Mass. Gen. Hospital takes global lead with Human Trafficking Initiative

Although often under-reported, human trafficking is a serious public health problem. Nearly 21 million people worldwide are victims of forced labor and sexual exploitation. In the U.S., the problem persists under the guise of labor trafficking, domestic servitude, and sex slavery. Survivors of other forms of human trafficking, such as child soldiering and organ trafficking, also come to the U.S. as either immigrants or asylum seekers. To address the growing phenomenon, the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) founded the Human Trafficking Initiative in 2008. It also launched the MGH Freedom Clinic, a ground-breaking program that provides comprehensive treatment for traumatized victims and survivors.

Dr. Wendy Macias-Konstantopoulos teaches emergency medicine at Harvard Medical School, and was instrumental in founding the MGH Human Trafficking Initiative. The program is housed in the MGH Emergency Department's Division of Global Health & Human Rights. The ever-busy physician wears several hats as Director of the MGH Human Trafficking Initiative, as well as Chief Medical and Executive Director of the MGH Freedom Clinic, its cornerstone program.