Inaugural Medical Symposium
January 2019
Medical Student Coordinators





L to R: Austin Oberlin, Amy Hazzard, Jessica Chaoul, Alexandra Stiles, Meredith Mitchell, Rachel Shin, Anu Udayakumar, and John C. Rowe.Lore



2019 Medical Symposium
on Human Trafficking



Resources: Lecture videos and links





Understanding human trafficking as a public health issue



Despite the heroic efforts of law enforcement, human trafficking remains the fastest growing criminal enterprise in the world, second only to drug trafficking. We can no longer arrest our way out of this crime. The problem requires that we address root causes and implement preventative measures to protect people from being exploited in the first place. Guest speaker Makini Chisolm-Straker, MD will explain how a public health framework can foster a more robust multi-sector response, mobilize communities to take a stand, and inspire political will and social muscle to fight human trafficking. Ending human trafficking is achievable. But first we must know how to prevent it.


Watch Presentation (Youtube)
HEAL Trafficking

From awareness to engagement: where do we go from here?



Human trafficking is a crime that takes place in silence but has piercing impact. Ending human trafficking requires effective coordination of efforts at the national, state and local levels to protect the health and wellbeing of our nation. Melissa A. McMenemy, Statewide Facilitator, Office of the Attorney General, will share what Virginia is doing to stop this growing crime and protect its citizens.


Watch Presentation (Youtube)
Office of the Attorney General

Human trafficking: a process of violence, learn the health impacts



This crime is a multi-staged process of cumulative harm. If we talk about health issues first, it's easier to talk about human trafficking. Our guest speakers, Ron Chambers, MD, and Makini Chisolm-Straker, MD, MPH, will discuss the abuse, health risks, and potential health consequences associated with human trafficking. Learn why poor mental health is perhaps the most dominant health dimension of victims and survivors of human trafficking resulting from ongoing abuse, control and violence.


Watch Presentation (Youtube)
Dignity Health

RICHMOND, A SLAVE-FREE CITY: CONNECTING THE DOTS



Monti N. Datta, PhD Associate Professor, Department of Political Science, University of Richmond, will build a case for how increased historical literacy can support the remaking of the Capital of the Confederacy as an anti-slavery city, and through this example suggest, even encourage, other such investigations and considerations in other urban locations.


Watch Presentation (Youtube)

Screening for Human trafficking in the healthcare setting



Recent studies show that 9 out of 10 victims interface with a health care provider while they are being trafficked. The clinic visit can therefore be a unique opportunity for providers to help a victim into the social safety net. The AHTST screening tool provides ways in which you can use a conversational screening session to effectively identify people who may have been trafficked and those vulnerable to trafficking. Our speaker will familiarize attendees with the eight screening questions and how to deliver them in a trauma-informed way. Learn why our role is not to seek disclosure nor "to rescue" but to empower the individual to leave on their own reserve. Our speakers, Survivor expert Tanya Street and Makini Chisolm-Straker, MD, and will teach attendees how to offer the patient as much control as possible BEFORE the screening in order to foster a sense of safety and trust.


Watch Presentation (Youtube)

A Mothers Story of trafficking: Why Education is essential to prevention



Listen to one family's story of their daughter's experience with human trafficking. They know first hand why education in schools is essential for primary prevention of human trafficking. The Just Ask Prevention Project works to educate our youth and adults about the signs of human trafficking to keep our teenagers safe. We know that a well informed public will decrease the ability of trackers to operate, and inspire victims and survivors to come forward and Just Ask for help.


Watch Presentation (Youtube)
JustAskPrevention.org


HEALTH CONSEQUENCES OF TRAFFICKING ON YOUTH



The sex and labor trafficking of youth in the United States is the most overlooked, misunderstood, and unaddressed form of child abuse in our country today, often resulting in immediate and long-term physical, mental, and emotional harm. Because youth rarely disclose their victimization, health care providers often fail to identify these youth, resulting in missed opportunities to help youth exit their exploitation and access the social safety net. Our speaker, Robin Foster, MD, will raise awareness of these opportunities so that providers will be better equipped to fulfill their important role in preventing, recognizing, and responding to minor victims of trafficking in their care.


