Practice Tip of the Week | Human Trafficking: What You Need to Know and How You Can Help

By Kimberly Rosbrook, RN and Laura Kincheloe, Ed.D., MSN, RN, NE-BC, with support from the TNA Nursing Practice Committee 

What is Human Trafficking? 

Human trafficking is a serious crime and human rights violation. It involves recruiting, transporting, or harboring people through force, fraud, or coercion for exploitation. This can include forced labor, sexual exploitation, domestic servitude, and organ trafficking. Victims are often lured with false promises of jobs or safety, only to be trapped in abusive situations where leaving is nearly impossible. 

Key Stats in Texas 

• 1,600 trafficking case filings in Texas (2021–Sept 2025) 

• Only 112 convictions during this period, highlighting prosecution challenges 

• Average case resolution time: 530–674 days 

• Texas ranks among the top states for trafficking cases due to its size and major transportation hubs 

Tips for Caring for Trafficking Survivors 

The best approach is trauma-informed care, which means: 

• Recognize signs of trauma (see SAMHSA Guidance) 
• Prioritize emotional safety, choice, and trust
• Use clear, consent-based communication
• Offer resources and hope

Experiences with Human Trafficking 

The following interview occurred with registered nurse Laura Malone (LM), who shared personal nursing experiences when caring for victims of human trafficking.  

Can you share an experience where you suspected or identified that a patient was being trafficked? 

LM: It was identified during our intake assessment. The patient mentioned a history of sex work and disclosed that it began with sex trafficking by a romantic partner when they were younger. The patient stated they had several untreated STIs, which prompted the nursing staff to ask more about their sexual health needs. 

How did you approach the patient in a way that balanced safety, compassion, and professional boundaries? 

We let the patient lead the assessment. If nursing staff was going to use their stethoscope on the patient’s chest, they informed the patient and held up the stethoscope and allowed the patient to lean into the stethoscope rather than putting it on the patient directly. This allowed the patient to move forward when they were ready. For abdominal exams,  nursing staff used clear, consent-based phrasing such as:  “Are you comfortable with me putting my stethoscope on your abdomen?” Nursing staff used hand gestures to show the patient in the nurses own body where the medical equipment would be placed. The nurse staffing then stated, “’ell me when you’re ready.”  The patient’s hair was extremely matted from being in a catatonic state in a sleeping bag for weeks, causing severe scalp pain. The nurse team arranged for a trauma-informed hairdresser to detangle and cut knots at the patient’s hair at the patient’s pace. It took 2–3 hours because the hairdresser worked entirely at the patient’s comfort level. 

What advice would you give other nurses to help them feel prepared and supported when caring for patients who may be survivors of trafficking? 

Survivors of sex trafficking often have somatic symptom disorders (like vulvodynia) and may need extra pain or anxiety medication for invasive exams. My colleague Carmen, a doctor specializing in trauma-informed care, always suggested patient-led exams. For example, during a PAP smear, the patient lowers onto the speculum at her own pace rather than the provider inserting it. 

All nurses have a requirement around human trafficking education according to the Texas Board of Nursing, but nurses shouldn’t wait to learn more. Healthcare is a human right, and it should be individualized to meet the needs of patients while ensuring a psychologically safe environment for care to be delivered.  

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