VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (March 30, 2022) – The Aviation Institute of Maintenance, Centura College, and Tidewater Tech family of schools has received the Silver “Leader in Freedom” award from the national anti-trafficking organization, Safe House Project, for the work carried out by the administration, students, and staff to combat domestic child trafficking.
Human trafficking is an issue that everyone has a place in the fight against. First responders and corporations consistently work with their community and can recognize potential victims of violence. In the same token, healthcare workers in particular are in a unique position to recognize a potential victim and have the opportunity to speak up.
According to the American Public Health Association, roughly 50% of victims of human trafficking see a healthcare professional during their exploitation. With this in consideration, The Safe House Project has developed a training program targeting healthcare professionals to identify potential human trafficking victims, as well as offering support and resources. This training was developed alongside various professionals to include Human Trafficking Survivors, Crime Scene Investigators, Forensic Nurses, and a host of other healthcare professionals. All health professionals have a hand in the fight against human trafficking and having the proper training to recognize potential victims can have a significant impact overall.
In recognition of this, Centura College has committed to providing training for students in various healthcare centric programs to recognize the signs of a victim of human trafficking. Centura College students enrolled in healthcare programs will be equipped with the training as a useful tool in handling real-world situations they are likely to face. “Human Trafficking and ways to identify those being trafficked are essential in the healthcare industry! Our Medical Assisting & Limited Scope Radiologic Technology students after taking the H.O.P.E Training will be better equipped to help assist those in need. Together we all can make a difference!” said Lenora Wright, Program Coordinator at Centura College, Chesapeake.
