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Healthcare visits are often a rare window to identify sex trafficking victims — but most clinicians miss it. Over 80% of victims are seen in women's centers, urgent care, or EDs, yet critical questions go unasked. Recognizing warning signs like unexplained injuries, multiple STIs, and sudden behavioral changes can be life-changing for victims.
Healthcare settings may be one of the few places where sex trafficking victims can be identified and helped — but the opportunity is frequently missed. Speaking at OMED, Susan Norris, founder of Rescuing Hope, emphasized that over 80% of trafficking victims are seen in women's centers, urgent care clinics, or emergency departments, yet clinicians rarely ask the right questions. She urged providers to "pay attention and look deeper."
Traffickers — who can be parents, partners, or caregivers — exploit victims' vulnerabilities through trauma bonding, targeting those with histories of abuse or unmet emotional and financial needs. Clinicians should be alert to both physical and behavioral red flags, and can use HIPAA regulations strategically to separate a patient from a potential trafficker for a private conversation.
Key Takeaways:
Why it matters: With 21,457 U.S. sex trafficking victims reported in 2025, healthcare providers are uniquely positioned to intervene — but only if they know what to look for and how to act safely.
