Advocacy
The HEAL Advocacy Initiative advances the health care response to trafficking by working to improve public policies and support anti-trafficking efforts at the local, regional, national, and international levels. The leader of the Advocacy Initiative is Abigail English, JD.
HEAL Trafficking strives to remain a place in the anti-trafficking field where people with differing positions can come together and create positive change. As an organization grounded in health concepts and methods, we currently do not take a stand for or against decriminalization of commercial sex work as we continue to review evidence around prevention and harm reduction strategies.
HEAL's Advocacy Activities
Letter of Support for AB 3127 (McKinnor) – Centering Survivor Safety and Health
Read this letter of support for Assembly Bill 3127 (McKinnor) from HEAL Trafficking. This crucial legislation seeks to overhaul California’s medical mandated reporting law concerning adult violent injuries, aiming to enhance safety and healthcare accessibility for survivors of domestic, sexual,
Submission of HEAL Trafficking's written testimony - H.R. 7224
The following testimony comes from a combination of my experiences on the frontlines of health care, the emergency department, as well as my national vantage point as Chief Medical Officer andnco-founder of HEAL Trafficking.
HEAL Trafficking Submits Information for the 2024 Trafficking in Persons Report
In January 2024, HEAL Trafficking solicited information from its network of greater than 4000 professionals and human trafficking survivors in more than 50 countries about barriers to caring for trafficked persons who interact with health care in their country, the
Endorsement for Proposed Legislation SIL223723
HEAL Trafficking endorsed the proposed legislation (SIL223723) to prevent human trafficking survivors who bring civil claims against their traffickers from being forced into arbitration.
HEAL Trafficking signs on H.R.2601 Letter
On September 8, 2023, HEAL Trafficking was among national, state, regional and local organizations that signed on the H.R.2601 letter advocating for a victim-centered National Human Trafficking Hotline.
HEAL Trafficking Submits Information for the 2023 Trafficking in Persons Report
In January 2023, HEAL Trafficking solicited information from its network of greater than 4,000 professionals and human trafficking survivors in more than 45 countries about barriers to caring for trafficked persons who interact with health care in their country and
HEAL Trafficking signs on Abortion Care Letter
On August 19, 2022, HEAL Trafficking was among 41 health care, reproductive rights, child welfare, immigration, and civil rights organizations that signed on the abortion care letter for unaccompanied children in custody of the Department of Health and Human Services
HEAL Trafficking's letter of support for the proposed Assembly Bill AB2790 (Wicks)
On March 29, 2022, HEAL Trafficking submitted a letter of support for the proposed Assembly Bill AB2790 (Wicks) – Centering Survivor Safety and Health Act – to the California State Assembly Public Safety Committee. In HEAL Trafficking’s experience, California’s medical
HEAL-led UN Policy Guide, Health Policy and Practice
Through a year long process of convening experts, including those with lived experience, and culling evidence, the UN Delta 8.7 Policy Guides have been released. HEAL Trafficking led the subgroup on Health Policy and Practice.
HEAL Trafficking Submits Information for the 2022 Trafficking in Persons Report
On February 4, 2022, HEAL Trafficking submitted information to the U.S. State Department for the 2022 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report. The submission included highlights of HEAL Trafficking’s 2021 Impact and the results of a global survey. In January 2022,
HEAL Trafficking Submits Information for the 2021 Trafficking in Persons Report
On February 1, 2021, HEAL Trafficking submitted information to the U.S. State Department for the 2021 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report. The submission included highlights of HEAL Trafficking’s 2020 Impact and the results of a global survey. In January 2021,
HEAL Advocacy Webinar: Mandatory Reporting of Human Trafficking
This webinar explored a topic of increasing concern to health care professionals, lawyers, and other advocates. In recent years, increasing numbers of states have been amending their laws to require reporting of human trafficking, especially of children. These laws usually
HEAL Trafficking Joins ATEST
Three trailblazing organizations have joined the Alliance to End Slavery and Trafficking (ATEST), expanding the alliance’s depth and breadth of expertise and strengthening the alliance’s collective voice. HEAL Trafficking, Humanity United Action and the McCain Institute for International Leadership bring
Letter to the High Commissioner for Human Rights on the Implementation of the Resolution on Police Violence and Structural Racism
On August 3, 2020 HEAL Trafficking joined more than 360 civil society organizations and 144 families of victims of police violence in signing a letter to United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights with strong recommendations for the report the High Commissioner
