UofL Health officials describe the warning signs of human trafficking during Derby

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — UofL Health officials are encouraging Louisville residents to stay aware of the warning signs of human trafficking as the Kentucky Derby approaches.

According to the Family and Children's Center, Derby is the second-largest event for human trafficking in the country. Vicki Yazel, Director of UofL Health's Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner (SAFE) and Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANE Services), said in a release Monday that large crowds are a major factor in this statistic.

"It’s like with any area that you overpopulate," Yazel said. "When you have hundreds of thousands of people come into the city like we do during this time, it is going to increase the opportunity for victimization."

UofL Health is a leading provider in sexual assault and domestic violence victim care with their SAFE and SANE services. Services are available 24/7 are are made up with nurse examiners specifically trained to handle sexual assault cases.

"If the individual comes into the hospital stating they were sexually assaulted, the SANE nurse is contacted and they’re brought to a private exam room," Yazel said. "They’re given options to have a forensic medical examination, we give them the option to report to law enforcement, we call someone from the Center of Women and Families and we can give them medications to help treat for any STIs."

Officials listed the following as signs to look out for:

Evidence of physical abuse (mostly to head, face, neck, hands, wrists)
Delayed presentation for medical care
Victim/survivor appears younger than reported age
Companion speaks for the patient/answers all questions
"Branding" or identifiers such as tattoos, burns or scars traffickers put on victims
Avoids eye contact
Appears malnourished

Human trafficking victims can be anyone, regardless of their age, sex, race or identity. However, data from the International Labour Organization does show 87% of sex trafficking victims were under 25, and 72% were women or girls.

Click here for more information on SAFE and SANE services.

The National Human Trafficking Hotline is available 24/7 at 888-373-7888.