Saturday, October 31, 2015

Healthcare Response to Human Trafficking

The IW Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation Committee, UIW, and Visitation House were co-sponsors with the Alamo Area Coalition Against Trafficking of a heart wrenching workshop on October 20, 2015, in the Skyroom at UIW about the growing crisis of human trafficking. Speakers shared story after story of those who have suffered.  Almost 300 health care professionals attended and learned about the identification, assessment, and the diagnosis of trafficking victims, as well as, legal issues and available community resources.
Healthcare providers are often the first to encounter trafficking victims. In becoming familiar with the signs and symptoms of trafficking, medical professionals can collaborate in  community-wide effort to eradicate this unthinkable crime targeted towards the invisible and vulnerable in our midst.

Some of the speakers were Former Senator Leticia Van de Putte; Kirsta Melton, Office of the Attorney General; Shelley Botello, Methodist Specialty and Transplant Hospital; Laurie Charles, Children’s Hospital of San Antonio. Sr. Martha Ann Kirk opened the conference explaining the IW Sisters’ corporate stance, the interfaith movement focusing on trafficking and the story of St. Josephine Bahkita. Then she invited all to join in prayer. Sr. Teresa Stanley and Sr. Margaret Mary Bright attended, and Visitation House hosted a display. 

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