Citation

Izaddoost SA, Kelly M, Volk AS, Robichaux K, Coverdale JH, Gordon MR. Aesthet. Surg. J. 2019; 39(7): NP293-NP294.

Affiliation

Division of Plastic Surgery and the Department of Psychiatry, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Oxford University Press)

DOI

10.1093/asj/sjz116

PMID

31225864

Abstract

Human trafficking is a global health crisis, egregious crime, and human rights violation. With over 40 million victims worldwide, this $150-billion industry centers around sexual exploitation.1 Trafficked victims often seek healthcare services, with most reporting that providers were not aware of their victimization.2 Therefore, plastic surgeons are in a unique position to identify, treat, and refer patients who are current or past victims of human trafficking.

Plastic surgeons may encounter victims during primary aesthetic consultations, when treating complications from prior procedures, and when managing the consequences of physical abuse such as scars, burns, branding, or tattoos. Victims may be coerced by the trafficker into having aesthetic procedures to increase the sexual desirability of...

© 2019 The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, Inc. Reprints and permission: journals.permissions@oup.com

This article is published and distributed under the terms of the Oxford University Press, Standard Journals Publication Model

Language: en