Ending Human Trafficking

Episode 369: What Should a Nurse Do When a Trafficker Is in the Room

Dr. Sigrid Burruss and Dr. Adrienne Schlatter join Dr. Sandie Morgan to explore what human trafficking actually looks like in healthcare settings, why safety matters more than rushing to the rescue, and how hospitals can build responses that help patients feel seen, supported, and safer -- with a close look at California's new SB 963, requiring emergency departments to screen every patient for trafficking. Chapters * (00:00) - Intro + SB 963: The New California Law * (03:08) - How Trafficking Survivors Come to Healthcare * (05:51) - Recognizing the Signs and Using Screening Tools * (10:00) - The Sticker Method: Creative Strategies for Privacy * (14:36) - Planting Seeds Instead of Rushing to Rescue * (19:27) - Training the Whole Team — Even the Cleaning Staff * (24:40) - Where to Find Resources and Training * (28:01) - Consent Laws, Reporting, and Adult Patients Dr. Sigrid Burruss & Dr. Adrienne Schlatter Dr. Sigrid Burruss is a board-certified surgeon at UCI Health specializing in trauma surgery and surgical critical care. She earned her medical degree from the University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine, completed her general surgery residency at UCLA Medical Center, and a fellowship in surgical critical care at UC San Diego Medical Center. Her professional interests include trauma prevention, reducing trauma recidivism, and understanding the relationship between mental health and physical trauma. She is engaged in connecting patients and families with community support systems to promote long-term recovery, and serves on the Orange County Human Trafficking Task Force Healthcare Subcommittee and CSEC steering committee as a leader in clinical response to child sexual exploitation and human trafficking. Dr. Adrienne Schlatter is a board-certified pediatrician at UCI Health, with dual board certification in Pediatrics and Child Abuse Pediatrics. She earned her medical degree from Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine, completed her residency in pediatrics at Los Angeles County USC Medical Center, and a fellowship in child abuse pediatrics at the University of Washington School of Medicine. Her clinical work focuses on the care of children who may be affected by abuse or neglect, including evaluation and coordination within multidisciplinary systems. Dr. Schlatter also serves on the Orange County Human Trafficking Task Force Healthcare Subcommittee and CSEC steering committee, bringing her expertise in child abuse pediatrics to the intersection of clinical care, consent law, and trauma-informed practice. Key Points • SB 963, effective January 1, 2025, requires all California emergency departments to screen every patient for human trafficking and adopt formal policies for doing so -- regardless of whether risk factors are present. • Trafficking survivors may come to the ED for reasons that appear unrelated to trafficking: physical assault with an inconsistent history, recurrent STIs, or chronic conditions like hypertension and diabetes that go unmanaged because the trafficker controls whether they can follow up with a primary care provider. • The triage nurse and check-in staff are often the first point of contact -- not the physician -- making it essential that everyone who encounters a patient, from reception to security to cleaning staff, knows what to look for and how to escalate. • When a potential trafficking survivor arrives with a companion claiming to be a family member, clinical policy and common procedures -- like a separate exam, an X-ray, or a trip to the bathroom for a urine sample -- can create a private moment to ask sensitive questions. • The sticker method gives patients a covert way to signal for help: bathroom posters invite patients to place a sticker on their urine cup if they feel unsafe, prompting staff to create a private conversation even when a trafficker is in the room. • Healthcare providers need to manage the impulse to rescue immediately; many survivors, especially teenagers, may not recognize that they are being trafficked, so the goal is to plant a seed of safety -- not to expect immediate disclosure or departure. • Discharge paperwork can carry covert resources: embedding youth housing, counseling services, and hotline numbers in a generic "age-appropriate resources" sheet means a survivor leaves with something useful even if they are not ready to act on it today. • California consent law gives minors over 12 the right to consent to STI testing, mental health care, and substance use counseling without parental permission -- and anyone can consent to forensic evidence collection after sexual assault -- giving clinicians important tools for trauma-informed care without putting young patients at greater risk. Resources SB 963 -- California Hospital Human Trafficking Screening Law https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202320240SB963 Orange County Human Trafficking Task Force -- Healthcare Subcommittee https://www.ochumantrafficking.com/committees/healthcaresubcommittee Quick Youth Indicators for Trafficking (QYIT) https://resources.rhyttac.org/resources/screening-tool/quick-youth-indicators-trafficking-qyit CSE-IT -- Commercial Sexual Exploitation-Identification Tool https://www.westcoastcc.org/cse-it/ National Human Trafficking Hotline https://humantraffickinghotline.org/en

