In April 2009, the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings came into force in the United Kingdom.1 The convention requires the state to provide minimum standards of care, including medical services, to all people identified as “trafficked.” Meeting the needs and protecting the safety of such people can be a challenge for doctors.

Human trafficking involves the movement of people by force, coercion, or deception into situations of exploitation.2 Trafficked persons are often subjected to physical violence, sexual abuse, psychological violence, and severe deprivation. Trafficking of women and girls for sexual exploitation receives the greatest attention, but men, women, and children are also trafficked and exploited in, for example, agriculture, construction, contract cleaning, and domestic service.3 Usually, trafficked persons agree to a job opportunity and are misled about their pay, work, conditions, or repayment obligations, and they find themselves in situations akin to “slavery.”4

Globally, about 2.5 million people are estimated to be in situations of forced labour as a result of trafficking,3 …