Watch Presentation (Youtube)

GEAR UP! THE NEW ICD-10 CODES ON HUMAN TRAFFICKING ARE HERE



The Center for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics has released the first ICD-10-CM codes for classifying human trafficking abuse. VCU's 4th year medical student, Austin Oberlin, will explain how these codes squarely define human trafficking as a primary form of abuse and will help physicians think about trafficking as part of their medical differentials.


Watch Presentation (Youtube)
ICD-10 Code Resources

ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS WHEN CARING FOR THE TRAFFICKED PATIENT



The overarching goal of the clinical encounter is not rescue or patient disclosure but rather, improving health and safety. As mandated reporters, what are some of the ethical dilemmas faced by health professionals when identifying and providing care to trafficked persons? Applying the bioethical principles of respect for autonomy, non-maleficence, beneficence, and justice, this lecture, led by Fidelma Rigby, MD, considers the ethics of care model as a trauma-informed framework for providing health care to human trafficking victims and survivors.


Watch Presentation (Youtube)
AMA Journal of Ethics

Human Trafficking Survivors: Empathy and attribution of blame



Why do victims of minor sex trafficking sometimes receive sympathy for their suffering and at other times scorn and blame? VCU medical students, Rachel Shin (M4) and Austin Oberlin (M4), are examining awareness and perceived similarity to a victim as factors that influence attributions of blame towards victims of sex trafficking. Potential implications and directions for future research will be discussed. Expand their research efforts by attending this session and sharing your thoughts on the topic.


Watch Presentation (Youtube)

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS: CARE OF THE TRAFFICKED PATIENT IN THE OBSTETRICAL SETTING



More than 1:4 women become pregnant while trafficked. Having children or being pregnant adds an extra layer of vulnerability for people who have been trafficked because pregnancy can be used as a control tactic to keep victims emotionally bound and reliant on their trafficker for their needs and their child's needs. For women who are pregnant because of rape, their child may be a constant reminder of their past exploitation. Additionally, these women no doubt are at higher-risk for postpartum depression which is the leading complication of child birth. Guest speakers Janet Abraham, MSW, and Deanna Wallace, HSI, DHS, will explore the special needs of trafficked women in the obstetrical setting vis-a-vis the trafficking backdrop of prolonged, repetitive and unpredictable physical and psychological violence that victims suffer at the hands of their exploiter.


Watch Presentation (Youtube)

FAMILY CONTROLLED SEX TRAFFICKING: A SURVIVOR SPEAKS



Familial trafficking is perhaps one of the most difficult types of domestic minor sex trafficking to detect. Often a ‘family business’, trafficking is a culture within the family that is passed down from generation to generation and disguised in a cloak of normalcy. Elisabeth Corey, MSW, Survivor Expert, will share her story of survival and recovery, and what she is doing to help survivors understand their memories, heal from their trauma, reclaim their lives, and move forward in hope.


Watch Presentation (Youtube)
Beating Trauma Blog

A SURVIVOR SPEAKS: UNDERSTANDING TRAUMA & TRAUMA-INFORMED CARE



The most dominant health dimension in trafficking cases is poor mental health because of the profound psychological damage caused by prolonged trauma and somatic complaints that frequently translate into disabling lifelong physical pain or dysfunction. Additionally, victims may have undergone complex, chronic trauma for weeks, months, or years (often during key developmental time frames) prior to being seen by the clinician. Our guest speaker, Elisabeth Corey, MSW, Survivor Expert, will explain why meeting the health needs of trauma survivors requires a victim-centered, trauma-informed approach that places control and choice for the clinical encounter under the patient’s discretion. This approach will give the survivor the stabilization they need and aid in their healing / recovery.


