Canadian Press writer Keven Drews reports that in British
Columbia emergency rooms possible victims of human trafficking or exploitation
may be recognized sooner and easier due to a new awareness training program
launched by The Fraser Health Authority under British Columbia’s Action Plan to
Combat Human Trafficking. According to
the article, a tool kit called Help, Don’t Hinder containing access to an
online training program, a DVD, and education sessions will help hospital
personnel to recognize the “red flags” that often identify possible victims
when they seek medical attention. Drews
reports that the program and others like it hope to raise awareness about the
crimes that happen more often than many citizens realize.
Programs that raise awareness of global crimes like human
trafficking are slowly becoming more prevalent worldwide. This British Columbian program outlined in
this week’s Regina Leader-Post is similar to other local programs found in communities
around the world. It is so important for
awareness to be raised as human trafficking and similar crimes of exploitation
are often happening in and around communities where people are oblivious. Many feel that crimes like this “don’t happen
here”, when in fact it does. Even
professional caregivers miss the signs of possible abuse, which are not always
physical in nature. A red alert flag
should go up when someone seems to work long hours yet does not seem to have
any money, or if they can’t provide documentation about their identity or where
they live. Through awareness programs
and events being held at school campuses, churches, and even the remote areas
of the world (see related video for a program called Elephants for Kids in
Thailand) maybe more lives can be changed or saved.
Shannon Yaw
Posted 3/22/13 at 8:06pm
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