A 23-year-old woman attends with an unfamiliar man who insists on staying in the room throughout the visit. She avoids eye contact and seems uncomfortable answering questions. What is the most appropriate action for the clinician?

Signs of possible coercion or trafficking call for creating a safe, private opportunity (e.g., separating the patient under a clinical pretext) to assess, offer the trafficking helpline, and provide confidential help, without escalating dangerously in front of the companion.Other options: Allowing the companion to stay and waiting is unsafe; calling police immediately may endanger the patient; ignoring it abandons the duty to help. If the patient explicitly signals 'help,' involve authorities.Key exam takeaway: Suspected trafficking/coercion: separate the patient privately, offer the national trafficking helpline, and provide confidential support. Escalate to authorities if the patient asks for help.