Human Trafficking Prevention & Response Initiative

The Samuel Merritt University Human Trafficking Prevention & Response Program (HT P.R.E.P.) is an initiative created in collaboration between SMU’s Ethnic Health Institute and College of Nursing. Studies have shown that over 80% of people who experience human trafficking interact with healthcare institutions while they’re being trafficked. However, only about 30% of healthcare workers report feeling prepared to address human trafficking in a clinical setting. These statistics were top of mind for the SMU faculty and staff who initiated SMU's task force in 2022. Since then, over 300 students, staff, faculty, and practitioners have been trained on how to recognize signs of human trafficking in a healthcare setting and how to provide trauma-informed care to survivors.

The HT P.R.E.P. team is grateful to work in collaboration with numerous survivor-led and frontline organizations including MISSSEY, A Sista’s Touch, BAWAR, and Dream Youth Clinic in this work.

SMU Human Trafficking Prevention & Response Task Force Members:

Sam Alavi-Irvine: Director, SMU Center for Community Engagement

Tavi Baker: Associate Director, Center for Community Engagement & Manager, Ethnic Health Institute

Shelitha Campbell: Faculty, College of Nursing

Jeneva Gularte-Rinaldo: Faculty, College of Nursing

Sarah Koster: Faculty, College of Nursing

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