100% Online Texas Human Trafficking Training for Physicians and Physician Assistants

At the conclusion of this course, participants will be able to:

1. Define labor and sex trafficking as established by 22 U.S.C. §7102.

2. Explain the clinical and legal concepts of force, fraud, and coercion within the context of human exploitation.

3. Differentiate between human trafficking and human smuggling.

4. Differentiate between sex trafficking and consensual commercial sex.

5. Describe a variety of trafficker profiles and their specific recruitment techniques.

6. Analyze the profound physical and psychological impact of trafficking on a survivor.

7. Implement clear, patient-centered and trauma-informed strategies to engage potential survivors.

8. Identify the diverse clinical settings in which trafficked persons may be encountered.

9. Recognize clinical indicators of trafficking, including acute traumatic injuries and chronic somatic conditions.

10. Navigate the challenges of identifying survivors through effective private conversation strategies and the prioritized use of professional medical interpreters.

11. Apply best practices for appropriate clinical documentation and operational-safety protocols to protect both patients and staff.

12. Evaluate the clinical and safety implications of law enforcement involvement.

13. Utilize validated or evidence-based screening tools within the clinical workflow.

14. Execute best practices for survivor-centered, multidisciplinary referrals within healthcare organizations and with community partner networks.

15. Fulfill mandated reporter obligations for suspected child abuse and the abuse of older adults or individuals with a disability, including the 24-hour reporting requirement established by Senate Bill 571 (2025).

16. Coordinate effectively with law enforcement agencies, Child Protective Services (CPS), and Adult Protective Services (APS) when legally required.

17. Connect survivors with essential local, state, and national resources, including the National Human Trafficking Hotline.

In alignment with Texas state mandates, this comprehensive training equips medical professionals (MDs, DOs, and PAs) to identify and assist survivors of human trafficking by transitioning from a passive observation model to a proactive, trauma-informed clinical framework. Participants will master a rigorous analysis of the trafficking landscape, including the legal definitions established by 22 U.S.C. §7102 and the concepts of force, fraud, or coercion used to subvert patient autonomy. The curriculum evaluates the critical distinctions between human trafficking and smuggling, as well as sex trafficking versus consensual commercial sex, while establishing the fact that anyone can be a victim regardless of demographic profile. Providers will explore a variety of trafficker profiles and recruitment techniques while describing the profound impact of trafficking on survivor health.

The course provides clear, patient-centered and trauma-informed strategies to engage survivors across various clinical settings. Providers will gain proficiency in recognizing a look-beneath-the-surface set of indicators, including acute injuries and chronic conditions like pelvic pain or migraines. The training empowers clinicians to navigate the challenges of identifying potential victims through private conversations and the use of professional interpreters. Participants will conclude by mastering best practices for appropriate documentation, validated screening tools, and operational protocols to keep oneself and patients safe, including an analysis of the implications of law enforcement involvement. Finally, the curriculum reviews mandated-reporter obligations for suspected child abuse and the abuse of older adults or individuals with a disability—including the 24-hour reporting requirement established by Texas Senate Bill 571 (2025)—facilitating survivor-centered, multidisciplinary referrals to local, state, and national resources, including the National Human Trafficking Hotline.