Panel highlights ways to support trafficking survivors

Offering survivors of human trafficking support and resources – without trying to rescue them – is the best way to help survivors, according to a recent panel discussion sponsored by Montana State University groups earlier this month.

In “Our community’s role in fighting human trafficking”, sponsored by the Heart Initiative and the Women’s Center, Dr. Veronica Shepp of MSU, Bozeman Health registered nurse Shannon, and Haven anti-trafficking legal advocate Sha discussed:

the difference between rescuing and empowering trafficking survivors
the root causes of human trafficking, and the role that “Adverse Childhood Experiences” (see the list here) plays with people who are more susceptible to trafficking
the need for non-judgmental, trauma-informed services, in both health care and groups that intervene in human trafficking