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
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: Suggested Citation