Bergen New Bridge Joined With New Jersey Coalition Against Human Trafficking for Healthcare Conference
Conference educated attendees on the importance of compassion & safe environments for survivors
(Paramus, NJ) – Paramus, NJ – The New Jersey Coalition Against Human Trafficking (NJCAHT) held a trauma-informed and survivor-inclusive virtual Healthcare Conference on Saturday, October 22 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Bergen New Bridge was proud to be a Bronze Sponsor of the conference which included peer-lead workshops on creating safety and community and how to identify and respond to suspected human trafficking. It was aimed at everyone working in healthcare, from support staff to clinicians, as well as interested community members.
This innovative event educated attendees on how to create an emotionally and physically safe environment for patients who may be affected by abuse, neglect, or violence, such as human trafficking, providing a setting that can promote sharing their own experiences, ultimately accepting services and support.
The conference titled “What Makes a Safer NJ? You do! A Trauma Responsive Approach” was a full day of training by subject matter experts, including many with lived experience of human trafficking. The conference offered continuing education credits for healthcare professionals but was open to anyone eager to learn more about the compassion and knowledge required to assist victims of human trafficking. It was presented in collaboration with Saint Elizabeth University and the New Jersey State Society of Physician Assistants.
The conference was made possible by an initial grant from Capital Health’s Capital Women in Philanthropy.
ABOUT BERGEN NEW BRIDGE MEDICAL CENTER
Bergen New Bridge Medical Center, a clinical affiliate of Rutgers, is a 1,070-bed hospital located at 230 East Ridgewood Avenue in Paramus, NJ. The Medical Center is both the largest hospital and licensed nursing home in NJ and the fourth-largest publicly-owned hospital in the nation.
Bergen New Bridge Medical Center, a not-for-profit safety net facility, provides high-quality comprehensive services, including acute and ambulatory care from Rutgers New Jersey Medical School and community physicians, mental health and substance use disorder treatment, and long-term care to the greater Bergen County community. The Medical Center, including its Long-Term Care Division, is fully accredited by The Joint Commission and is in network with all major New Jersey commercial insurance plans covering 99.89% of NJ residents.
Bergen New Bridge Medical Center is a full-service hospital with a 24/7 emergency department, surgical suites, physical rehabilitation, pharmacy, laboratory, radiologic services (including digital mammography), and more than 26 medical specialties available through its Ambulatory Care Center. The Medical Center is a Veterans Community Care Provider proudly serving the healthcare needs of veterans and is a Leader in LGBTQ Healthcare Equality in the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Healthcare Equality Index (HEI) for 2019. Learn more at www.newbridgehealth.org.
ABOUT THE NEW JERSEY COALITION AGAINST HUMAN TRAFFICKING
The New Jersey Coalition Against Human Trafficking (NJCAHT) is a volunteer-run 501c3 nonprofit founded in 2011 that coordinates statewide community efforts to end sex and labor trafficking in New Jersey. Comprising over 150 volunteers and more than 200 affiliates including nonprofits, faith-based organizations, academics, law enforcement, and direct service providers it works to empower communities with the knowledge of what human trafficking is, how to prevent it, and how to support those affected by it. The NJCAHT Healthcare Committee brings together anyone working in the health field to help educate those inside and outside of the profession on how to identify and respond to a possible trafficked person. For more information go to https://www.safernj.org/raise-awareness-in-healthcare