HEAL comments on preliminary recommendations of the National Advisory Committee on the Sex Trafficking of Children and Youth in the United States
On June 9. 2020, HEAL Trafficking submitted comments in response to the Office on Trafficking in Persons (OTIP) request for public comment on its “Proposed Information Collection Activity; National Advisory Committee on the Sex Trafficking of Children and Youth in
HEAL comments on HHS rule and CDC order that eviscerate asylum protections and safeguards for unaccompanied children while failing to further the public health justifications
On April 23, 2020 HEAL Trafficking submitted comments on the Department of Health and Human Services’ interim final rule, “Suspension of Introduction of Persons Into United States From Designated Foreign Countries or Places for Public Health Purposes” and an accompanying
HEAL and Freedom Network USA comment on Data Collection for Domestic Victims of Human Trafficking Program
On February 25, 2020, HEAL Trafficking joined Freedom Network USA to submit comments to the Office of Trafficking in Persons (OTIP) on the revised data collection forms for the Domestic Victims of Human Trafficking Program, recommending additional changes to uphold
HEAL submits information for the 2020 Trafficking in Persons Report
On January 15, 2020, HEAL Trafficking submitted information to the U.S. State Department for the 2020 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report. The submission included responses to 32 questions posed in the U.S. State Department’s request for information. HEAL Trafficking’s responses
HEAL's Curriculum Assessment Tool featured in the 20th Anniversary U.S. State Department Trafficking in Persons Report
The Assessment Tool for Health Care Provider Human Trafficking Training was featured in the 2020 U.S. State Department Trafficking in Persons Report, is being utilized in 8 countries as a standard-setting metric in human trafficking curriculum development, and the state
Response to OTIP Regarding Recommendations for Preventing Trafficking
On August 30, 2019, Freedom Network USA (FNUSA), HEAL Trafficking, and the National Survivor Network (NSN) provided recommendations for the prevention of trafficking to the Office of Trafficking in Persons. The attached document contains their response.
Solving an Epidemic: Addressing human trafficking around major events like the Super Bowl and the need for cross-jurisdictional solutions
Dr. Stoklosa’s written congressional testimony to the U.S. House of Representatives House Committee on Rules. Dr. Potter (THRIVE clinic)’s testimony
Comment Regarding Nondiscrimination in Health and Health Education Programs or Activities
We write on behalf of HEAL Trafficking, Freedom Network USA, and the National Survivor
Network to express strong opposition to the proposed rule entitled “Nondiscrimination in
Health and Health Education Programs or Activities,” published on June 14, 2019 by the
Department of Health
Letter to Congress to Protect Title X and Repeal the Global Gag Rule
In recent years we have seen policymakers push a radical, unethical, anti-sexual and reproductive rights agenda, including through executive order and rulemaking. The current administration has moved to cut access to critical health care programs in the U.S. and abroad,
HEAL Comments on “Health Resources and Services Administration Uniform Data System"
On behalf of the International Centre for Missing and Exploited Children and HEAL Trafficking, we wrote in support of the proposal to include ICD 10 codes for human trafficking (HT) and intimate partner violence (IPV) in the Information Collection Request
HEAL Trafficking Comments Criminal Procedure: Vacatur Relief for Human Trafficking Victims 236.14: SPR19-15
June 10, 2019 Judicial Council of California To Whom it May Concern: Subject: Criminal Procedure: Vacatur Relief for Human Trafficking Victims 236.14: SPR19-15 Background Founded in the fall of 2013, HEAL Trafficking is a united group of survivors and multidisciplinary
HEAL Trafficking comments on the Office of Trafficking in Persons (OTIP) Trafficking Victim Assistance Program (TVAP) Data Collection
HEAL Trafficking submitted comments to the federal HHS Administration for Children and Families regarding data collection forms for TVAP grantees and subcontractors, expressing concern that collection of detailed information about medical services and screening tests obtained, as well as specific information about life histories and
HEAL Trafficking comments to the NY State Department of Health on proposed regulations
February 18, 2019 – HEAL Trafficking submitted comment to the NY State Department of Health on proposed regulations to implement NY Public Health Law § 2805-y requiring hospitals and other health care facilities to establish and implement policies and training
HEAL signs on to the next Federal Minimum Wage bill, the Raise the Wage Act of 2019
The undersigned organizations enthusiastically support the Raise the Wage Act of 2019, as introduced by Senators Bernie Sanders (VT) and Patty Murray (WA), Representatives Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA), Mark Pocan (WI) and Stephanie Murphy (FL). If enacted, this legislation
HEAL Trafficking Webinar: How should we talk about human trafficking statistics?