Watch Presentation (Youtube)

SEX, LIES & BETRAYAL: GANG CULTURE AND SEX TRAFFICKING



According to law enforcement, gangs are turning to sex trafficking as a major source of revenue since it is more lucrative and less risky than drug trafficking. 12 to 14-year-old girls are the sex trafficking targets sought by street gangs. These girls aren’t runaways or from another country, they’re from local communities and could be the girl next door or possibly one’s own daughter. Our guest speaker, Deepa Patel, LCSW, will educate on the tactics gangs use to grow their criminal enterprise which includes using homemade music videos and social media and to lure their young victims. Learn how you can help protect youth from gang exploitation in a thriving sex trafficking industry.


Watch Presentation (Youtube)
Trauma and Hope

I'VE IDENTIFIED A VICTIM OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING IN THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT. NOW WHAT DO I DO?



Studies have shown that between 28-88% of victims of human trafficking seek medical care during the time when they are being trafficked; and that the ED is the #1 venue where victims seek care. Conversely, only 5% of ED physicians feel comfortable identifying and treating possible victims of human trafficking. This is a serious public health crisis because victims are losing the chance to access the social safety net. Shelly Brown, RN MSN, will teach attendees how to sensitively screen for trafficking, to assist victims, and to make referrals using patient-centered, trauma-informed approaches.


Watch Presentation (Youtube)

LIFE AFTER HUMAN TRAFFICKING: A SURVIVOR SPEAKS



"I am more than that story. I live with the fact that I am a survivor accepting the pain and tragedy of my past, healing in my present and anticipating the joy of life as it continues to unfold." Tanya Street, Survivor Expert, works tirelessly to make sure every victim and survivor of human trafficking has this opportunity. Learn why.


Watch Presentation (Youtube)
Identifiable Me Blog

UNDERSTANDING THE ROLE OF DEMAND IN SEX TRAFFICKING



Human sex and labor trafficking follows the economic principles of supply and demand. Traffickers are in the trade of selling people because there is an insatiable demand for cheap labor and commercial sex. Purchasers of both illegal labor and sex, in turn, fuel the demand with their money and keep the traffickers in business. This presentation will focus on the demand for illicit sex. The Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act 2015 (JVTA) squarely recognizes both the trafficker and the buyer "equally culpable" in sex trafficking offenses. Yet our culture does not focus on the buyers and current laws have essentially created a culture of immunity for them. Who are these buyers? Why do they purchase even knowing it is a criminal act? Do they deserve a second chance? Our guest speaker, Leslie Rubio, will attempt to address these questions in regards to sex trafficking.


Watch Presentation (Youtube)
Human Equal Rights (H.E.R.) Radio

THE CLINIC VISIT AS "SAFE SPACE"



Victims and survivors of human trafficking often-times suffer from complex trauma which can make the medical encounter delicate and challenging, even potentially harmful if the assessment is not conducted in a trauma-informed manner. Victim centered care reduces re-traumatization by placing control and choice for the clinical encounter under the patient’s discretion. Christina Jennings, WHNP-BC, MSN, MS Health Education, will teach you how to build rapport to give your patients a feeling of safety during the clinic visit.


Watch Presentation (Youtube)

TRAINING ON COMMERCIAL SEXUAL EXPLOITATION (CSE)



The Latisha’s House, a 501 (C) 3, is a long-term residence that provides a safe, residential home for young women who are victims of human sex trafficking and sexual exploitation. At any given time, the residence houses five to seven women. They’ve put three women through college to earn four-year degrees since opening in 2014. The foundation provides medical care, dental care, and teaches social skills. The overriding mission is to assist women survivors and restore their lives to wholeness by providing long term housing, educational support, assistance in recovery from substance abuse, trauma based counseling, medical intervention, structure, guidance, life-skills and job training. In conjunction with more than 25 community partners, Latisha’s House is committed to increasing the opportunities for these female survivors to holistically build new lives with dignity, purpose, value, independence and free choice.


