The adequacy of individuals’ moral agency requires an unequivocal commitment to be ethical and to do the ethically right thing for the right reasons (Taylor, n.d.). Health care professionals are among the few professions more likely to interact with trafficked individuals. Strengthening moral agency of health care providers begins with the acknowledgment that human trafficking is a world-wide phenomenon. Nurses play a vital role in translating how human trafficking is a global health issue requiring global solutions.
Purpose: The purpose of this ethics - based presentation is three-fold: (1) describe the ethical responsibilities of nurses to address the reality of trafficking in their community and across the globe (2) identify how moral agency can strengthen victim centered nursing practice, and (3) discuss how nursing advocacy and responsiveness can foster collaborative community based health care services to trafficked victims.
Every community world-wide is different and lack of resources frequently is the predominant reason why human trafficking flourishes. In responding to the ethical complexities associated with human trafficking, moral agency requires the pivotal virtue of courage and sensibility (Taylor, n.d.). Nurses are in a position to make a difference in the lives of trafficking victims at several points, from the initial health care encounter and identification, to their rescue and restoration to health (Sabella, 2011). Nursing action requires moral agency and responsiveness linked to nursing actions that are implemented with knowledge and understanding (Skalko & Cherry, 2016) of the push and pull factors associated with human trafficking as a $150, 000 billion world-wide industry (Human Rights First, 2017).
Human trafficking deprives victims of their human dignity. To deface human dignity is to deny a person or a group of people of their unique sacredness present in each human person (Mitchell, 2016). Upholding human dignity is a hallmark of nursing practice and requires nurses to advocate for voiceless trafficked human persons. A victim-centered approach that encompasses moral agency, compassion, and social justice are key attributes in nursing care for trafficked individuals. The implementation of a comprehensive care model addressing the physical health, mental health and safety needs of trafficked victims (Twigg, 2017; Shandro et al, 2016) are the catalyzing elements of ethical care for the advancement of collaborative nursing practice.
Methods: N/A
Human trafficking is divided into several categories: forced sexual exploitation, forced labor and domestic servitude. While there is no single profile for those who have been trafficked, certain individuals may be more vulnerable to being victimized (AWHONN, 2016). Based on the age and form of trafficking, patient assessment requires nurses to fully understand the indicators of trafficking and the resources available to combat trafficking. Strategies focusing on how to dialogue with victims begins with respect and understanding the devastating harm done to victims. Coercion, fraud, threats, violence, abuse and torture are central elements in all forms of trafficking. The trafficked individual’s intrinsic value, freedom and autonomy are obliterated.
Results: N/A
Conclusion:
Nurses are uniquely situated as trusted professionals within their communities and society to courageously respond and advocate for ethics based anti-trafficking solutions to end the globalization of human trafficking. It is paramount for nurses to connect and dialogue with community leaders, law enforcement and political leaders to establish a unified approach for community awareness campaigns and public education prevention programs. Finally, nursing as a profession has a duty and responsibility to develop human trafficking as a nursing sub-specialty within nursing. This action could positively impact local and global nursing collaboration in responding to trafficking, as an unjust and immoral violation of basic human rights and human dignity.