Recognizing and responding to Veterans at risk for experiencing human trafficking

Anti-Human Trafficking

Defining human trafficking

Human trafficking is an umbrella term. Human trafficking means to control someone forcing them to work against their will. Control can be through physical force, threats, debts, or false promises. Traffickers often target individuals based on their vulnerabilities and offer what is desperately sought, such as employment, housing, love, or social support. Traffickers can be business owners, family members, spouses, intimate partners, or strangers.

There are two forms of human trafficking:

Sex Trafficking is defined as “the recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, obtaining, patronizing or soliciting of a person for sex work, in which the sex act is induced by force, fraud, or coercion."

• People who experience sex trafficking almost always know and trust their traffickers.

Labor Trafficking is defined as “the recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of a person for labor or services using force, fraud, or coercion for subjection to involuntary servitude, peonage, debt bondage, or slavery.”

• Labor traffickers might initially offer a simple job that later becomes abusive.

Main components of human trafficking

Human trafficking has three main components:

1. Actions by which a person is acquired, e.g., recruitment.
2. Means of exploitation, e.g., coercion, force, or fraud.
3. Purpose of exploitation, e.g., forced labor or sex work.

For a situation to be considered human trafficking, force, fraud, or coercion must be involved and must compel the person to remain in that situation.

Social drivers of experiencing trafficking

Veterans may be at risk of trafficking because of the following social drivers:

• Substance use
• Adverse childhood events (ACEs)
• Homelessness
• Low socioeconomic status
• Justice involvement
• Food insecurity
• Physical or sexual abuse history

Veterans can also be at risk if they identify as a(n):  

• Cisgender woman
• Racial or ethnic minority
• Transgender or gender diverse individual
• Sexual minority (lesbian, gay, bisexual, or queer)
• Individual with disabilities

Recognizing Veterans experiencing human trafficking

Veterans who experience trafficking may not recognize that they are being trafficked or know what to call their experience. However, there are common features associated with human trafficking.

Veterans may be experiencing labor trafficking if they:

• Face threats against them or their families if they try to leave a job.
• Lack control of their identification or travel documents.
• Live in isolation and are prevented from interacting with their friends or family.
• Work and live in inhumane conditions provided by the employer.
• Work long hours without pay or receiving agreed compensation.
• Appear excessively scared or anxious.

Veterans may be experiencing sex trafficking if they:

• Disclose they want to stop sex work but fear potential harm.
• Indicate that someone pressured them into sex work.
• Work in industries or locations where they are likely to be coerced into sexual activities (e.g., hotels, residential brothels, escort services, and strip clubs).

Common health issues seen in persons who experience trafficking:

Veterans who have experienced trafficking may have adverse health issues due to their experiences. These can be varied and extensive, including:

• Physical health: injuries, chronic pain, STIs, and malnutrition.
• Psychological health outcomes: severe psychological symptoms and substance use.
• Social drivers: loneliness, poor living conditions, and exposure to health hazards.

What to do if you suspect a Veteran is experiencing  being trafficked?

If you suspect a Veteran may be trafficked, you should:

• Try to talk to the Veteran alone, while recognizing it may increase their risk to future harm if you insist a suspected trafficker leaves the room.
• Strive to increase Veteran’s confidentiality and privacy. Remember that traffickers may use healthcare coercion to obtain the Veteran’s medical record.
• Use trauma-informed language, and approaches. This means, asking permission to talk about their experiences, and asking permission to document. It means being open about the limits of confidentiality and your duty to report, if it applies.
• Refer the Veteran to supportive services, including VA social work.
• Meet Veterans where they are (some Veterans may not understand they are being trafficked or identify themselves as a person being trafficked).
• Consider screening for human trafficking. Consult with your VA social worker.
• Consult with your VA supervisor to clarify mandated reporting requirements.

What NOT to do if you suspect a Veteran is experiencing trafficking

• PANIC: While it may be challenging to work with people who are being trafficked,most situations will not require that you call law enforcement.
• Use language like, “are you being trafficked?” or “I think you might be trafficked”. This may be alienating to the Veteran.
• Try to tell the Veteran what to do. The most important task is to build safety and trust. This may take time.

Resources

VA Resources

VA offers help and support to Veterans experiencing human trafficking. The following VA resources are available to assist Veterans experiencing trafficking:
-  Care Management and Social Work Services: Care Management and Social Work (va.gov) 
-  VA Homeless Programs: https://www.va.gov/homeless/
-  Ask to speak with a VA social worker. Care Management and Social Work Services: https://www.socialwork.va.gov/Social_Work_Leaders.asp
-  SharePoint: Anti-Human Trafficking Prevention and Education (internal to VA)

Community Resources

-  National Human Trafficking Hotline (NHTH): 1-888-373-7888
-  Text HELP or INFO to 233733  
-  The NHTH is a toll-free hotline available 24/7 that connects victims and survivors with service providers and offers resources and assistance.
-  Live Chat: https://humantraffickinghotline.org/en/chat*
-  Trafficking in  Persons & Worker Exploitation Task Force Hotline: 1-888-428-7581
-  National Runaway Safeline: 1-800-RUNAWAY (1-800-786-2929)
-  Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN): 1-800-656-HOPE (1-800-656-4673)
-  Department of Labor Wage and Hour Helpline: 1-866-487-9243

Web Resources 

To learn more about human trafficking, explore the links listed below*: 

• https://humantraffickinghotline.org/*
• https://humantraffickinghotline.org/en/find-local-services*
• https://www.state.gov/humantrafficking-about-human-trafficking/*
• https://www.futureswithoutviolence.org/human-trafficking-a-hidden-problem/*

Need Help?

There is a Social Work leader in every VA health care system to help you get the care you need. The Social Work leader will connect you to the VA employee who can assist., contact your local VA health care system social work leader.

 Disclaimer: *Links will take you outside of the Department of Veterans Affairs website. VA does not endorse and is not responsible for the content of the linked websites.

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