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Common Health Issues Seen In Victims of Human Trafficking:
Trafficking victims may suffer from an array of physical and psychological health issues stemming from inhumane living conditions, poor sanitation, inadequate nutrition, poor personal hygiene, brutal physical and emotional attacks at the hands of their traffickers, dangerous workplace conditions, occupational hazards and general lack of quality health care.

Preventive health care is virtually non-existent for these individuals. Health issues are typically not treated in their early stages, but tend to fester until they become critical, even life-endangering situations.
In many cases, health care is administered at least initially by an unqualified individual hired by the trafficker with little if any regard for the well-being of their “patients” – and even less regard for disease, infection or contamination control.
Health issues seen in trafficking victims include the following:

Suggested Screening Questions

• Can you leave your job or situation if you want?
• Can you come and go as you please?
• Have you been threatened if you try to leave?
• Have you been physically harmed in any way?
• What are your working or living conditions like?
• Where do you sleep and eat?
• Do you sleep in a bed, on a cot or on the floor?
• Have you ever been deprived of food, water, sleep or medical care?
• Do you have to ask permission to eat, sleep or go to the bathroom?
• Are there locks on your doors and windows so you cannot get out?
• Has anyone threatened your family?
• Has your identification or documentation been taken from you?
• Is anyone forcing you to do anything that you do not want to do?

If you think you have come in contact with a victim of human trafficking, call the Trafficking Information and Referral Hotline at 1.888.3737.888. This hotline will help you determine if you have encountered victims of human trafficking, will identify local resources available in your community to help victims, and will help you coordinate with local social service organizations to help protect and serve victims so they can begin the process of restoring their lives. For more information on human trafficking visit:

• Sexually transmitted diseases, HIV/AIDS, pelvic pain, rectal trauma and urinary difficulties from working in the sex industry.
• Pregnancy, resulting from rape or prostitution.
• Infertility from chronic untreated sexually transmitted infections or botched or unsafe abortions.
• Infections or mutilations caused by unsanitary and dangerous medical procedures performed by the trafficker’s so-called “doctor.”
• Chronic back, hearing, cardiovascular or respiratory problems from endless days toiling in dangerous agriculture, sweatshop or construction conditions.
• Weak eyes and other eye problems from working in dimly lit sweatshops.
• Malnourishment and serious dental problems. These are especially acute with child trafficking victims who often suffer from retarded growth and poorly formed or rotted teeth.
• Infectious diseases like tuberculosis.
• Undetected or untreated diseases, such as diabetes or cancer.
• Bruises, scars and other signs of physical abuse and torture. Sex-industry victims are often beaten in areas that won’t damage their outward appearance, like their lower back.
• Substance abuse problems or addictions either from being coerced into drug use by their traffickers or by turning to substance abuse to help cope with or mentally escape their desperate situations.
• Psychological trauma from daily mental abuse and torture, including depression, stress-related disorders, disorientation, confusion, phobias and panic attacks.
• Feelings of helplessness, shame, humiliation, shock, denial or disbelief.
• Cultural shock from finding themselves in a strange country.

www.acf.hhs.gov/trafficking

Referral Hotline: 1.888.3737.888

HOPE PROJECT COALITION MEMBERS New Hope Counseling Center, Inc. Saving Lives Through Alternative Options SLAO Bering Omega Community Service WAM Foundation, Inc. Houston Maintenance Clinic Over the Hill, Inc. Associated Catholic Charities, Diocesan AIDS Ministry Reliable Comprehensive Care Services RCCS, Inc. The Alliance for Multicultural Community Services The Association for the Advancement of Mexican Americans (AAMA) NAACP BSP Associates The Office of Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee The HOPE Project is also supported by: Houston Department of Health & Human Services The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention & Concerned individuals such as yourself.	Houston Department of Health & Human Services View entire directory
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Services provided Individual Level Intervention: Group Level Intervention: PCPE: Outreach: Community Level Health Communication/Public Info: Domestic Violence: Human Trafficking Humanitarian initiatives	Directory of HIV Prevention Resources In the Houston Metropolitan Area View entire directory
Who better to identify health issues and concerns among various ethnic groups than leaders in their respective communities? They speak the same language, understand the culture and are trusted members of their neighborhoods. That is why the CRMH staff has created a Community Advisory Board (CAB) and a Houston- Area Leadership Network of organizations and individuals. These partners are a critical link between the CRMH and the community and are a vital part of the effort to eliminate health disparities among ethnic minorities and underserved populations.	MD Anderson Cancer Center Health Disparities Advisory Board. View entire directory
Domestic Violence : Acts in a proactive manner to avert future cases of child abuse & child neglect.	Criminal, Family& Consumer Law Resource in & around Houston, Texas. View PDF

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