Holly Austin Gibbs (above), who experienced trafficking firsthand, shared her story with session attendees. Austin Gibbs today is human trafficking response program director at Dignity Health.

What would you do if a human trafficking victim presented in your ED or clinic? What are your health care organization’s policies and procedures regarding suspected trafficking victims? What resources have you secured and aligned to help combat this growing issue? 

These and many other questions were discussed at HASC’s first Human Trafficking: Health Care’s Response to a Growing Issue on April 26 in Montebello.

Two trafficking survivors, both employed by Dignity Health’s Human Trafficking Response Program, shared their experiences navigating health care following their ordeals. Wendy Barnes opened the event by recounting her own harrowing story. Today, through her work with Dignity, Barnes explained that she can support the provider’s efforts to recognize and assist those who have been trafficked and present in the health care setting.

Reader note: A long version of this story, with information on the PEARR Tool and key steps health care workers can take to assist victims, is available by clicking here.

Trafficking survivor, and Dignity program director, Holly Austin Gibbs introduced participants to the provider’s victim-centered and trauma-informed approach to human trafficking. Austin Gibbs led a discussion on human trafficking case scenarios and how victims typically present in health care settings. It’s critical to provide victims a quiet room to help them feel safe, for example. Health care providers should “look beneath the surface and see people on the other side of their victimization,” Austin Gibbs added.

Other session panel members included Tauny Sexton, RN, senior director of emergency and trauma services at Dignity Health Marian Regional Medical Center, Anne Lemaire, administrator at Providence St. Joseph Health – San Pedro, and Iris Cruet-Rubio, director of trauma recovery center services at Southern California Crossroads.

For more information, including the latest on upcoming sessions, contact Karen Ochoa, HASC Education Manager, Human Resources Services.

Contact:
Karen Ochoa
(213) 538-0765
kochoa@hasc.org