An Open Door and a Helping Hand for Homeless Young People
April 12, 2016
“America is built on the notion that we are our brothers' and our sisters' keepers and that we all have certain obligations to one another.”
– President Obama, April 1, 2016
Sharon E. BarrettBy Sharon E. Barrett, DrPH, MS, Professor, Morgan State University School of Community Health and Policy
It’s April again and National Public Health Week was celebrated earlier this month. It’s a time to stop and reflect - if only for a moment. This year’s theme was Healthiest Nation, 2030.
As a public health professional and trainer on the awareness of human trafficking, I am often asked why I train on human trafficking. The answer is twofold: I teach to help others learn and our nation can’t be healthy while individuals are still being coerced, forced or held against their will and exploited for commercial sex or forced labor. No one has that right.
During the last two years, I assisted in the development of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ SOAR Training on Human Trafficking.* I also helped to pilot the training in several states. It is eye opening to stand in front of a diverse audience of health and human service providers to discuss human trafficking. As I share with them the ongoing physical, mental and psychological impact that this modern day slavery has on trafficked individuals, I continue to see participants experience what I call a three-phase learning journey.
Lessons Learned – A Three Phase Learning Journey
Phase 1: False Assumptions
At the beginning of a human trafficking training, body language and facial expressions of the training participants are often relaxed. It’s as if some are thinking, “I know what human trafficking is. I haven’t noticed anyone in my practice or clinic who has been trafficked. This doesn’t happen in my community.”
Phase 2: Disbelief and Panic
During this phase, generally after learning of the signs and symptoms common to a potentially trafficked individual and after hearing a survivor of sex or labor trafficking tell their unique story, the atmosphere has changed. Some participants have a panicked look on their face and their body language indicates stress. I can sense participants thinking questions such as:
- Can I identify and engage a person who potentially has been trafficked?
- Now that I know about human trafficking, what do I do and where do I begin?
- Who should I call?
- Are there any policies or protocols on how to help a potential victim?
- How can I build trust?
- How do I keep a safe environment for everyone?
Phase 3: “The Aha Moment”
In the last phase of the training, participants generally experience some type of an “Aha Moment.” They are now past the immediate shock of realizing how little they really know about sex and labor trafficking. They suddenly become energized and want to learn more. Feedback from participants generally includes:
- I didn’t realize the broad reach of human trafficking - this is a global public health issue.
- I think that I may have encountered individuals who have been trafficked. I need to review my case load again.
- I need to be alert for signs of human traffic and agree that “I have to look beneath the surface.”
- Are there other, more in depth trainings available focused specifically for my discipline?
So as I reflect on National Public Health Week and public health’s goal of protecting and assuring the health and safety of all individuals and their communities, I am encouraged by the work I am doing on behalf of individuals who are being trafficked.
Human trafficking awareness, policies and training have evolved over the last 15 years. Yet, our most vulnerable populations are still not safe. Our work is far from being finished to have the Healthiest Nation. I believe we should learn more in order to do more, and remember the words of Margaret Mead, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”
*Stop.Observe.Ask.Respond to Human Trafficking (SOAR) /programs/endtrafficking/initiatives/soar
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