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"On behalf of the MyCatholicDoctor clinical staff, we want to sincerely thank you for this training. I received many comments about how useful the information was and how people had not been previously exposed to this kind of training. We are now working on an internal task force and policy."

                                        -- Kathleen Berchelmann

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"What an eye opener to hear some things that may be occurring all around us and right under our noses. I did a medical mission trip to the DR in 2018. A life changing experience and I knew exactly was meant about extreme levels of poverty. I recall a village of Haitians that were there on the promise of work and a better life and then their passports were taken, and they were forced into slave labor and lived in horrific conditions. And neither government cared. A lot of us came back in tears that day. I now feel more confident with some red flags to look for in a patient. Especially…about judging the girl with multiple abortions. As nurses we’re trained to immediately start assessing and 'judging' as soon as we lay eyes on a patient."

-- R.C., County College of Morris in Randolph NJ 

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"Growing up in sub–Saharan West Africa (Nigeria) brings back memories and untold stories of the underworld lucrative trade of human life and part to various parts of the world. The issue of human trafficking to me is as old as methuselah in the Bible and has roots and networks spread across the globe. Africa has always been a target due to low socioeconomic and poverty level ravaging the continent.  A well-established ethnic group in Nigeria called Benin empire…many families and mostly underage female are today being shipped off to Europe mostly Italy and Holland. They are made to sign contracts with the Madam or the agents with promise of jobs and a good life in exchange for a return of investment of a lump sum amount. Failure to comply will result in seizure of their travel document and the threat of mutilating members of their families back home. They are kept in very deplorable living…and there are stories of kidnapping babies and children from various parts of the country, these children end up being sold as child laborers across the world. These issues and more are still prevailing, and they are underreported by major news network and platforms.This issue of human trafficking is a global health crisis that requires urgent intervention. As a nurse, acknowledging this as a global crisis is the first necessary step. Then, creating more public awareness and a call for action in assisting people brave enough to break the ice and gaining their freedom, and protect them and their families from any future threats. Promote nursing education on human trafficking globally. Nurses have a roll to play in helping to identify victims of human trafficking and report to the proper authorities for proper investigation and follow up."

 -- S.U., County College of Morris in Randolph NJ

 

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"I was born and raised from the Philippines…[this training] made me remember of how the news of mutilated lifeless bodies left in creeks without their organs made headlines [organ trafficking], of women fresh out of high school hoping for better lives signed contracts as domestic helpers in the Middle East and turned out to be a sex trafficking ring, of children as young as two involved in syndicate organizations to pose as beggars and ask for money, and much more similar stories. It sounds horrifying to us, but at the same time, this is not the first time I have heard of it, which is heartbreaking. I want to be certified as a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner, and that means frequent encounters with victims of human trafficking. The training was a good introduction for the field…nurses have to treat (victims) with compassion because most come from vulnerable situations, with variations of different cultures, ethnicities, and environmental history. Assessing them not only for their chief complaints but also for their emotional and mental well-being is crucial. We are not tasked to save the world from human trafficking, but we are tasked to strive to help victims with their current predicaments… We want to help open their eyes to the reality that help is available to those who seek it, and as nurses, we can contribute to that."

-- M.P., County College of Morris in Randolph, NJ

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"The first time I encountered human trafficking was when I was working as an EMT for a Fire Department in an upper-middle class town that is mostly residential, and everything closes by 9 p.m. I always thought that the town was quiet, and not much was ever going on. However, I was quickly exposed to the atrocities that were being committed against primarily women at a local motel. Women were being “stored” there temporarily before being moved on and were often force-fed a cocktail of drugs intended to keep them just barely conscious. Only a few women were rescued. This experience made me realize that the effects of human trafficking are not just limited to lower class areas, and that everyone is vulnerable.

 

When it comes to the hospital setting, the prevalence of trafficked individuals is seriously underestimated. Nurses and doctors likely come into contact with victims often without even knowing it. This stresses the importance of reporting any suspicious activity that we observe in a purely objective manner."

-- R.S.W., County College of Morris in Randolph, NJ

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"This experience was enlightening and educational because it brought to the forefront the resources that are available to address these very unfortunate situations and how invested the various organizations are in their commitment to identifying, caring for, and eradicating human trafficking and supporting its victims."

​                                                    -- Paul Mungo, MSN, MSM/HS, RN, NE-BC

Chief Nursing Officer & Vice President

South Miami Hospital

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"It has been my honor and pleasure to work on this initiative. I could not think of a better cause to support and engage my staff as we work to better identify and care for potential human trafficking victims."

-- Nada Wakim, PhD, RN, NE-BC

AVP of Nursing & Case Management

South Miami Hospital

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"The week after our training a human trafficking survivor was identified in one of our system hospitals and because of the Community Session we completed we were able to provide her the support she needed."

-- Training Attendee, RWJBarnabas Health

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"Very well organized, moving and informative."

-- Training Attendee, Advocate Aurora Health

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"I loved the true stories. We connected with the speakers."

-- Training Attendee, Northwell Health

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"This training far exceeded my expectations!  I had no idea that human trafficking is as big as it is."

-- Training Attendee, Hackensack Meridian Health

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"Wow!  This was very eye opening.  I am profoundly impacted by the information that was shared."

-- Training Attendee, South Miami Hospital

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"Thank you to everyone for providing this education and especially to the survivors who had the courage to share their story so we could be educated."

-- Training Attendee, Advocate Aurora Health​​