368: What If the Trafficker Lives Inside the Home?

Zoe Bellatorre joins Dr. Sandie Morgan as they reveal why the most common form of child trafficking never makes the missing persons list — and why the quiet, compliant child sitting in the back of the classroom may be the one hiding the most. Chapters * (00:00) - Introduction: Why Familial Trafficking Gets Missed * (01:07) - Zoe Bellatorre: From Survivor to National Advocate * (04:52) - Defining Familial Trafficking and Its Unique Challenges * (09:41) - What Teachers and Communities Should Look For * (13:12) - Why Children Don't Disclose — and Aren't Believed * (15:09) - The Data: Statistics That Reframe the Problem * (19:03) - Moving Beyond Stranger Danger: Training Systems to See More * (29:23) - Hope for Change: What Every Person Can Do Zoe Bellatorre Zoe Bellatorre is a survivor advocate, trainer, and speaker with over a decade of experience in the anti-trafficking field, specializing in familial trafficking. She holds a Master's in Intercultural Studies with Children at Risk from Fuller Theological Seminary and a Bachelor of Science in Education from Ashland University. Zoe has served as Coordinator of Outreach with The Avery Center and as a Survivor Advocate with CAST LA and Dignity Health, providing crisis intervention within healthcare systems. A recognized subject matter expert, she has consulted with the Office for Victims of Crime Human Trafficking Collective, the National Human Trafficking Training and Technical Assistance Center (NHTTAC), and the U.S. State Department. Her published contributions include essays in the 2021 and 2023 Trafficking in Persons Reports, the 2024 co-authored work on child trafficking misconceptions, and the anthology Medical Perspectives on Human Trafficking in Adolescents. She serves on the advisory council for the Polaris Project's Resilience Fund and on the board of Ride My Road. Key Points * Familial trafficking — in which a family member or caregiver is the trafficker or sells the child to a third party — accounts for 60% of child trafficking cases, making it the most common form of exploitation, yet it remains the most overlooked. * Unlike pimp-controlled trafficking, children trafficked by family rarely go missing; they may attend school daily, making the conventional "missing child" framework nearly useless for identifying them. * The average age of entry into familial trafficking is four years old — years before most prevention education ever reaches a child — which means abuse becomes normalized long before anyone thinks to intervene. * Indicators for familial trafficking look very different from other forms: rather than acting out, these children tend to be unusually quiet, compliant, and eager to please adults, driven by fear of any attention being drawn back to the home. * Children in familial trafficking rarely disclose, and when they do, they are often not believed — after one or two failed attempts, most simply stop trying, leaving them isolated with the false belief that no one else experiences what they are living through. * 35% of familial trafficking cases are generational, meaning the cycle has repeated across mothers, grandmothers, and siblings — making family members who witnessed it less likely to intervene and more likely to look the other way. * The "stranger danger" framework has been one of the most damaging concepts in child protection, because it trains communities to look outward for threats while the exploitation happening inside trusted homes, families, and institutions goes unseen. * Research shows that a single trusted adult in a child's life significantly increases the likelihood of earlier disclosure or prevention altogether — meaning every person in a community has a concrete role to play, regardless of their profession. Resources * Ending Human Trafficking Podcast [https://endinghumantrafficking.org] * EHT Episode 278 – Identifying and Interacting with Minor Victims of Human Trafficking, with Dr. Jodi Quas [https://endinghumantrafficking.org/278/] * EHT Episode 353 – Grooming in Trusted Spaces: A Conversation with Dr. Beth Lorance [https://endinghumantrafficking.org/353-grooming-in-trusted-spaces-a-conversation-with-dr-beth-lorance/] * Trafficking in Persons Report – U.S. Department of State [https://www.state.gov/reports/2025-trafficking-in-persons-report/] * Medical Perspectives on Human Trafficking in Adolescents: A Case-Based Guide [https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-43367-3]

