From: Dispelling Myths About Human Trafficking for Health Care Providers. American Hospital Association https://www.aha.org/news/insights-and-analysis/2018-01-05-dispelling-myths-about-human-trafficking-health-care
“I want to use my experience to help professionals understand my mindset as a 14-year-old victim of sex trafficking, and why I was not forthcoming especially by the time I got in front of health care professionals…Despite how dark this topic is, there is hope,” Gibbs said.

Gibbs provided 10 myths about human trafficking.
Myth 1: Human trafficking only happens overseas
The National Human Trafficking Resource Center reports human trafficking in all 50 states. Human trafficking is defined by the inducement, recruitment, harboring, transport, provision, or obtainment of another person by force, fraud or coercion for commercial sex or labor services.
Myth 2: Only foreign nationals are trafficked in the United States
More than 7,500 cases of human trafficking were reported in 2016, and of those, at least 2,075 involved lawful, permanent residents of the United States, Gibbs said. Because victims of human trafficking are often part of populations that are highly stigmatized and ostracized from society, it’s important to get the perspective of actual survivors when training your staff, Gibbs said. This is beneficial because they “can share not just their experiences but their expertise on what would have helped them as a victim in a facility similar to yours,” she said.
To request a speaker in your area, contact the National Survivor Network..
Myth 3: Human trafficking and human smuggling are the same crime
“Think of human trafficking as a violation of someone’s human rights, and think of human smuggling as a violation of a country’s immigration laws,” Gibbs said.
With this in mind, it’s important to be aware of the populations in your community that could be vulnerable to human trafficking, said Brown.
“In Merced, we’re an agricultural community, so we have lots of migrant workers,” Brown said. “Of course, when you have vulnerable populations, you have people who exploit them.”
Brown shared an example of his staff discovering a patient was being trafficked for labor.
“We just asked a couple of basic questions: ‘Where are you from? Where are you going next?’ And [the patient] just simply didn’t have any answers,” Brown said. “That activated some red flags.”
Myth 4: Sex trafficking could never occur in a legal setting (like a strip club)
It happens “regardless of the situation,” Gibbs said. “There have been cases of human trafficking recorded in strip clubs, escort services and in pornography.”
Myth 5: Everyone engaging in prostitution is doing so by choice
“The reality is, many turn to the sex trade [due to] lack of options,” Gibbs said, emphasizing the importance of supporting community resources that serve vulnerable populations. “Populations who are homeless, [who face] addiction, even a single mother seeking financial help — anything we can do to connect vulnerable persons with resources bolsters our defense against human trafficking,” she said.
Myth 6: Victims of human trafficking will reach out for help
Victims may blame themselves and not want to come forward. They may also view commercial sex work as a survival method, or they may not speak English or know their rights.
Myth No 7: Only women and girls are victims
All genders are targeted, Gibbs said. Traffickers often target young people living on streets, and a large portion of this population is LGBTQ. Brown shared a story of a male victim at Dignity.
“We discovered that his family had kicked him out because after he moved away or ran away he became sexually exploited and trafficked,” Brown said. “His family didn’t want to talk about it, so he didn’t know what else to do but turn to the ER.”
Myth 8: Child sex trafficking could never occur in my community
“I doubt you would have any trouble finding at least one sex trafficking case reported in your city or county,” Gibbs said.
Myth 9: All traffickers are stereotypical pimps
Perpetrators can sometimes be part of the victims’ own families, or they can be young and approachable.
Myth No. 10: Human trafficking refers only to sex trafficking
Human trafficking is an umbrella term referring to both sex and labor trafficking.
Gibbs urged listeners to follow Dignity Health’s lead in implementing procedures to educate staff about human trafficking and to acquaint themselves with related community resources.
Health care leaders can access Dignity Health’s free, 50-page educational program here.
To view a replay of the webinar and other Hospitals Against Violence resources, visit http://www.aha.org/advocacy-issues/violence/index.shtml