Missouri Nurse Winter 2022/2023

Background H ealth care providers pride and treating clients. However, one overlooked health care challenge is the reality of human trafficking (HT). HT has become recognized as a major global issue (Grubb & Bennett 2012; Weitzer, 2014). Often called modern day slavery, this US $30 billion-dollar worldwide endeavor has made its way into every social and economic realm of society and is increasingly becoming perpetrated by organized and sophisticated criminal enterprises (CdeBaca & Sigmon, 2014; Greer et al., 2020; Helton, 2016; Weitzer, 2014). In modern day slavery, victims become a renewable commodity who can be bought and sold exponentially and exploited to their fullest potential (Helton, 2016). Although definitions of HT vary, many countries including the USA, have adopted the Palmero Protocol’s definition (Barner et al., 2014; Chaffee & English, 2015; Grubb & Bennett, 2012; Helton, 2016). The Palermo Protocol, enacted by the United Nations in 2000 defines HT as “the recruitment or transportation of people through means such as threat, coercion, or deception, for the purposes of exploitation” (Doherty et al., 2016, p. 464). Although sex and labor make up the majority of HT, organ retrieval, trafficking for ransom, forced begging, illegal adoption, health care exploitation, and forced participation in armed conflicts are also regarded as HT (CdeBaca & Sigmon, 2013; Chaffee & English, 2015; Greenbaum & Bodrick, 2017; van Reisen et al., 2017). In organ trafficking or trafficking for ransom, men, women, and children may be abducted, tortured, sexually violated, sold or killed for the purpose of extortion). The purpose of this paper is to inform health care providers themselves in being experts when it comes to accurately assessing

Recruitment Phase The recruitment phase begins when the trafficker initially targets a victim who has a noticeable vulnerability such as emotional neediness, low self esteem, or economic need (Helton, 2016; Peterson, 2019). Acting on these vulnerabilities, the trafficker lures the victim into HT by false hopes and promises for steady work and solid income (Kehl, 2020). Recruitment of potential victims using social media and private messaging has made it easier for the trafficker to identify victims (Moore et. al., 2017; Peterson, 2019). Traffickers learn how a victim’s mind works and what they want in life (Carville, 2015). Broken young girls are often preyed upon because they need a ‘daddy figure’. It is here that the trafficker starts developing a relationship with a victim (Carville, 2015). Initially the trafficker, who may be a family member, discovers what their victim’s vulnerabilities are (Carville, 2015). This information may be obtained through casual conversations with the victim, parents, or friends. Whether or not traffickers are actual family members, they are very skilled at mixing with other adults, and are often accepted as trusted honorary family members.

about how victims are recruited, their characteristics, and how to identify victims who are being trafficked. Victim Recruitment As awareness of HT grows, there is better recognition of how HT victims are recruited and controlled (Chaffee and English, 2015). Grooming or the ‘Game’ as one trafficker puts it, is a preparatory process in which the trafficker gradually gains a person’s trust with the intent to exploit them (Carville, 2015; Peterson, 2019). The trafficker overcomes a victim’s resistance and then elicits their cooperation in the abuse (Moore et al., 2017; Peterson, 2019). A victim who is well groomed is less likely to disclose the abuse to others. At the same time, being well-groomed increases the likelihood victims will become physically and emotionally dependent on the trafficker. Traffickers work to build trust with their victims, while simultaneously discrediting the trustworthiness of friends and family. Although traffickers constantly adjust the tactics they use to traffic and exploit victims, there are generally three phases in the grooming process (Greer et al., 2014). These phases are recruitment, initiation, and indoctrination (Helton, 2016).

Winter 2022/2023 :: The Missouri Nurse | 9

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