The London Abused Women’s Centre and Salvation Army Correctional Justice Services in London, Ontario, Canada have partnered with the tertiary care facility, London Health Sciences Centre, London, Canada, to deliver tailored training to medical residents, as well as specialty-specific training to pediatrics, obstetrics/gynecology, emergency department, and psychiatry. Other providers present include nurses and social workers who may come in to contact with a victim of human trafficking. Research shows that a victim’s first point of supportive contact is often through a health agency. Through CARES (Consortium of Anti Human Trafficking Research and Education), this model demonstrates the importance of using a wraparound approach to leverage the skills, knowledge, and abilities in each respective profession to be able to identify signs of human trafficking and to know how to intervene. The CARE team trains front line workers on how to be aware of the signs of trafficking, how to respond, who to report to, and how to manage vicarious trauma. The team relies on both front-line workers and lived experience experts to inform the process and to ensure the community is knowledgeable of, and responsive to, the growing plague of human trafficking. The call to action of the CARE team is to inform and educate every sector that may come into contact with a victim of human trafficking with the goal of prevention and early intervention. Attendees will understand the benefit of a cross-sectoral collaborative approach to networking, educating, and training about human trafficking for front line workers in medical and other human service industries.
Trigger Warning: This presentation contains information (written, spoken, or visual) that may be triggering or (re)traumatizing to attendees.
Wendy Goldsmith holds a Master of Social Work Degree and is currently an Advocate/Counsellor with London Abused Women's Centre (LAWC) in London, Ontario. She also coordinates LAWC’s Anti-Human Trafficking Initiatives. Wendy is a trainer for the Provincial Anti-Human Trafficking Coordinating Office. She trains front line staff, law enforcement, and judiciary on how to work with sexually exploited youth.
Aura Burditt is an outreach worker for The Salvation Army Correctional & Justice Services and is also the Chair for the Ontario Southwest Regional MSHT Committee, speaking to universities and colleges and other community agencies and groups. Aura has a BA from UWO, and a Certificate in Restorative Justice from Simon Fraser University in B.C.
Dr. Taryn Taylor is an Assistant Professor and academic obstetrician gynecologist specializing in health professions education. With a PhD in qualitative research and a passion for simulation education, she co-leads initiatives to train medical professionals in caring for trafficked survivors, emphasizing empathy, cultural competence, and comprehensive support strategies.