Recognizing the Risk Factors, Signs, and Symptoms of Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking in Mental Health Clinical Practice.

The purpose of the current article is to educate psychiatric providers on domestic minor sex trafficking (DMST). Psychiatric providers (e.g., psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners, psychiatrists, physician assistants, therapists, case managers) interact with victims of sex trafficking but may fail to recognize the signs of victimization and the risk factors associated with becoming a victim of DMST. This educational article offers an overview of the definitions of sex trafficking, and the risk factors, prevalence, and health consequences of DMST. It also summarizes what is known about how those at-risk for DMST and DMST victims interact with the mental health care system. Mental health professionals provide a crucial point of contact with these populations and must strive to prevent, identify, and respond to DMST and at-risk youths. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 58(11), 21-28.].