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Health Matters: Providence St. Mary Medical Center | 9 That's where Providence St. Mary Medical Center steps in to offer help. As part of the hospital's commitment to serve the vulnerable, every caregiver receives education on human trafficking. "It doesn't matter what department you're in, all of us—whoever has contact with a patient—are trained to identify victims and help them seek the resources they need," says Joyce Danega, a clinical educator at St. Mary. "They 're going through trauma, but we can provide them with assistance in a protected setting." That assistance is greatly needed, too. According to the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department, 67 human-trafficking- related arrests were made in 2022, with 40 victims rescued. These are numbers that could rise this year. In January alone, the county 's Human Trafficking Task Force arrested 21 suspects and rescued 14 victims. HELPING THE PUBLIC UNDERSTAND THE PROBLEM Danega co-organized a recent Providence St. Mary symposium called "Human Trafficking and Health Care." Participants learned how to identify victims and the resources that are available locally. The event was open to the public and featured speakers from local outreach programs, including Bernadette Valdez of Open Door, a nonprofit that supports and empowers victims and survivors of human trafficking. San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department deputy Justine Sanchez also spoke about the growing problem in the High Desert and how important it is for residents to recognize the signs of trafficking. One of the most common places caregivers encounter sex-trafficking victims is the emergency department. "When they come to the ER, it's our job to create a safe environment so they feel like they can open up to us. Until that point, they must come to us and ask for the help," says Danega. Often, though, the victim is with the person who's controlling them, and it's difficult to speak up because they 're afraid of the consequences. So how do Providence St. Mary caregivers separate victims from their controllers in order to provide the necessary care? Danega explains, "We, as nurses, are trained to do that in a way that doesn't get the victim in trouble." Regardless of the area of the hospital in which a patient is being seen, the caregivers at Providence St. Mary work together as a team. If a patient shows signs of trafficking, that information is shared among all of them. Moreover, the caregiver treating the victim will offer information and phone numbers of safe places to stay. They can also connect victims with social services, social workers and case managers. This collaborative effort by the staff at Providence St. Mary is one that reflects the very nature of their service. It is part of the Providence Promise to care for patients and ease their way. Danega expresses it beautifully when she says, "We're all human. We all experience shared compassion in the hospital setting, and we want to provide these patients with help, hope and the dignity they deserve." Call 909-387-8400 to report activities or concerns related to human trafficking in San Bernardino County. You may also call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 888-373-7888. Call WeTip at 800-782-7463 to report a crime anonymously. SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY, 2022 67 arrests 40 rescued victims 39 female adults 1 juvenile female Source: San Bernardino County Sheriff's Dept. CALIFORNIA CASES, 2021 1,334 cases identified 2,122 victims in these cases (a case can involve multiple victims) NATIONWIDE CASES, 2021 10,360 cases identified 16,710 victims in these cases Source: Humantraffickinghotline.org THE TOLL OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING 100,000 children are exploited in prostitution each year, according to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. 12–16 is the common age range of first exploitation. Some victims are as young as 9. TRAFFICKERS PREY ON VULNERABLE YOUTH WHO … • have a history of abuse and/ or an unstable home life • have run away or are homeless • are lonely or disconnected • are considered truants or troublemakers • experience drug addiction • have low self-esteem or seek attention KNOW THE SIGNS: Changes in behavior: absence from school, provocative dress, changes in attitude, drug/ alcohol use, signs of abuse, fear and/or anxiety Changes in lifestyle: money, material possessions, tattoos Changes in peers: new boyfriend, new friends and/or gang affiliation Source: Shared Hope International

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