Human trafficking is a global crisis and a profound violation of human rights that affects millions of individuals worldwide. As we recognize January as Human Trafficking Awareness Month, the American Medical Women’s Association (AMWA) reaffirms its commitment to combat this critical issue and to support survivors.

Understanding Human Trafficking

Human trafficking involves the exploitation of individuals through force, fraud, or coercion for purposes such as forced labor, sexual exploitation, and other forms of abuse. While trafficking often operates in the shadows; the impact is pervasive. Victims Survivors of trafficking come from all walks of life, with women and children disproportionately affected. The trauma endured by survivors can lead to long-term physical, emotional, and psychological health consequences.

The Role of Healthcare Professionals

Healthcare professionals are uniquely positioned to identify and support victims of human trafficking. Studies show that a significant percentage of trafficking survivors access healthcare services at some point during their exploitation. However, many victims remain undetected due to a lack of awareness and training among providers.

Since 2014, AMWA launched Physicians Against the Trafficking of Humans (AMWA-PATH) to engage in:

  • Education: Hosting webinars, workshops, and training across the country, utilizing the LIFT (Learn, Identify, Fight Trafficking) training and in speaking at national conferences on human trafficking to equip healthcare professionals with the tools to identify and assist victims and survivors.
  • Collaboration: Partnering with organizations focused on ending human trafficking and supporting survivors.
  • Advocacy: Supporting policies and initiatives that protect victims and survivors and hold perpetrators accountable.as well as enhancing social and structural drivers of health for all.

Traci Kurtzer, MD

OB-GYN and past president of AMWA-PATH, Dr.Traci Kurtzer, reflected on the evolution of PATH to focus on efforts that address the intersectionality of human trafficking with other human rights issues: “Over the past few years, we have collaborated closely with survivors in our advocacy work in addition to curriculum development. In addition, our trainings focus on ways in which we, as healthcare professionals, can try to eliminate human trafficking not only through early identification and intervention of survivors, as an important way to limit further harm, but also through a preventative health approach to provide resources and enhance the social safety net many of our patients need to avoid the opportunities for their exploitation in the first place.”

How You Can Help

During Human Trafficking Awareness Month, we invite all AMWA members and the broader medical community to take action:

  1. Learn and Share: Increase your knowledge of human trafficking, request a LIFT training for your team, and/or share resources with colleagues and patients.
  2. Volunteer: Offer your skills to organizations that assist survivors or prevent other
  3. intersectional forms of interpersonal violence such as child abuse, domestic violence, housing and food insecurity.
  4. Advocate: Support legislation and initiatives that address the root causes of trafficking and provide comprehensive care for survivors. Follow AMWA-PATH for updates on national legislation and action alerts.

For those seeking to expand their understanding or to get involved, please join AMWA-PATH. To learn more about trafficking check out the consider the following organizations and know the hotline number:

National Human Trafficking Hotline: 1-888-373-7888 or text 233733 (BEFREE).

  • National Human Trafficking Hotline: 1-888-373-7888 or text 233733 (BEFREE).
  • Polaris Project: A leader in the global fight to eradicate human trafficking.
  • National Human Trafficking Hotline: 1-888-373-7888 or text 233733 (BEFREE).
  • HEAL Trafficking: A global network of professionals dedicated to ending trafficking and supporting survivors through a health lens.

A Call to Action

Human Trafficking Awareness Month is a time to reflect on the resilience of survivors, to amplify their voices, and to take collective action against exploitation and human rights’ abuse. Together, we can ensure that healthcare professionals play a pivotal role in the fight against human trafficking and in the journey toward healing and empowerment for survivors.

Let us make 2025 a year of progress and compassion as we strive to end this global crisis.