367: Stop Reacting to Events and Start Preparing

Ray Bercini and Sara Elander join Dr. Sandie Morgan to explore what's really at stake when a city like Los Angeles hosts the World Cup — and why the biggest trafficking risk might not be what you think. Chapters * (00:00) - Introduction: What LA's Preparing for and Why It Matters * (01:04) - Meet Ray and Sara: Roles at Saving Innocence and the LA Task Force * (06:19) - Building a Legacy Committee: Planning for FIFA and Beyond * (09:03) - Law Enforcement Readiness: Operations, Agencies, and Coordination * (11:50) - Separating Myth from Reality: What the Data Actually Shows About Trafficking and Major Events * (16:36) - Preparing for the Surge: Tips, Leads, and Victim Services Coordination * (24:18) - Vetting Outside Organizations and Staying in Your Lane * (32:37) - What Does Success Look Like After FIFA? Ray Bercini and Sara Elander Ray Bercini serves as Task Force Coordinator and Law Enforcement Liaison at Saving Innocence. With 31 years at the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department — including six years dedicated to human trafficking work — Ray brings deep cross-sector expertise to the intersection of law enforcement and victim services. He has been instrumental in building the LA Regional Human Trafficking Task Force into one of the largest co-located task forces in the nation, and has played a key role in preparing Los Angeles for major events including the Super Bowl, FIFA World Cup, and LA28 Olympics. Sara Elander is Director of Programs at Saving Innocence and Victim Service Coordinator for the LA Regional Human Trafficking Task Force. With over six years of experience in program management and trauma-informed care, Sara leads a team of crisis case managers and oversees survivor-centered services across LA County. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Community Advocacy and Social Policy from Arizona State University and is committed to healing-centered approaches that empower survivors toward long-term recovery and stability. Key Points * The widely repeated claim that major sporting events dramatically spike sex trafficking lacks supporting data — but the absence of proof isn't proof of absence, and LA is launching a research study around FIFA to finally generate real, local data. * Labor trafficking is the more evidence-based concern around large-scale events, with exploitation rising sharply in the lead-up to events through construction, hospitality, and vendor supply chains. * The LA Regional Human Trafficking Task Force launched a Sports and Major Events Committee with roughly 30 members and six subcommittees, designed as a legacy infrastructure that can serve future events beyond just FIFA. * Coordinating tips during a major international event is a complex, unsolved challenge — multiple agencies including FBI, HSI, LAPD, and LASD will all have tip lines, and the team is working to centralize reporting without losing coverage. * One of the most important lessons from the 2022 Super Bowl was that outside organizations parachuting in with good intentions — but without coordination — can undermine local trust and misdirect survivors away from local resources. * Effective multi-agency collaboration requires every organization to clearly define what they uniquely bring to the table, stay in their lane, and go through a vetting process before engaging in high-stakes response work. * Sara's definition of success after FIFA centers on community empowerment — if hospitality workers, transportation staff, and community members leave better equipped to identify and report trafficking indicators, that's a lasting win. * Ray's measure of success is straightforward: survivors of all forms of trafficking — sex and labor — are identified, connected to resources, and treated with dignity, which no single agency can accomplish alone. Resources * Saving Innocence [https://savinginnocence.org] * LA Regional Human Trafficking Task Force [https://www.lahumantrafficking.com] * National Human Trafficking Hotline [https://humantraffickinghotline.org] * Compass Connections [https://compassconnections.org] * Blue Campaign [https://www.dhs.gov/blue-campaign] * LA Regional Crime Stoppers [https://www.lacrimestoppers.org] * Global Center for Women and Justice [https://www.gcwj.org] * Ending Human Trafficking Podcast [https://endinghumantrafficking.org]

