Episode 35: Gender-Based Violence & Human Trafficking Part 2

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Kath Gallagher is the executive lead for Gender Based Violence at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.

Eoghan and Kath discuss Gender-Based Violence - why it’s important, how it can present, how to tackle it, and a whole lot more.

Firstly determine the level of risk they feel they are under
- if risk very high then call the police
  - best done with their consent but does not require it
- if they can manage the risk but want support:
  - find a way to provide the support details in a discrete way
    - this could be done using special lip salves (with numbers printed on them in the form of bar-codes)
    - hidden within headed letters
  - they could be discharged to speak to their GP or another health professional at a future appointment
    - most have been trained in the issue
  - IT IS IMPORTANT TO HAVE CONTACT DETAILS AVAILABLE AND MEANS TO DELIVER THEM IN YOUR DEPARTMENT
Reassure them there is help available and the health services are there to support them.
- this type of behaviour is not acceptable and there is lots of support out there for them
GP - an appointment can be used as a chance to follow-up with the patient
- you don’t need the patients permission to put information in the GP letter but it is good practice to say that you will

POLICE - if immediate risk is high
other options:
- WOMEN’S AID Helpline
- Out of hours social work
- you can support them to make the first call in the department if the partner is our of the room/cubicle
  - this can often empower the woman to make contact with them again in the future

between 9 - 5: contact Women’s Aid (see below)
- an arrangement will be made to get the woman to a Women’s Aid Office (probably by taxi)
- the staff will then determine the risk and try to find her a place of sdafety
- if none immediately available they will find a refuge as close as possible (neighbouring town/city) until one becomes available
An alternative option is Homelessness Accommodation City Council who can help with emergency temporary accommodation

If patients are distressed: you can involve local psychiatric services or crisis teams

Reasons:
- commercial sexual exploitation
- domestic exploitation
- labour exploitation
Women, men and children can be trafficked
they can experience more than one of the above reasons

typically they are not native to the country and don’t speak English very well
- although people can be trafficked internally within the UK
they may be someone who lacks documentation (e.g. passport) and not registered with a GP
Behaviour
- they may appear frightened or evasive
- there may be a person present who speaks on their behalf, or closes down the interaction
Remember not to use these ‘friend's’ or ‘family members’ as interpreters

For people outwith the UK
- still entitled to health services as any UK citizen
- they are entitled to free emergency care and ongoing acute service care
  - this is different to Wales and England
If they disclose trafficking:
- they are entitled to 90 days to have their case investigated
- during this time they have access to:
  - psychological support
  - practical support such as food and shelter
- at then end of the 90 day period a decision will be made on their right to remain in the country
  - they will be supported to return to their country if that is what they wish
Human Trafficking Services:
- MIGRANT HELP
- TARA - victims of human trafficking
There will be special arrangements for people under 18
- child-protection procedures to be followed
if they were forced into criminal acts as part of their trafficking then they will not be prosecuted
- the context of the act will be taken into consideration

if you are highly suspicious but they refuse to disclose:
- let them know what their options are and what services are available
- tell them what their entitlements are (they will have been told lies from their captors)
- tell them about the 90 day reflection period and they will be looked after during this time
they may choose to access then or at a later date.