Ascencion Via Christi Director of Care Management Jennifer Jones (left) and Human Trafficking Program Manager Nicole Ensminger. (Brandon Peoples/KMAN)
Human trafficking awareness training took place Tuesday for dozens of health care workers at Manhattan’s Ascension Via Christi hospital.
The goal of the training was to educate and inform officials at all department levels what to look for when caring for an individual who may be a victim. Human Trafficking Program Manager Nicole Ensminger says these are unique cases where an individual is being controlled by another person who is using vulnerabilities, such as drug addictions as leverage.
Ensminger says classic warning signs would be similar to abuse victims, and might including visible physical injuries and control indicators in addition to other red flags.
Jennifer Jones is the Director of Care Management at Ascension Via Christi in Manhattan. She says it’s important that hospital officials do everything in their power to get those victims the resources they need.
A total of 95 human trafficking cases were reported in Kansas in 2018, according to the National Human Trafficking Hotline. Cities near military bases, highways, strip clubs, truck stops or with drug problems in the community are vulnerable areas where trafficking occurs. Areas where kids are in and out of foster care are also prime targets for traffickers. In terms of sex trafficking and labor trafficking, Ensminger says both are happening in the United States and in Kansas. Sex trafficking is more prevalent.
While no two victims are exactly alike, Jones says one thing they try to do is build a rapport with patients who may be victims. Getting them to open up to health care officials is essential.
Tuesday’s training included mock scenarios that were played out. Ensminger adds that in order to care for these patients effectively, community collaboration with other agencies is key.
More than 70 hospital officials from every department at Ascension Via Christi took part in the training seminar Tuesday.
The post Human trafficking awareness highlighted during training event at Ascension Via Christi appeared first on News Radio KMAN.
