TARRANT COUNTY, TX
Public Health
Presenters for the seminar (left to right): Amanda Brosnan - Tarrant County Public Health (moderating); LaTasha Jackson-McDougle - Cheryl's Voice; Dr. Gary Kesling - Tarrant County Public Health; Jessica Peck - NapnapPartners for Vulnerable Youth; Heather Scroggins - JPS Health Network; Mary Ann Contreras - JPS Health Network; Sergeant Tyler Stillman - Bedford Police Department; Shannon Wolf - Trauma Bonds; Officer Heather Rivard - Fort Worth Police Department; Julia Walsh - Unbound; Susan Blume - Texas Health Resources HEB.
On Thursday, November 14, 2019, the "Identifying and Responding to Human Trafficking and Intimate Partner Violence in Healthcare" seminar took place on the campus of Texas Christian University.
The seminar examined human trafficking and intimate partner violence from a healthcare and public health perspective, and included information on how to identify, communicate with and provide resources for potential victims.
Tarrant County Commissioner Roy Charles Brooks welcomed attendees to the seminar and shared a state proclamation regarding human trafficking and intimate partner violence.
Review this Seminar Agenda for a full list of speakers and their topics.
Speaker quotes
Tarrant County Commissioner Roy Charles Brooks
"...the 86th Legislature of the State of Texas has recognized human trafficking as a public health issue."
Fort Worth Police Officer Hannah Rivard:
"...victims don't always see themselves as being trafficked..."
"...victims develop a wide range of coping mechanisms...they've been isolated and have a lot of fear..."
"Trafficking is the secong largest and fastest growing criminal industry in the world..."
Intimate Partner Violence Survivor LaTasha Jackson-McDougle:
"Intimate partner violence and human trafficking are not consentual. Neither is voluntary!"
"Abusers require control..."
Tarrant County Health Authority, Dr. Catherine Colquitt:
"Human trafficking and intimate partner violence often overlap, can be difficult to recognize during routine clinical encounters, and require us to ask some difficult questions, for example “Is anyone asking you to do something you don’t want to do?”
Bedford Police Sergeant Tyler Stillman:
"Traffickers are very savvy and know how to access kids and build relationships with them..."
"Isolation is the number one red flag that leads to victimization..."
Human Trafficking Survivor Julia Walsh (no link provided) :
"If you don't ask the right questions, or if you convey judgment, the victim won't be open to or trust you..."
"Nurses are ideally positioned to spot, identify and care for victims..."
"It's important to share this information community-wide..."
Agencies that can help victims
Full accreditation statements can be found here.
This education activity was provided by JPS Health Network and Tarrant County Public Health. JPS Health Network is an approved provider with commendation of continuing nursing education by the Texas Nurses Association - Approver, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.
Target Audience:
Healthcare and public health professionals in all capacities (from front door to discharge), and anyone who may interact with potential victims of human trafficking and intimate partner violence when they seek health services, were invited to attend.
Partner Agencies