366: Why Information Alone Will Never Protect Young People

Dr. Nanyamka Redmond joins guest host Ruthi Hanchett as they explore how everyday adults — parents, teachers, coaches, and neighbors — can become a powerful protective factor in young people's lives by building the kinds of relationships that help youth thrive and navigate risk. Chapters * (00:00) - * (00:00) - Introduction: Why Relationships Matter More Than Programs * (01:02) - Meet Dr. Nanyamka Redmond and the Search Institute * (02:48) - What Are Developmental Assets — and Why Do They Work? * (09:27) - Defining Developmental Relationships: The Five Elements * (14:57) - How Caring Adults Can Protect At-Risk Youth * (20:11) - Building a Culture of Belonging in Schools and Communities * (30:13) - Resilience Is Relational: What Adults Need to Hear Right Now * (32:35) - Supporting Youth Leadership Without Getting Out of the Way * (00:00) - Chapter 10 Dr. Nanyamka Redmond Dr. Nanyamka Redmond is a Research Scientist at the Search Institute, a nationally recognized organization dedicated to advancing research and practical frameworks that help young people thrive. She holds a PhD in Applied Developmental Psychology from Fuller Theological Seminary and a Master's Degree in Clinical Psychology, Marriage and Family Therapy from Azusa Pacific University. Her work focuses on developmental relationships, youth resilience, and advancing equitable, relationship-centered approaches to youth development and wellbeing. Dr. Redmond specializes in translating developmental science into practical tools for educators, families, youth-serving professionals, and community organizations, emphasizing culturally responsive and strengths-based approaches that center young people's lived experiences. She has also served as Director of School Partnership for Character Lab, co-founded by Angela Duckworth, and is a keynote speaker at the Global Center for Women and Justice's Ensure Justice Conference. Key Points * An anti-trafficking program can teach warning signs, but it cannot replace a caring adult — if a young person doesn't feel seen, safe, and valued, information alone won't protect them. * The Search Institute's 40 Developmental Assets framework identifies a combination of internal strengths and external supports that young people need to thrive, and research consistently shows that the more assets a young person has, the better their outcomes. * Developmental relationships go beyond good relationships — they are defined by five specific elements (express care, challenge growth, provide support, share power, and expand possibilities) that research has shown to directly impact positive youth outcomes and reduce risk. * For youth who have experienced trauma, relationships have often been transactional or harmful, so the experience of someone who cares without strings attached can be surprising — which is why consistency and small, repeated moments of connection matter more than grand gestures. * Belonging is not just a buzzword — when adults work to help every young person feel genuinely seen and valued in the spaces meant for them, it builds the sense of dignity that serves as a foundation for resilience. * Sharing power with young people doesn't mean abandoning guidance; it means entering those relationships with a frame that sees adolescence as an age of opportunity rather than a period of storm and stress. * Resilience is relational — it is not something young people build alone, but something that grows when multiple caring adults across their ecosystem show up consistently over time. * Adults who want to support youth leadership can start with incremental steps: invite young people to co-create the questions, let them lead the conversation, and hold the barriers gently without squashing the vision. Resources * Search Institute [https://searchinstitute.org] * The 40 Developmental Assets Framework [https://searchinstitute.org/developmental-assets] * Global Center for Women and Justice [https://www.gcwj.org] * Ending Human Trafficking Podcast [https://endinghumantrafficking.org] * Age of Opportunity: Lessons from the New Science of Adolescence by Laurence Steinberg [https://www.laurencesteinberg.com/books/age-of-opportunity]

