Protocols

The HEAL Protocols Initiative fosters collaboration to standardize evidence-based protocols for the identification, care, and referral of survivors of human trafficking in health care settings. The Protocols Initiative leader is Susie Baldwin, MD, MPH.

HEAL Protocol Assistance

HEAL Trafficking and Hope for Justice’s Protocol Toolkit

This systems toolkit is designed to help professionals working in health care settings develop a protocol to respond to potential victims of human trafficking who present to their facility.

Bring the HEAL Consultancy Team to your Health System

Creating a trafficking response protocol or training curriculum for your health system? HEAL has provided technical assistance across the United States and internationally, and our toolkit is being used in over 60 countries.

Documenting ICD Codes and Other Sensitive Information in Electronic Health Records

In 2018, the CDC adopted new ICD codes (created by HEAL Trafficking and other stakeholders) to describe human trafficking (HT). These specific HT codes allow healthcare professionals and others to optimize continuity of care for trafficked persons, determine health needs

Other Resources for Protocol Development

Recommendations for Trauma- and Violence-Informed Care (TVIC) Physical Examinations for Patients

Many, if not most people, have had exposure to trauma, which includes experiences of abuse, neglect, and violence, such as human trafficking. Keep in mind, as a clinician, you do not need to know the exact nature of a patient’s

U-M Human Trafficking Collaborative Website for Health Care Provider Training

Ann Arbor, MI – The University of Michigan School of Nursing and U-M Law School is excited to announce the launch of the U-M Human Trafficking Collaborative website, an accurate and dependable resource for authenticated information and training on human

Human Trafficking in a Healthcare Setting: Protocol Suggestions for Healthcare Providers

Human Trafficking in a Healthcare Setting: Protocol Suggestions for Healthcare Providers serves as a starting point for healthcare professionals to create their own organizational protocol on how to address human trafficking within their facility’s mission, guidelines, policies, values, and culture.

H.E.A.T. Institute - HEAL Trafficking - Levitt Center: Human Trafficking Response Protocols

Between 2017 and 2019, HEAL Trafficking provided technical assistance to the Human Exploitation and Trafficking (H.E.A.T.) Institute of the District Attorneys office of Alameda County, California to guide the development and implementation of trafficking response protocols in four local hospitals,

Reclaim 611: Human Trafficking Protocol

Equipping frontline professionals to Recognize, Respond, and Report victims of human trafficking.

Human Trafficking in the Emergency Department: Improving Our Response to a Vulnerable Population

“This paper reviews some of the current human trafficking literature and describes the implementation of the HEAL Toolkit based on our experience at an academic, urban, county ED serving 85,000 patients per year with a dedicated children’s ED serving 35,000

Labor Trafficking Self-Assessment Card

Created by a multi-disciplinary working group, the Labor Trafficking Self-Assessment Card provides workers with discreet and easy-to-carry information about labor trafficking. Published by The Advocates for Human Rights.

SAFE Center & Maryland Hospital Association Release 2020 Medical Guidelines

The SAFE Center partnered with the Maryland Hospital Association, the Maryland Human Trafficking Task Force, and Maryland hospitals to produce the first update on the state’s guidelines for identifying and supporting survivors of human trafficking in the hospital setting. The

VHHA Human Trafficking Resource Manual

The Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association has developed a human trafficking resource manual, Human Trafficking: Care and Response, in collaboration with clinicians from its member hospitals and health systems with experience in forensic nursing, human trafficking, sexual assault care, and

San Diego County Health Subcommittee- Best practices addressing human trafficking in healthcare settings

San Diego County Health Subcommittee Welcome Packet: best practices addressing human trafficking in healthcare settings including protocol development, screening and assessment, and education tools. Please fill the form below to receive the unified Toolkit covering: Human Trafficking Protocol Development Screening

CommonSpirit Health Human Trafficking Response Program Shared Learnings Manual

The Dignity Health Human Trafficking Response (HTR) Program was developed to help ensure that trafficked persons are identified in health care settings and assisted with trauma-informed patient care and services. The purpose of this manual is to share updated HTR

Cook County Human Trafficking Task Force Protocol

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - Screening to Identify Trafficking Survivors

This panel discusses barriers to identification and strategies for developing, adapting, and using trauma-informed screening tools, and referral protocols in diverse settings to promote access to services and ensure better coordination among providers. Presenters • Moderator: Nicole Greene, Acting Director,

PEARR Tool

The PEARR tool, created by CommonSpirit Health, HEAL Trafficking, and Pacific Survivor Center is an evidence-based framework for assessment for trafficking and other forms of interpersonal violence. It is based off the CUES model, or universal education approach, which is

Trafficking Patient Self-Assessment Cards (multiple languages)

Dignity Health Example Abuse Policy: Abuse, Neglect, and Violence – Identification and Intervention For Care and Treatment of Patients Who May be Victims/Survivors

Dignity Health Example Abuse Policy: Abuse, Neglect, and Violence – Identification and Intervention For Care and Treatment of Patients Who May be Victims/Survivors, 2019.

Boston Area Human Trafficking Framework

Boston Area Human Trafficking Framework. 2016.

Framework for a Human Trafficking Protocol in Healthcare Settings

Created by the National Human Trafficking Resource Center (NHTRC) This framework provides a step by step guide recommendations for action once a potential human trafficking victim has been identified by a healthcare professional. This publication was made possible in part

Bon Secours Mercy Health Trafficking Protocol

This flow chart is used by Bon Secours Mercy Health to identify and help trafficking victims.

Ohio Department of Health - Human Trafficking Observing and Reporting Protocol

Established in May 2013, Ohio’s Department of Health Department – School Nurses provide a protocol to identify and report human trafficking victims.

St. Louis: Identifying Human Trafficking in Health Care Settings: Guidance Document

St. Louis: Identifying Human Trafficking in Health Care Settings: Guidance Document. 2015.

Utah: Hospital protocol for Victims of Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation

University of Utah Hospital System have a policy on Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation which covers Intimate Partner Violence, Vulnerable Adult Abuse, Human Trafficking, Child Abuse & Neglect and Sexual Assault.

Atlanta: Child Sex Trafficking And Commercial Sexual Exploitation Guideline

Developed through the efforts of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and physicians on Children’s medical staff in the interest of advancing pediatric healthcare. 2015.

Illinois: Cook County "Model Human Trafficking Protocol for Health Care Setting"

This protocol was developed by the Cook County Human Trafficking Task Force’s Healthcare Subcommittee. They can provide technical assistance and support to area hospitals and clinics to adapt this model protocol for your specific setting. The subcommittee also recommends training

Kansas: University of Kansas Hospital Emergency Department Protocol

The University of Kansas Hospital Protocol, “Care of Suspected Victim of Human Trafficking,” sponsored by the Emergency Department. 2017.

Psychotherapy for Commercially Sexually Exploited Children: A Guide for Community-Based Behavioral Health Practitioners and Agencies

Basson, D., Langs, J., Acker, K., Katz, S., Desai, N., & Ford, J. (2018). Psychotherapy for Commercially Sexually Exploited Children: A Guide for Community-Based Behavioral Health Practitioners and Agencies. Oakland, CA: WestCoast Children’s Clinic.