The public health perspective on sex trafficking of women and girls in the Boston area

Saturday, March 31, 2012: 2:10 PM-3:30 PM
Pacific C (San Francisco Marriott Marquis)
Speaker:
Wendy Macías-Konstantopoulos, MD, MPH, Massachusetts General Hospital

Authors:
Deanne C. Munroe, JD, MSN, APN-BC, Queens Medical Center
Roy Ahn, MPH, ScD, Massachusetts General Hospital
Elizabeth Cafferty, MSc, Massachusetts General Hospital
Thomas F. Burke, MD, Massachusetts General Hospital


Presentation Format:
Scientific Program Report

Learning Objectives:
  1. Identify the local characteristics of sex trafficking in the Boston area, including the scope of the problem, mechanisms of recruitment and social determinants
  2. Describe the health and mental health needs of this population
  3. Recognize the potential role of the health system in improving health among sex trafficked victims
Description:
To determine the potential anti-trafficking role of the local health system, case study methodology was employed to understand the current health response to sex trafficking in the Boston area. Health needs of sex trafficked victims are numerous, yet health services are patchy. Health providers, in general, possess a low awareness of the issue. In addition to preventative and policy activities, potential roles for improving health include increasing awareness/training of providers, increasing victim identification, and increasing referrals to social services.