Centra Health introduces initiative to stop human trafficking in Central and Southern Virginia

LYNCHBURG, Va. (WDBJ) - At Lynchburg General Hospital, Centra Health is taking proactive steps to combat human trafficking.

“Over 80% of trafficking victims who see some type of help, are not identified... So we don’t want that to be our community,” said Joy Cover, President of Freedom 4/24.

Through years of hard work, April Rasmussen and her dedicated team of forensic nurses, and Cover with Freedom 4/24, develop tailored policies and educational programs to address the issue.

“Our anticipation with training the medical community is that they can start asking the right questions, they can acknowledge when something is happening, and just have a questioning attitude,” said Rasmussen.

The program would require emergency department physicians and behavioral health providers at Centra to complete human trafficking prevention training on how to identify trafficking victims.

Taking cues from Texas, where laws require healthcare providers to undergo human trafficking prevention training for state credentialing, Centra has developed its educational program to meet these standards. This helps Centra prepare for possible future laws in Virginia, making sure its training meets the necessary requirements.

Centra’s professional development team is reviewing the program. Once approved, doctors and advanced providers can get two hours of Continuing Medical Education (CME) credit through in-person training. Nurses will also be able to take a one-hour CME credit course, and there are plans for more training opportunities in the future. Virtual classes are expected to follow.

“You know these patients, many times, they’ve been in all types of trafficking situations from childhood to adulthood, and they’re really going into some major medical issues from that and have had communication with the medical community that has been in a medical light and hasn’t been supportive. So they are already scared to come forward to the medical community and we are really trying to change that,” said Rasmussen.

Rasmussen said often times the trafficker is not a stranger to the victim. This, and other factors can make it hard to come forward.

“It’s so important that you talk to these patients in a way that makes them feel comfortable and safe. They’re at a situation where it may not be the easiest conversation or the easiest communication. And so you don’t want to do anything that’s going to mess it up basically, and make the situation worse,” said Rasmussen.

The classes will first be offered to Centra staff which will begin on June 29, and then will move to other hospitals. There will be a fee for non-Centra providers.

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