An Alabama-tailored human trafficking response protocol within the Community, Advocacy, Law, and Medicine framework:...

Human trafficking is a major public health and human rights concern associated with high rates of psychiatric disorders, substance use disorders, chronic medical illness, and ongoing exposure to trauma. Patients frequently encounter healthcare systems while still experiencing exploitation, yet trafficking often goes unrecognized. Healthcare professionals are uniquely positioned to identify trafficking and facilitate access to recovery-oriented services. This manuscript describes the development and content of a trauma-informed healthcare response protocol designed to guide Alabama clinicians in identifying and supporting survivors of human trafficking. The protocol was developed through interdisciplinary collaboration among experts in psychiatry, psychology, emergency medicine, pediatrics, social work, and law, alongside engagement with community-based anti-trafficking organizations. It integrates national best-practice guidance with state-specific legal requirements and resource networks to support clinicians in responding to suspected trafficking in a trauma-informed and legally informed manner. Key components of the protocol include identification of clinical indicators of labor and sex trafficking, trauma-informed interviewing practices, structured screening and assessment approaches, safety planning strategies, and multidisciplinary referral pathways involving social work, psychiatric services, legal advocates, and community partners. The protocol also provides guidance regarding trauma-informed documentation practices, medical record safety considerations, and mandatory reporting requirements under Alabama law. Although developed within a specific legal and healthcare context, the protocol illustrates the importance of integrating local laws, institutional practices, and resource networks into trafficking-response frameworks. Its core principles of trauma-informed screening, multidisciplinary collaboration, and medical-legal coordination may be broadly adaptable across healthcare systems.