Where is the anti-trafficking movement on data? How do we measure human trafficking using available data? Guest Panelists: Jessie Brunner, WSD Handa Center for Human Rights and International Justice, Stanford University (https://handacenter.stanford.edu/people/jessie-brunner) Amy Farrell, School of Criminology and Criminal Justice,
HEAL contributes to Letter of Recommendations to Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services and Meeting Notes from the National Advisory Council of Migrant Health (NACMH)
The National Advisory Council on Migrant Health (NACMH/Council) advises, consults with, and makes recommendations to the Secretary of HHS and the Administrator of HRSA. [Letter at above link.]
ATEST and HEAL Trafficking Urge Congress to Preserve Safeguards for Vulnerable Migrant Children
January 23, 2019 • WASHINGTON – A new funding proposal pending before the Senate this week will rollback protections for children coming to the U.S. to flee violence, human trafficking, and other forms of abuse in Central America. The bill would undo
Coalition Letter Urging Congress to Defend the Health and Rights of Immigrant Women and Families in the FY19 Continuing Resolution and Beyond
December 10, 2018 Re: Defending the Health and Rights of Immigrant Women and Families in the FY19 Continuing Resolution and Beyond Dear Chairman Shelby, Ranking Member Leahy, Chairman Capito, Ranking Member Tester, Chairman Frelinghuysen, Ranking Member Lowey, Chairman Yoder, and
Human Trafficking: A Public Health Perspective (excerpt from US TIP Report 2017)
Human trafficking is a crime increasingly associated with other government priorities such as national security, economic stability, migration, and environmental sustainability. It is reported that human trafficking fuels transnational criminal organizations, exacerbates irregular migratory flows, disrupts labor markets, and sustains
HEAL Trafficking Submission to “2018 Trafficking in Persons Report" Request for Information, Public Notice: 10237, Federal Register, Vol. 82, No. 246, December 26, 2017
HEAL Trafficking submits this information in response to the “Request for Information for the 2018 Trafficking in Persons Report”, Public Notice: 10237, Federal Register, Vol. 82, No. 246, December 26, 2017. “Founded in the fall of 2013, HEAL Trafficking is
HEAL Comments Re: Proposed Rulemaking: “Apprehension, Processing, Care, and Custody of Alien Minors and Unaccompanied Alien Children,” 83 Fed. Reg. 45486 (September 7, 2018)
HEAL Trafficking, Inc., offers the following comments to the Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”) and the Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”) regarding the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (“NPRM”) to implement and amend regulations relating to the apprehension, processing,
HEAL Comments re: Proposed Rulemaking: Inadmissibility on Public Charge Grounds
HEAL Trafficking, Inc. submits these comments to express our strong opposition to the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM or proposed rule), Inadmissibility on Public Charge Grounds, published in the Federal Register on October 10, 2018.
HEAL CO-Authors "Preventing Human Trafficking Using Data-driven, Community-based Strategies"
A policy brief developed by the Research-to-Policy Collaboration with support from the Society for Community Research and Action. Prepared through the Research-to-Policy Collaboration with the support of the Society for Community Research and Action and the following organizations. Authors: Elizabeth Long, Joan Reid,
HEAL & ATEST Public Comment on Migrant Health and Human Trafficking in Agriculture
HEAL Trafficking and ATEST are jointly providing public comment on Topic I. Patient Engagement Strategies, and Topic III. Human Trafficking in Agriculture, for the November 14-15, 2018 meeting of the National Advisory Council on Migrant Health.
Video: HEAL Congressional Briefing Panel Discussion “The Realities of Human Trafficking: Addressing the Mental Health Needs of Survivors”
Rep. Bennie G. Thompson sponsored a Congressional Panel discussion on human trafficking and mental health July 12, 2018. The panel was moderated by Hanni Stoklosa, MD, MPH, Executive Director of HEAL Trafficking.
HEAL presents at Congressional Briefing Preventing Human Trafficking: Research on How to Stop Trafficking Before It Starts
On November 2, 2017 a congressional briefing was held in partnership with the Congressional Victims’ Rights Caucus and several sponsors seen below. A panel of researchers described (1) conditions that increase a person’s vulnerability to trafficking victimization, (2) community-based strategies
2017: HEAL Trafficking Submits a Letter to Congress Opposing Medicaid Cuts
On behalf of HEAL Trafficking, we are writing to express how integral Medicaid is to the care of trafficking victims. Medicaid is life-saving for victims of trafficking.
Public Comment on Draft Legislation, House Committee on Ways and Means "Preventing Sex Trafficking and Improving Opportunities for Youth in Foster Care Act"
On January 17th, 2014, HEAL Submits a Letter in Support of Proposed Legislation: “We submit this comment on behalf of HEAL Trafficking, an interdisciplinary network of health professionals from across the United States and beyond, working to combat human trafficking