Michigan senator raises awareness of human trafficking at WSU School of Medicine

Sen. Gary Peters pushes for legislation to provide training to better identify
patients who are victims of human trafficking at the Wayne State School of
Medicine on March 30. Peters said human trafficking is currently the fastest
growing crime. (Photos by Alexander Franzen / The South End)

   Sen. Gary Peters (D-Michigan) urged for legislation “to help health care professionals identify patients who are victims of human trafficking” in a press conference at Wayne State’s School of Medicine on March 30.    Peters said the Trafficking Awareness Training for Health Care Act will provide funding to medical schools “to develop the best practices and research,” and hopes WSU will apply for the grant once the bill is passed.    “I think we would have an outstanding shot here at this university to be that leader, given the fact that we have too many folks in our area that are victims, and we have an outstanding school that has the unique capabilities of making that a reality,” Peters said.

   School of Medicine Interim Dean Jack Sobel said Gov. Rick Snyder’s selection of WSU faculty members Herbert Smitherman Jr. and Dena Nazer to serve on the state’s Human Trafficking Commission indicates the university’s commitment and involvement to the issue.

   “We are in a unique position and have a responsibility to participate in identifying and treating (victims of human trafficking),” Sobel said.

   Angela Aufdemberge, president and CEO of Vista Maria organization, and Patrick Lindsey, WSU vice president of government and community affairs, also spoke at the press conference.

Sen. Peters (left), Jack Sobel (center) and Angela Aufdemberge (right) spoke about the
Trafficking Awareness Training for Health Care Act. "We are in a unique position and
have a responsibility to participate in identifying and treating these individuals," Sobel said.