than trying alone . Otherwise , the survivor is highly vulnerable to fall back into being trafficked .
Prevention How can you help to prevent human trafficking ? First educate yourself and then others on the problem of human trafficking , building awareness and sensitivity . Be clinically astute to possible victims you encounter — for example , that difficult , perhaps unusual , disturbing patient . You see things that don ’ t add up . Your clinical senses and intuition alarm you . Become involved in policy and victim advocacy , each county and state are unique . In Cuyahoga County in Ohio , the Collaborative to End Human Trafficking is a powerful force of over 60 organizations working together to prevent HT and support survivor recovery .
Consider the dangers of the internet and social media , especially for naïve youth . The most common portal into human trafficking , particularly the sex trade , is via social media . A progressive grooming process often occurs developing rapport under the guise of a helpful friend , luring the potential victim into a trap . Perpetrators are masterful at deception , progressively brainwashing the minds of vulnerable victims .
Training and Information Resources The following are a few important resources for more information and training for you and patients . Many others exist . Please check-out the following sites and become familiar with the pervasive pestilence of human trafficking and how you can help .
• National Human Trafficking Training and Technical Assistance Center ( NHTTAC ) ( https :// nhttac . acf . hhs . gov /) is a key federal government site with a broad and comprehensive overview of resources . The SOAR to Health and Wellness Training Program provides free training , many offering continuing education credits , to help you identify and respond to those who are or have been HT victims and connect them with the re sources they need . This may be the best general go-to site .
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration ( SAMHSA ) ( https :// www . samhsa . gov /) is another federal government site with a broad and comprehensive overview of substance abuse and mental health concerns , certainly relevant to victims and survivors of human trafficking .
• Enough is Enough ( https :// enough . org /) is a private non-profit organization that is the go-to site for internet and social media safety . The organization provides free comprehensive , consumer friendly education , guides , and presentations for professionals and families alike .
• Collaborative to End Human Trafficking ( https :// collabtoendht . org /) is a Northeast Ohio non-profit collective of more than 60 organizations ( healthcare , police / law , first responders , social services , faith-based ) working together in prevention , education , and support related to battling human trafficking . It is a powerful example of a successful regional collaboration .
• Renee Jones Empowerment Center ( http :// rjecempower . org /) is a Cleveland , Ohio based non-profit organization that focuses on the recovery of HT victims . The Center offers very inspiring history and programming , much of which is facilitated by recovering survivors helping other survivors ; it features a model example of recovery programming .
References Menschner C ., Maul A . ( 2016 ). Key Ingredients for Successful Trauma-Informed Care . Retrieved from https :// www . samhsa . gov / sites / default / files / programs _ campaigns / childrens _ mental _ health / atc-whitepaper-040616 . pdf
United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime ( UNODC ). ( 2022 ). Global Report on Trafficking in Persons . Retrieved from https :// www . unodc . org / unodc / en / data-and-analysis / glotip . html
Willliams CV . ( 2013 ). Human Trafficking is Modern Day Slavery . U . S . Administration for Children and Families . Retrieved from https :// www . acf . hhs . gov / archive / blog / 2013 / 02 / human-trafficking-modern-day-slavery
Gregory Knapik , PhD , DNP , is an associate professor at Notre Dame College , in South Euclid , Ohio .
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