Primary Care Perspectives: Sex-Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation of Youth: The CHOP Adolescent Protection Collaborative (APC) Clinic - Episode 137

Primary Care Perspectives: Podcast for Pediatricians

The Adolescent Protective Collaborative (APC) at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia is dedicated to providing a specialized medical home for youth who have experienced or are at high risk for sex trafficking. Primary care physicians can be partners in identifying and helping children who are victims. Guests Kali Hackett, MSW, MPH, a public health social worker and clinical services coordinator for the APC, Polina Krass, MD, a fellow in Emergency Medicine and co-founder of the APC, and Anish Raj, MD, a fellow in Child Abuse Pediatrics and co-founder of the APC, provide an overview and practical information, including: defining sex trafficking and commercial exploitation of children (CSEC); red flags in history, complaints, and physical exam; the effects of exploitation beyond reproductive health; an explanation of the Adolescent Protection Collaborative, including what a clinic visit entails for the child and how the team works with other community organizations; and what a primary care physician can do to identify and help victims, including detailed suggestions for how to have the initial conversation, how to ask questions, and what to do if the child confirms they are abused.