Healthcare Subcommittee
Pillar 2: Policy and Protocol
P1 Education & Training | P2 Policy & Protocol | P3 Screening & Implementation | P4 Referral & Response
About the Policy and Protocol Pillar
The Policy and Procedure Pillar is critical to both the initiation and maintenance of an organization to continue the ongoing work of identifying and referring victims of human trafficking. In order for healthcare organizations to be effective in anti-trafficking efforts, especially in improving survivor outcomes, they must have a comprehensive, evidence-based policy surrounding the issue. Institutions must be prepared to increase the identification of survivors, respond appropriately, advocate, and provide optimal, coordinated care to those who are at risk or have been exploited.
​
Increasing provider/institutional capacity to recognize and respond appropriately in a trauma-informed way requires a policy that includes the following:
Empowering Providers for Trauma-Informed Care: Our Policy Approach
01
The provision of ongoing, accurate, and standardized education with trauma-informed care implementation to increase awareness and bridge knowledge gaps surrounding human trafficking.
02
The use of a validated screening tool specific to the population(s) served.
03
A response protocol that provides a clear guideline for staff to follow throughout the process is essential, especially in busy settings with time constraints and high staff turnover. The response should include identification, screening, treatment guidelines, response, and referral protocols upon discharge.
04
Collaboration between healthcare facilities and outpatient service providers will also assist survivors through the recovery process, improving long-term outcomes.
Organizing and adopting a clear, comprehensive care guideline, just as one would for any other diagnosis, will assist staff in delivering optimal care and contribute to a sustainable approach to ending violence and exploitation.
We encourage all organizations to adopt policy and procedures specific to your organization for educating all staff who care for patients. As part of the resources we have provided, we have included examples of existing human trafficking identification medical center policies and screening tools, which you may also use to start developing your own policies and procedures. The current resources include the following:
Adopting Comprehensive Care Guidelines
Policy and Protocol Resources
HEAL’s Protocol Toolkit | HEAL Trafficking:
Health, Education, Advocacy, Linkage
01
02
More....
03
CHOC's Standardized Care
