Child Sexual Exploitation: A Survey of Knowledge and Confidence of Healthcare Providers in Saskatchewan, Canada

Abstract

Many human trafficking victims access healthcare, but most are not identified.• Healthcare providers' overall knowledge in identifying commercially sexually exploited children was strong.• Healthcare providers lack confidence in identifying and managing sexually exploited children.

Current Trends in Sex Trafficking Research

“…For example, although educational and medical societies recommend that students learn to recognize and provide care for sexually trafficked individuals, Talbott and colleagues [ 41 ] were able to identify only four programs which aimed to train medical students on identification and intervention. A Canadian study of medical professionals ( n = 125) found that 40% of physicians and 51% of other health professionals (e.g., nurses and psychologists) had never received training related to CST and did not feel comfortable making identification judgments [ 42 •]. Further some research suggests that healthcare providers may be more attuned to general signs of child maltreatment rather than having specific knowledge regarding risks of CST [ 42 •, 43 ].…”

“…A Canadian study of medical professionals ( n = 125) found that 40% of physicians and 51% of other health professionals (e.g., nurses and psychologists) had never received training related to CST and did not feel comfortable making identification judgments [ 42 •]. Further some research suggests that healthcare providers may be more attuned to general signs of child maltreatment rather than having specific knowledge regarding risks of CST [ 42 •, 43 ].…”