Zonta Club of Charleston

Understanding the Trauma Response and Assisting Survivors of Human Trafficking in South Carolina

Description:

According to American Nurse Today, “Outside of law enforcement, healthcare settings are among the few places where the lives of human trafficking victims may intersect with the rest of society’s.”  Research has indicated that roughly 800,000 people are trafficked across national borders annually and about 80% of transnational victims are women and girls.

The Eastern Carolina Coalition Against Human Trafficking designed a program to enlighten the Healthcare provider about the scope of  trafficking,  and to assist the provider in identifying the  trauma-related symptoms commonly identified in patients  Many legal aspects of this problem will be identified as well as measures that healthcare providers can take in the identification and assistance/referral of these victims.

Main Objectives:

Upon completion of this program, the participant will be able to:

1. Define “Human Trafficking”

2. Describe three Common trauma-related symptoms.

3. Identify two reasons why it is important to consider developmental and cultural factors when working with trafficking victims.

4. Name four interviewing tips to keep in mind when working with trafficking survivors.

5. Name two ways that vicarious trauma can impact providers.

6. Describe the legal overview of trafficking.

7. Recognize “Indictors” that might warrant further investigation

8. Identify measures that healthcare providers can take in the identification and assistance/referral of victims.

9. Describe the “underground” nature of trafficking and how victims are forced into servitude.

10. Reiterate the American Nurses Association (ANA) House of Delegates resolutions related to Human Trafficking.

Instructors:

Elizabeth Hopper, Ph.D.

Clinical Psychologist/Program Director of project REACH

Sgt. Michael Hildebrand, B.S.

Greenville County Sheriff’s Office/ Carolinas Institute of Community Policing

Kelly O’Neill-Bagwell

President, Eastern Carolina Coalition Against Human Trafficking

Fee:

$20.00

$30.00 Late Fee if Registration and Payment are received after March 17, 2011

Target Audience:

Nurses, Counselors and Therapists, Social Workers, Law Enforcement, Victims Advocates, Other Interested Healthcare Providers, Students of Health Professions.

6.5 AHEC Clock Hours

6.5 Non-Social Work Hours

6.5 Nursing Contact Hours

6.75 CLEE Hours-Law Enforcement

6.5 Counselor and Therapist Hours

6.0 hours-Victims Services Provider (VSP)

This program will be conducted at three locations:

March 23th

Times:  8:00am-8:30am-Check-in

8:30am-4:45pm-Program

Coastal Carolina Association of Realtors

951 Shine Ave

Myrtle Beach, SC  29577

March 24th

YWCA of Greater Charleston

106 Coming Street

Charleston,SC 29403

Register at:   www.lcahec.com

Contact:  Debbie Anderson, BA, CE Coord., Lowcountry AHEC, 843.782.5052, andersond@lcahec.com

March 25th

Coastal Carolina Hospital

Medical Plaza – Suite 220

1010 Medical Park Drive

Hardeeville, SC 29927

(I-95, Exit 8 – across from McDonald’s)

Register at:  www.lcahec.com

Contact:  Debbie Anderson, BA, CE Coord., Lowcountry AHEC, 843.782.5052, andersond@lcahec.com

The Zonta Club of Charleston is very proud of our coffee meetings. They have been bringing organizations together and networking has become a big part of it.  We have recently been given the following examples of success stories as a result of our coffees:

• Sarah Finklestein with National Council for Jewish Women made contact with Dr. Michael DiNicola of Berkley County Schools.  They met and she deliver 4,000 of her domestic violence prevention posters with signs of abuse and contact numbers for victims to call and rack cards to be displayed in every school in Berkley County.
• Liz Schwartz, our newest Zontian, has connected with Goodwill Industries and the company will be taking her therapy dolls and her business to the next level.
• Pastor Jim Weathers from Cathedral of Praise contacted Diana Bogart, our Coffee Chair, for a legal referral for a woman in his church.  This woman makes too much to qualify for legal aid, but needs assistance getting an attorney to fight her husband in divorce and child custody hearing.  In trying to help her find resources, it has come to our attention that if a woman does not meet the threshold for legal aid she does not have many options to her without money.  Women are going to family members for financial help, re-financing homes, representing themselves, declaring bankruptcy and going in debt.  Our next coffee on December 9^th will be on legal resources.

As part of our Breaking the Silence Gala on January 22, 2011 we are going to collect used cell phones. Your used cell phone and accessories will be collected by Verizon Wireless for its Hopeline Program which donates phones to victims of domestic abuse.

The long-running HopeLine program collects no-longer-used wireless phones and equipment in any condition from any service provider. The used phones are either refurbished or recycled. With the funds raised from the sale of the refurbished phones, Verizon Wireless donates wireless phones and airtime to victims, and provides funding and other contributions to non-profit domestic violence shelters and prevention programs across the country.

