Oloture : Healthcare Professionals' Call to Action To Combat Human Trafficking in Nigeria

I recently watched the new series Oloture, The Journey, a continuation of the movie released five years ago. This series brought to light the dark realities of human trafficking, which I once thought were mere hearsay.

The movie showed how these vulnerable women are exploited mostly due to a lack of resources and desperation to relocate abroad for greener pastures, without fully comprehending what the journey will entail and what they would have to sacrifice—their bodies and dignity—where the cost of care is added to their debt burden.

Understanding Human Trafficking

Human trafficking is defined as the recruitment, transportation, harboring, and control of a person using force and other methods of coercion with the aim to exploit them through prostitution, forced labor, forced marriage, indentured servitude, and even the removal and sale of human organs. It is a severe form of modern slavery, affecting millions of people globally who are vulnerable due to poverty, war, political instability, natural disasters, unemployment, and gender inequality.

Human Trafficking in Nigeria

Statistics in Nigeria

Nigeria is a major source, transit, and destination country for human trafficking. According to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), thousands of Nigerians are trafficked each year for sexual exploitation, forced labor, and other forms of exploitation. The US State Department's 2020 Trafficking in Persons Report places Nigeria on the Tier 2 Watchlist, indicating that while efforts have been made to combat trafficking, significant challenges remain.

Who Can Be Charged with Human Trafficking?

Under Nigerian law, any individual involved in the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring, or receipt of persons for the purpose of exploitation can be charged with human trafficking. This includes recruiters, transporters, harborers, employers, and those who facilitate or profit from the exploitation of trafficked persons.

Role of Healthcare Professionals

As healthcare professionals, we can play a vital role in identifying and supporting survivors of human trafficking. We are uniquely positioned to recognize signs of trafficking due to our interactions with patients and the trust they often place in us. The question isn't whether it's a priority, but how we can make it one. Healthcare settings are critical points of contact where victims can be identified and assisted.

Identifying Victims

Victims of human trafficking often require medical attention, making healthcare professionals crucial in the early identification and intervention. Key indicators to look for include:

• Local and Regular Customers: Be attentive to individuals who frequent the facility regularly without a clear reason or seem overly controlled by someone else.

• Language Barriers: Victims may not speak the local language or may defer to someone else to speak for them.

• Affiliations: Be aware of family members or peers who appear to be affiliated with gangs or criminal organizations.

• Runaways and Homelessness: Individuals who are runaways or experiencing homelessness are particularly vulnerable.

• History of Abuse: Look for signs of physical or sexual abuse, as victims often have such histories.

• Addiction: Note any indications of addiction within the home, as traffickers often use substances to control their victims.

Responding Appropriately

When a potential victim is identified, healthcare professionals should:

• Offer Free Consultations: Ensure that victims know they can consult for free, removing financial barriers to seeking help.

• Maintain Anonymity: Respect the privacy of victims by allowing them to remain anonymous if they choose.

• Provide Confidential Appointments: Victims should not require an appointment to seek help; walk-in options should be available.

• Create a Safe Environment: Develop a protocol to provide a safe, non-threatening environment where victims can speak freely.

• Referral to Support Services: Establish connections with local support services, such as NAPTIP and NGOs, to offer comprehensive care and legal assistance.

How to Respond Appropriately

When responding to potential victims, it's crucial to approach with sensitivity and care:

1. Listen and Observe: Pay attention to the patient’s words, behavior, and physical condition.

2. Ask Open-Ended Questions: Gently inquire about their living and working conditions, avoiding direct questions that might cause alarm.

3. Ensure Privacy: Speak to the individual alone whenever possible to ensure they can talk without fear of reprisal.

4. Offer Resources: Provide information on local support services and explain their rights and options.

5. Document Findings: Keep detailed records of observations and interactions while maintaining confidentiality.

6. Report Safely: Follow your institution's protocol for reporting suspected trafficking, ensuring the safety and consent of the victim as much as possible.

Recommended Policies

Drawing inspiration from global success stories, here are key steps to empower them in this fight:

1. Awareness and Education In Thailand, comprehensive training programs have educated healthcare professionals on recognizing trafficking signs, leading to a significant increase in victim identification. Pharmacists and healthcare workers should be similarly trained to spot both physical and psychological indicators of trafficking.

2. Identification and Support In the U.S., implementing screening protocols in healthcare settings has enabled early identification of trafficking victims. Healthcare professionals in Nigeria can also adopt similar protocols, including confidential questionnaires and private consultations, to uncover and support victims discreetly.

3. Collaboration and Networking In the Netherlands, interdisciplinary teams comprising healthcare professionals, social workers, and law enforcement have proven effective.

4. Patient-Centered Care Trauma-informed care in healthcare settings has been pivotal in Canada, where it has helped build trust with trafficking survivors. Training Nigerian healthcare professionals in this approach can encourage victims to seek and accept help.

5. Legal and Ethical Considerations Adhering to strict confidentiality and ethical guidelines, as practiced in the UK, is crucial. Providing legal support to victims helps them navigate the justice system and seek protection.

Some Resources in Nigeria

For those in Nigeria, several organizations are actively working to combat human trafficking and provide support to victims:

• NAPTIP (National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons): This government agency offers rescue, rehabilitation, and reintegration services for trafficking victims.

• WOTCLEF (Women Trafficking and Child Labour Eradication Foundation): Founded by Amina Titi Atiku Abubakar, WOTCLEF provides shelter, counseling, and vocational training for victims.

• Women Consortium of Nigeria (WOCON): This NGO is dedicated to the enforcement of women and children’s rights and provides support services for trafficking victims. Run by Nigerian religious women, this project offers shelter and rehabilitation services for trafficking survivors, helping them rebuild their self-esteem and acquire skills for independent living.

Pharmacists and healthcare professionals in Nigeria can significantly impact the fight against human trafficking by adopting these recommendations. By learning from global success stories and utilizing local resources, we can work towards a future where every individual is free from exploitation and injustice.