Skin Signs of Human Trafficking: Intervention & Prevention
Date of Original Release: September 30, 2026
Date of Expiration: September 30, 2029
Estimated Time of Completion: 5 hours
Target Audience
Dermatologists and others involved in the delivery of care.
Statement of Need
Human trafficking is a pervasive and often hidden crime that affects individuals of all ages, genders, and backgrounds. Victims frequently interact with professionals in healthcare, education, social services, hospitality, transportation, law enforcement, and other community settings, yet the indicators of trafficking often go unrecognized. Without proper training, opportunities to identify victims, intervene safely, and connect individuals with appropriate resources may be missed.
An accessible, on-demand course on recognizing the signs and symptoms of human trafficking addresses this critical knowledge gap by providing learners with the flexibility to complete training at their own pace while ensuring consistent, high-quality instruction.
Sensitive Content Advisory
This course addresses the serious and sensitive topic of human trafficking, including the exploitation and abuse of individuals. Course content includes survivor testimony and descriptions of trafficking situations, coercion, violence, sexual exploitation, and other forms of abuse that some learners may find distressing or emotionally challenging.
Please engage with the material at your own pace and take breaks as needed. If the content becomes overwhelming, you are encouraged to pause the course and seek appropriate support.
Learning Objectives
Following participation in this activity, the learner should be able to:
- Recognize skin signs of human trafficking
- Describe local and national human trafficking resources
- Navigate and document an encounter with suspected victims of trafficking using a trauma-informed approach.
- Describe the lived experiences and challenges of human trafficking survivors
- Recognize the importance of responding to trafficking situations with empathy, compassion, and a trauma-informed approach.
Accreditation Statement
The American Academy of Dermatology is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
AMA PRA Credit Statement
The American Academy of Dermatology designates this Enduring Material for a maximum of 5 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditTM. Physicians should only claim the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Instructions to Claim Credit
To claim CME credit for this activity, the learner must complete the post test and achieve a minimum passing score of 70% and complete the post-activity evaluation survey.
Planners
A. Shadi Kourosh, MD, MPH, FAAD
Associate Professor of Dermatology
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center & Harvard Medical School
Boston, Massachusetts
Laura J. Lederer, JD
President
Global Centurion Foundation
Clifton, Virginia
Reviewer
Megan Cronin, MD, FAAD
Cronin Skin Cancer Center
Melbourne, Florida
Faculty
Katherine Chon
Director
Office of Trafficking in Persons, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Washington, District of Columbia
Amy Cornelius
Founder and Director, Sidewalk Soldiers
Miami Valley, Ohio
Charles Dunn, MD, FAAD
Advanced Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery
Port Orange, Florida
Jerome Elam
President & CEO
Trafficking in America Task Force
New York, New York
Amanda Grovner
Journalist and Author
Member, State of Georgia Human Trafficking Task Force
Brunswick, Georgia
Abigail M. Judge, PhD
Founder, Boston Human Exploitation Advocacy Team (HEAT)
Massachusetts General Hospital
Instructor, Harvard Medical School
Boston, Massachusetts
A. Shadi Kourosh, MD, MPH, FAAD
Associate Professor of Dermatology
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center & Harvard Medical School
Boston, Massachusetts
Laura J. Lederer, JD
President
Global Centurion Foundation
Clifton, Virginia
Eryn Patin, BS
Medical Student, University of Texas Southwestern
Clinical and Research Fellow
Dermatology Division of Community Health
Massachusetts General Hospital
Harvard Medical School
Dallas, Texas
Staff
Christine Presta
Director, Digital Learning
Rosemont, Illinois
Janet Chester
Senior Manager, Digital Learning
Rosemont, Illinois
Dustin Herlich
Senior Manager, Learning Experience
Rosemont, Illinois
Blanca Torres Olave, PhD
Senior Instructional Designer
Rosemont, Illinois
Melinda Keske
Senior Administrator, Learning Management
Rosemont, Illinois
Emma Boyke
Specialist, Digital Learning
Rosemont, Illinois
Chelsey Crile
Medical Illustrator
Oskaloosa, Iowa
Disclosures
All planners, speakers, reviewers, and staff for this activity reported they have no relevant relationship(s) with commercial interest(s).
Conflict Mitigation Statement
In accordance with the ACCME Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education, the American Academy of Dermatology has implemented mechanisms, prior to the planning implementation of this activity, to identify and mitigate conflicts of interest for all individuals in a position to control the content.
Commercial Support
This activity is supported by an educational grant from Candela Corporation.
Unapproved Use Disclosure
The American Academy of Dermatology requires CME faculty/authors to disclose to learners when products or procedures are being discussed are off-label (not approved for the indications being discussed), unlabeled (not approved for any indications), experimental and/or investigational (not FDA approved); and any limitations on the information that is presented, such as data that are preliminary or that represent ongoing research, interim analyses, and/or unsupported opinion. This information is intended solely for continuing medical education and is not intended to promote off-label use of these products/procedures. If you have questions, contact the medical affairs department of the manufacturer for the most recent approval information. Faculty/authors of this activity may be discussing information about pharmaceutical agents that is outside of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved labeling.
Disclaimer
The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) is not responsible for statements made by the author(s). Statements or opinions expressed in this activity reflect the views of the author(s) and do not reflect the official policy of the AAD. The information provided in this CME activity is for continuing education purposes only, is not intended to establish a standard of care, and is not meant to substitute for independent medical judgment of a health provider relative to the diagnostic, management and treatment options of a specific patient’s medical condition.
No Medical Advice
The information in this publication by the American Academy of Dermatology or any third party should not be considered medical advice and is not intended to replace consultation with a qualified dermatology professional. The American Academy of Dermatology does not answer specific medical questions or refer people to a particular dermatology professional.
Contact Information
For the American Academy of Dermatology Member Resource Center, please call (866) 503-7546.