Physician Encounters with Human Trafficking: Legal Consequences and Ethical Considerations

AMA Journal of Ethics, Volume 19, Number 1, p. 16-22, doi: 10.1001/journalofethics.2017.19.01.ecas2-1701, January 2017

Georgia State University College of Law, Legal Studies Research Paper No. 2017-06

8 Pages Posted: 19 Jan 2017 Last revised: 20 Apr 2017

See all articles by Jonathan Todres

Jonathan Todres

Georgia State University College of Law

Date Written: January 11, 2017

Abstract

There is growing recognition and evidence that health care professionals regularly encounter — though they may not identify — victims of human trafficking in a variety of health care settings. Identifying and responding appropriately to trafficking victims or survivors requires not only training in trauma-informed care but also consideration of the legal and ethical issues that arise when serving this vulnerable population. This essay examines three areas of law that are relevant to this case scenario: criminal law, with a focus on conspiracy; service provider regulations, with a focus on mandatory reporting laws; and human rights law. In addition to imposing a legal mandate, the law can inform ethical considerations about how health care professionals should respond to human trafficking.

Note: The viewpoints expressed in the AMA Journal of Ethics are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the AMA.

Keywords: Human Trafficking, Health Care, Ethics, Sex Trafficking, Children, Conspiracy, Human Rights Law

JEL Classification: I10, K10, K14, Z18

Suggested Citation

Todres, Jonathan, Physician Encounters with Human Trafficking: Legal Consequences and Ethical Considerations (January 11, 2017). AMA Journal of Ethics, Volume 19, Number 1, p. 16-22, doi: 10.1001/journalofethics.2017.19.01.ecas2-1701, January 2017 , Georgia State University College of Law, Legal Studies Research Paper No. 2017-06, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2897938

Jonathan Todres (Contact Author)

Georgia State University College of Law ( email )

P.O. Box 4037
Atlanta, GA 30302-4037
United States

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