Human Trafficking. Position Statement

It is the position of the National Association of School Nurses (NASN) that prevention, early identification, and intercession on behalf of the child/youth beset by human trafficking are essential to the student's psychological and physical well-being, as well as academic success. The registered professional school nurse (hereinafter referred to as school nurse), utilizing astute clinical skills, is well-positioned to recognize signs and symptoms exhibited by a child/youth ensnared within the grooming/human trafficking process. Working in partnership with the school community, law enforcement, child protective services, community-based providers and social services, the school nurse serves a pivotal role by increasing public awareness of human trafficking and assisting with developing protocols for intervention. This document provides the background and rationale for NASN's position on human trafficking. [This position statement replaces the position brief titled "Human Trafficking: Implications for 21st Century School Nurses."]