The Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 and subsequent reauthorizations define human trafficking as a crime that involves exploiting an individual for labor, services, or commercial sex. Human trafficking, also known as trafficking in persons and modern slavery, is a highly profitable crime in which a perpetrator, often referred to as a trafficker, exploits adults, adolescents, or children by compelling them to perform labor or engage in commercial sex acts. The U.S. Department of State recognizes 2 primary forms of human trafficking: forced labor and sex trafficking. According to data collected by the National Human Trafficking Hotline, there were 10 359 situations of human trafficking identified in 2021, with most involving sex trafficking (7498, 72.4%). There were 16 554 people trafficked, with most individuals being sex trafficked (10 571, 63.9%). In 2021, there also was an increase in the number of individuals in the United States who were brought into trafficking by a family member. Byrne et al stated up to 80% of human trafficking survivors indicated that they saw a health care provider while being trafficked but were never identified.4 Completing human trafficking prevention education is important for providers, including medical imaging and radiation therapy professionals, so that they can identify patients who possibly are being trafficked and provide appropriate care, ending the cycle of exploitation.
展开▼