Watch Presentation (Youtube)
Latisha's House

SIMULATION-BASED MEDICAL EDUCATION ON HUMAN TRAFFICKING



Simulation is an important methodology in bridging the gap between theory and practice in medical education. Simulation-based medical education (SBME) provides a structured, learner-centered environment in which novice, intermediate, and advanced practitioners can learn or practice skills without causing harm to patients. This session will introduce SBME that focuses on individual skills training for a physician interacting with a survivor of human trafficking based on the stages of change. VCU medical student Jessica Chaoul, who designed the program, will lead the presentation with VCU medical students Anu Udayakumar and Amy Hazzard.


Watch Presentation (Youtube)

MOTIVATIONAL INTERVIEWING: AN EMPOWERMENT TOOL



Motivational Interviewing involves guiding more than directing. The overall "spirit" has been described as collaborative, evocative, and honoring of patient autonomy. This technique is critically important when working with victims of human trafficking because most, if not all, suffer from Complex Trauma. Shared decision-making is essential to help the patient feel safe, validated and less isolated. Survivors in focus groups strongly support an empowerment approach, stressing that protocols and assessments should NOT be exclusively focused on prompting victim disclosure or immediate removal from the trafficking situation. Rather, the overarching goal of the visit is to care for the immediate health needs of the patient and providing them with the resources and tools necessary to help them successfully leave their trafficker with their own reserve. Rashelle Hayes, PhD, and Melissa Bradner, MD, MSHA explain why Motivational Interviewing techniques can help create an environment of empowerment where patients feel appreciated for their voice, resiliency, and strength.


Watch Presentation (Youtube)

THE INTERSECTION OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND YOUTH HOMELESSNESS IN THE U.S.



Homeless youth are disproportionately affected by human trafficking. The Modern Slavery Research Project at Loyola University New Orleans interview over 600 homeless youth about their experiences of labor and sex trafficking, and their findings suggest that as many as one in five homeless youth are trafficked in their lifetimes. Laura Murphy, PhD, will present her findings and a four-prong plan for responding to this issue based on the youth's recommendations. This link is to the same talk given by Dr. Murphy on a HEAL Trafficking webinar.


Watch Presentation (Youtube)
Modern Slavery Research Project

PREVENTING AND ENDING YOUTH HOMELESSNESS IN RICHMOND, VIRGINIA



The Richmond Youth Count is a survey that is part of a national effort to be able to better understand youth homelessness. Youth Counts are being done all over the country to help communities better understand how many young people are experiencing homelessness or unstable housing, and to get information about what their needs are. The first Youth Count ever to be conducted in Richmond was done by Advocates for Richmond Youth in March 2016! We believe the Richmond Youth Count helps us to gain important resources for young people in our city, and helped us to bring people together to tackle this issue as a community. This discussion will be led by Alex Wagaman, PhD, and her team of youth advocates.


Watch Presentation (Youtube)
Richmond Youth Count

DECONSTRUCTING TRAUMA



The physical and psychological violence experienced by victims of sex trafficking results in profound traumatic symptoms that are long-lasting and far-reaching. A survivor may experience these symptoms immediately or later in life, or may never experience any of them. Every survivor responds differently. Our guest speaker, Dawn Chillon, PhD, will 1) help attendees understand the mindset of a highly traumatized victim of sexual violence, 2) illustrate how trauma can run their lives and lead to automatic behaviors that make things worse, 3) differentiate between a normal behavioral response and a traumatic stress response, 4) teach attendees how to reframe problem behaviors in the context of trauma, and 5) help attendees understand why there is no such thing as a child or teen prostitute.


Watch Presentation (Youtube)
Attachment and Trauma Institute

Celebration of Survivor Strength and resilience (latisha's house)



Watch performances, see artwork and hear from Human Trafficking Survivor advocates as we celebrate the end of the 1st Annual Medical Symposium on Human Trafficking at the VCU School of Medicine. We are inspired by the strength and resilience of survivors to continue to do the work that we do.


Watch Presentation (Youtube)
Latisha's House

Blue Heart is the International Symbol against Human Trafficking
Join Our Grassroots all-Volunteer Organization
ImPACT Virginia is also known as People Against Child Trafficking in American Schools
TAX ID #47-3931846 We are a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization