137EMF A Trafficking Screening Tool Validation Study

Abstract

As human trafficking becomes more commonly understood as a health problem and emergency departments (ED) recognize their potentially unique role in serving patients who have been trafficked, care institutions seek to improve their ability to identify patients in trafficking situations. Importantly, many studies and case reports demonstrate that labor trafficking is a major form of exploitation, but assessments for sex trafficking is the main focus of health care institutions. This biases which patients victimized by trafficking have the opportunity to seek assistance in the ED. To date, there is no validated labor and sex trafficking screening tool for use in health care settings. In this multi-site study, we are developing and validating a short screening tool so that screeners do not have to be experts in identifying trafficking to successfully, systematically screen ED patients for labor and/or sex trafficking. This investigation, at 3 EDs in New York City and 1 in Fort Worth, Texas, tests dichotomous questions against the gold standard, the Vera Institute's Trafficking Victim Identification Tool, using a sample of randomly selected, clinically stable, ED patients. The sensitivity of these questions will be evaluated and psychometrically assessed to determine the best short tool for clinical use. At the end of May 2018, 1,286 participants (expected enrollment 3,000) have completed the interview, with 1.82% screening positive for a trafficking experience, according to federal law. Preliminary results will be shared, and methodology of validation plan discussed. The development and validation of a user-independent, short screening tool that allows clinicians to identify labor and sex trafficking will contribute to EDs responsibly serving victimized community members.