1. The Medical Response To Child Sex Trafficking
Jordan Greenbaum, MD
Blank Center for Safe and Healthy Children
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta

2. Medical Response to Child Sex Trafficking
Our medical response is coordinated with police and child protective services
We provide the forensic interview, medical exam, treatment, rape kit, & referrals in 3 Emergency Depts and 2 clinics in Atlanta
We use trained nurse practitioners and forensic interviewers

3. The Process…. Police pick up victim
Police call Children’s Hospital Transfer Center
MP contacts social worker (SW)
Transfer Center contacts medical provider (MP) on-call
MP and SW meet police and child at hospital
Child has exam, interview
GCCO: this is the Georgia Care Connection, an organization that serves as the ‘gateway’ to services for victims. The GCCO immediately starts a comprehensive assessment of the child and her needs, and obtains services for the child (food, shelter, clothing, behavioral health therapy, skills training, school, legal help, etc)
MDT: this is the Multidicisplinary Team consisting of sex trafficking investigators and service providers from ~9 counties in and around Atlanta. We meet monthly to discuss cases and make sure child has received services, monitor her progress and monitor progress of investigation.
Child Protective Services are called, GCCO contacted
Team agrees on safety plan with GCCO
Child followed by MDT
Follow up at Center for repeat exam and forensic interview

4. The Medical Evaluation
Detailed medical interview
Is NOT a forensic interview
Assess chief complaint (current symptoms)
Reproductive health history
Prior/current injuries/abuse
Substance use/misuse
Mental Health Screen
High-risk behaviors
May not have any chief complaint if brought in for runaway status
Helps us identify medical needs, high-risk behavior that may need treatment, counseling, mental health needs.
Guides referrals
Now doing this for adolescents with sexual abuse presentation, to screen for trafficking

5. Medical Evaluation Document general health, untreated conditions
Document nongenital injuries
Urine drug testing

6. Medical Evaluation Sexual assault evidence kit
Colposcopic exam with photodocumentation
Testing/treatment sexually transmitted infections
Pregnancy testing/prophylaxis
Referrals for further care

7. Sex Trafficking Multidisciplinary Team
Serves metro Atlanta counties
Meets monthly to discuss cases
Exchange info on whereabouts of children, stage of investigation, ongoing services
Ensure that all relevant authorities are involved
Ensure medical exams obtained
Share resources
Cross-training of professionals
I was asked to review medical records of victim being seen by a mental health provider on the team.
During month, send out s about specific kids/investigations, asking for help/info

8. Education and Training
We host a webinar series and computer-based training for medical professionals
Topics include:
Overview of child sex trafficking
The Medical Examination
The Medical Interview
Special Topics
Victim/Survivor-Centered Approach to sex trafficking
Free CMEs
Also give Grand Rounds, talk at national conferences, regional conferences

9. Education and Training
We give presentations at medical conferences (local, regional and national)
We provide introductory training on child sex trafficking for multidisciplinary audiences (police, attorneys, behavioral health professionals, teachers, etc)
Free CMEs
Also give Grand Rounds, talk at national conferences, regional conferences