Join us for an evening of fun while we raise money and awareness for Project Unity USA. Project Unity USA is aiming to raise funds for the city of North Charleston to help in building transitional housing for victims of domestic violence. By purchasing your ticket to Saturdays’s Stingrays game here, portions of the proceeds will go back to Project Unity USA. These tickets will be on sale until Wednesday, November 3rd at 5pm.

For more information about the Stingrays, please visit: http://stingrayshockey.com/schedule/promotional/

Our First Annual Breaking the Silence Gala and Awards that is taking place on January 22, 2011 at the Harbour Club is already gaining a l0t of support. We are pleased to announce our first round of sponsors:

Verizon (Gold Sponsor)
Savage Report
Coastal Crisis Chaplaincy
North Charleston Police Department
Liza’s Lifeline
Williams & Walsh, LLC

Individual tickets are for sale now on our website. Tickets are $75 per person and sponsorship opportunities are still available. Those potential sponsors that would like to sponsor a table yet do not need 10 seats, can donate their seats to victims of domestic violence that will be invited in their name to the gala.

Thank you again all your support!

Please nominate your domestic violence advocates!

The Zonta Club of Charleston is very excited to report that South Carolina Stingrays agreed to host a special night devoted to Domestic Violence Awareness on November 6. Part of the proceeds of that night will go to help victims.

For each ticket ordered online for $15, they will donate $5 to build a Transitional Housing Shelter for domestic violence victims in North Charleston, SC.

More information to come, but this is going to be a Go Purple Night in Charleston!

The 1^st Annual Breaking the Silence Awards on January 22, 2011

Honoring Individuals and Organizations Making a Difference for Domestic Violence Victims.

Tell us about someone you know who qualifies as a Domestic Violence Victims Advocate.

First, please tell us a little bit about yourself:

First Name

Last Name

Address

Email

Phone Number

How long have you known the person you are nominating?

What is your relationship to your nominee?

How did you hear about these awards?

Your Nominee’s Info:

Please tell us about the person you are nominating to be a Domestic Violence Victims Advocate.

First Name

Last Name

Address

Email

Phone Number

Select a category:

Best in Media

Best in Business

Best Volunteer

Best Professional

1. In your own words, why does your nominee deserve recognition as a Domestic Violence Victims Advocate? Please describe in detail your nominee’s specific accomplishment and what was involved in achieving it. Be sure to include the dates of the activities.
(200 word maximum)

2. How have your nominee’s efforts made a difference in preventing domestic violence?  Please describe their impact, potential impact and how they have inspired others.
(100 word maximum)

3. Is there a specific incident or turning point that motivated your nominee to take action? (100 word maximum)

4. How will being recognized as a Domestic Violence Victims Advocate further your nominee’s cause? (50 word maximum)

5. If you would like to share any websites or online articles about your nominee’s activities, you may enter up to 3 links here.

Please mail your completed nomination form by October 10, 2010 to Zonta Club of Charleston, P.O.Box 40548, Charleston, SC 29423. The forms can be also emailed to info@zontaofcharleston.com. For more information, please call 843-345-3275.

The Report from the Zonta Breakfast of 2009 included eight topics of concern for our greater communities. The topic “Raising Public Awareness of Interpersonal Violence” was number one on the list and has been selected as the focus for The Second Zonta Breakfast.  We are using the text from the report as indicated below to organize table topics for discussion. In addition we are adding one other topic – what support do we need from the Mayors’ Offices.

1. Raise awareness about domestic violence locally, regionally and statewide.

What is working?

Participants noted that the following activities are working to raise awareness: vigils, Stop the Violence seminars, discussions and education efforts by age group. Domestic violence advocates agreed that their efforts to raise awareness have been successful. Activities such as music education help bring a community together so that issues of violence can be discussed openly.

What could be improved?

Participants noted areas that need improvement. Existing brochures frequently do not get the message across clearly. A more direct, personal approach could be more effective.  Use well-known spokespeople from a variety of fields, to promote the message that domestic violence touches as many lives as breast cancer or drug abuse. The community needs more training forums and education platforms. Creating opportunities for former abuse victims to share their experiences and describe how they changed their lives could raise public awareness. Information on what constitutes a healthy relationship should be part of any awareness campaign. Finally, implement and fund more programs for all parts of a community: schools, adults, churches and community organizations.

The next leadership breakfast takes place on February 11, 2010, starting with registration at 7:30am. Table discussions start at 8:00am and meeting will be adjourned at 9:30am.

Florence Crittenton has provided shelter and support for single mothers in South Carolina since 1897 and our club is devoted to spending time with its residents, discussing topics such as budgeting, healthy relationships, education and job search. On December 9, 2009, our club visited Florence Crittenton to do our annual holiday workshop, making Christmas tree ornaments and bringing gifts for the babies. The residents of the shelter are always so great-full for time spent and goodies donated; also our club members enjoy the time spent getting to know the girls very much! It is very rewarding to give back to the community in this happy season of giving.