A recent report from Northeastern University highlights significant shortcomings in the U.S. health care system’s response to child sex trafficking victims. The study, led by Professor Amy Farrell, director of criminology and criminal justice and WGSS affiliated faculty at Northeastern, underscores that while hundreds of cases are reported annually in Massachusetts alone, the actual numbers are likely higher due to underreporting.
The report emphasizes that health care providers often struggle to establish trust with young victims, who may be hesitant to seek medical assistance. This reluctance hinders effective identification and treatment. To address these challenges, the report recommends comprehensive training for health care professionals to recognize signs of exploitation and to understand the complex relationship between exploitation and health.
“They know health is important, but they really struggle to get health care because of stigma and shame and discrimination that they’ve experienced, particularly during exploitation when they were seeking health care from emergency rooms and clinics where they were treated with real derision by health care providers for what was perceived as either their voluntary engagement in substance use or their voluntary engagement in commercial sex even though they were minors and being exploited.” – Amy Farrell
Additionally, improving navigation within the health care system is deemed critical to ensure victims receive appropriate care.
This is the first comprehensive examination of the health needs of child sex trafficking victims, aiming to shift the focus from mere identification to providing sustained, trauma-informed care.
Read the full article here.