365: What 25 Years of Sweden's Sex Purchase Act Revealed

Anna-Carin Svensson joins Dr. Sandie Morgan as they explore how Sweden's decision to punish buyers instead of victims has reshaped who feels safe coming forward — and how that same principle is now being applied to hold online exploitation accountable. Chapters * (00:00) - Introduction: Sweden's Principle That Changed Everything * (01:07) - The Equality Model: Why Sweden Criminalized Buyers, Not Sellers * (07:37) - What 25 Years of Data Actually Shows * (09:16) - When Exploitation Moves Online: Updating the Law for the Digital Age * (14:37) - Why Multidisciplinary Collaboration Is Non-Negotiable * (18:41) - The Gap Between Good Laws and Correct Application * (25:02) - Prevention Starts Before the Warning Signs * (29:51) - Hope, Humanity, and the Road Ahead Anna-Carin Svensson Anna-Carin Svensson serves as Sweden's Ambassador to Combat Trafficking in Persons, representing Sweden in multilateral anti-trafficking efforts including at the United Nations. In this role, she has participated in high-level discussions related to the appraisal of the UN Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons, including the side event "Proactive by Design: Leveraging Multidisciplinary Collaboration and Digital Innovation to Prevent Human Trafficking." Previously, Svensson served as Director-General for International Affairs at the Swedish Ministry of Justice, where she led Swedish delegations in international human rights forums and oversaw Sweden's implementation of international legal obligations, including under the Convention against Torture. Across her career, she has consistently emphasized state responsibility, institutional accountability, cross-government coordination, and the importance of translating legislation into effective practice. Key Points * Sweden's Sex Purchase Act, introduced in 1999, was a landmark legal shift that criminalized the buyer of sexual services rather than the seller, placing the state firmly on the side of the more vulnerable party in the transaction and signaling that prostitution is a harm to all of society — not just to the individual. * A 2010 official evaluation of the law found measurable results: street prostitution decreased, criminal networks were deterred from establishing trafficking operations in Sweden, and public attitudes shifted significantly — evidence that law can have both a direct and a normative effect. * As exploitation moved online, Sweden updated its legislation in 2025 to extend the same principle into the digital space, criminalizing the purchase of live, on-demand sexual acts performed remotely — because if something is illegal offline, it must be illegal online. * Many victims who had been coerced into performing live cam shows said the new law would have made it easier for them to refuse, illustrating how legal frameworks can shift power back to the exploited person even before a crime is prosecuted. * Correct application of the law matters as much as the law itself — broad training across all professions, not just specialized units, is essential so that any first responder can recognize a victim, give an appropriate initial response, and connect them to the right support. * Multidisciplinary collaboration is not optional: criminal justice, social services, civil society, health professionals, schools, and international partners must all work in concert, because victims often feel safer disclosing to a social worker or nonprofit than to law enforcement, and that trust must be honored. * Digital literacy and healthy relationship education must begin before exploitation happens — teaching young people to recognize manipulation, loverboy tactics, and online red flags is one of the most important prevention investments a society can make. * Hope lies in the growing global community of organizations and individuals bringing creative, collaborative solutions to every aspect of this problem — and in the simple recognition that for every challenge, there are many possible answers. Resources * Ending Human Trafficking Podcast [https://endinghumantrafficking.org] * Global Center for Women and Justice (GCWJ) [https://www.gcwj.org] * UN Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons – 2025 Appraisal [https://www.unodc.org/unodc/TIP_GPA_appraisal/index.html] * Sweden's Sex Purchase Act – Swedish Gender Equality Agency [https://swedishgenderequalityagency.se/men-s-violence-against-women/prostitution-and-human-trafficking/prostitution-policy-in-sweden-targeting-demand/] * Sweden's 2025 Online Sexual Acts Legislation – Library of Congress Summary [https://www.loc.gov/item/global-legal-monitor/2025-06-10/sweden-parliament-criminalizes-the-purchase-of-online-sexual-acts/] Transcript Click here to view the episode transcript. [https://share.transistor.fm/s/3939428a/transcript]