Huntington, NY – With 88% of human trafficking survivors interfacing with the healthcare system without being identified as victims, Legislator William R. Spencer, M.D. has sponsored legislation to develop educational materials to aide healthcare professionals in recognizing victims of this modern day form of slavery.
Human Trafficking is a disturbing
issue that is typically thought of as happening somewhere else. However, according to recent reports, the percentage of potential labor trafficking cases in Suffolk County is more than double the national average. Through working with healthcare professionals, the goal of the legislation is to help intervene and provide effective services for victims.
Back in February, Legislator Spencer invited Dr. Paulus, who initiated a Human Trafficking Task Force in Huntington Hospital, to come to the Suffolk County Health Committee and present on the issue. Dr. Paulus stated, “The Huntington Hospital Human Trafficking Task force has begun rolling out its training program to emergency department and Dolan Family Health Center staff that will help them identify the victims and survivors of human trafficking. Now, through partnering with Suffolk County on this mission, we will further our reach.”
“In looking at ways we can make adifference, Dr. Paulus wisely recognized that if we train healthcare
professionals on the telltale signs of human trafficking, we can equip them tointervene and provide a path from victimhood to survival. There is an opportunity here to help make a tangible difference in people’s lives.” stated Legislator William R. Spencer, M.D.
“Victims of human trafficking are
completely isolated from society by their captors,” said bill cosponsorLegislator Kara Hahn. “Oftentimes, emergency
health professionals are the only people allowed by a captor to interact with avictim, so equipping them with information on human trafficking, ways to
identify it and the resources available for those affected will undoubtedlylead them to the help needed to break their enslavement.”
“Within three months of receiving the human trafficking training, I helped the Huntington Hospital Emergency Department identify three cases of human trafficking, stated Judy Richter, LMSW at Northwell Health.
The legislation received
unanimous support from the legislature at Tuesday’s General Meeting inHauppauge. The materials shall be developed and distributed within 180 days of
the effective date of the resolution.
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