What You Can Do
In all cases, you can improve the safety and health of trafficked persons:
- Be aware of the possibility of human trafficking
- Recognise signs and symptoms
- Broach the subject sensitively
- Listen and make time
- Check their current safety position and assess immediate and future safety risks
- Give information and refer them on other services
- Document and record information accurately
Remember a trafficked person may be a virtual prisoner, so seeing health or social care staff may be a rare opportunity for him or her to tell someone about what is happening.
Think back to Marisca's story:
How long did it take before she opened up and finally disclosed her story?
She didn't disclose her story during her GP visit.
She also didn't disclose her story to Social Services, the local Special Needs in Pregnancy Team, or the TARA team.
It often takes time for the victims to disclose their story.