services organizations.
- Ongoing epidemiological research to better understand the incidence and prevalence of human trafficking, as well as clinical research to identify best practices for the prevention, detection, assessment, and care of persons experiencing human trafficking.
