Sentara to host education event on human trafficking

It’s a crime that is often under-reported, if at all.

That’s why Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center is hosting a seminar Tuesday, November 6, 2018, called “Hidden in Plain Sight: Education for the Community on Human Trafficking.”

Susan Bahorich spoke to the organizer of this can’t miss event.

What is your name and official title?

Rhonda Boyett, BSN, RN, CEN, SANE-A

Forensic Nursing Program Coordinator for SNVMC

What does that role entail?

As the program coordinator, I am part of multidisciplinary teams within our community that collaborate for the health and safety of our individual patients and the community at large. I am a liaison for our program to multiple community partners.

As a Forensic Nurse, I consult with patients that present to the Emergency Department that has been a victim of a violent crime. This looks different for different types of patients and crime. We provide victim and patient-centered care for each of our patients.

For example Sexual Assault patients, I may document a head-to-toe forensic medical exam (this may include using specialized equipment such as colposcopy with special filters, alternate light sources, toluidine blue dye application), collect and preserve evidence, work  with the police department, directly connect the patient with a victim advocate, discuss community resources, and help them with safety planning. When needed, I go to court and testify as an expert witness.

IF the patient is a competent adult victim of Human trafficking, they may be too scared to report to law enforcement, in which case I would provide healthcare to include emotional support and give them information and resources on safety planning and what to do when they are ready to report the situation to officials.

How did this Human Trafficking Seminar come about?

Human trafficking is one of the fastest growing criminal enterprises that our country is facing and there is a need to educate the general population on what it looks like within our community. This is Forensic Nurses Week (November 5-9^th) and I choose this topic to focus on because as a Forensic Nurse we are seeing more patients that are being trafficked.

In a survey of sex trafficked survivors, 88% of them said they had contact with a healthcare provider while they were being trafficked.

A lot of people may see this seminar and wonder if there’s really a problem. What would you say to those people?

Yes, this is happening within our community as we speak. Sex trafficking, labor trafficking, and domestic servitude.

“Hidden in Plain Sight” is the title of our presentation. Many people think that Human Trafficking victims are only those that are “locked/chained up” and operating in illegal underground industries, when in reality, it may be a teenage neighbor that is being forced to perform sex acts for someone that is threatening and/or intimidating the victim. In many situations, victims do not identify as victims because of fear, shame, or guilt.

There are a lot of young girls/women out there who are often preyed upon- what tips/advice would you offer them to keep themselves safe?

If anyone finds themselves in a vulnerable position where they feel threaten or forced into something they are not comfortable with, please confide in a trusted adult or contact the police directly.

For members of the public, how can they identify/realize that someone is being trafficked? How should they help in those situations?

Education is key to identifying potential victims!

For help or to report a concern or tip.

National Human Trafficking Hotline    

Call 1-888-373-7888 or TEXT – BE FREE (233733)      

(Never put yourself in harm’s way)

If people can walk away with one message about human trafficking- what do you want that to be?

I would like our community to become more educated on what Human Trafficking looks like in real life, so we can identify victims quicker and help get them out of “the life” and to a safer and healthier situation.

“Hidden in Plain Sight” will be presented by Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center’s Forensic Nursing Program November 6 from 6-8:30 at the Hylton Education Center, 2300 Opitz Boulevard, Woodbridge, Virginia 22191.

It’s free, open to the public and no RSVP is required