By Brie Handgraaf, Times Staff Writer
ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. – While resources for domestic violence and sexual assault victims are prevalent, identifying and helping victims of human trafficking is a relatively new undertaking among resource agencies.
Cynthia Kornegay, executive director of My Sister’s House in Rocky Mount, said three victims of human trafficking have been identified in the Twin Counties since she took the post a little more than a year ago. Wesley Shelter Executive Director Lynne White said staff at the Wilson resource agency often see evidence of human trafficking intermixed among clients’ accounts of domestic violence and sexual assault.
“Awareness about human trafficking is very much like domestic violence was back in the 1980s when some professionals recognized there was an issue, but no one knew to what degree and how to respond,” Kornegay said.
The agricultural economy and prevalence of migrant farm workers in this region make human trafficking a significant issue, but officials said victims are not only undocumented workers.
“Human trafficking is modern-day slavery that involves labor by force, fraud or coercion,” Kornegay said. “Victims are men, women and children. It can happen to anyone, anywhere.”
Both agencies have coordinated with similar organizations across the state and country to receive training on how to identify victims of human trafficking as well as what resources are available.
White said Wesley Shelter’s extensive Spanish-language services, including 24-hour crisis lines in English and Spanish, make them an invaluable resource to all victims in the region.
“Our concern was to get a Spanish-speaking person for the shelter, which has been a good addition to our services,” she said. “Instead of having our office staff go down to the shelter when a Spanish-speaking client comes in, the shelter worker can interpret and make sure the cultural needs are met.”
The October opening of the Nash Edgecombe Family Justice Center will bolster the services offered to victims of human trafficking as well as sexual assault and domestic violence. A $1.7 million grant from the N.C. Governor’s Crime Commission is providing the seed money for the center, which, with about 10 partnerships, will provide a “one-stop shop” approach for victims. Rather than spending a day or more going to the resource agency, law enforcement, social services and therapists, everything will be provided from the Rocky Mount office.
“The whole team meets the client here, which is the best practice for providing for all of the client’s needs,” Kornegay said.
White said a similar approach is provided for victims through Wesley Shelter, with a nurse soon to be added to the staff to attend to basic medical care of clients and promote health education.
“It is best for the client anytime you can make it easier by having them seen in one place instead of having to go to a bunch of different buildings and agencies,” she said.
With similar needs, My Sister’s House and Wesley Shelter often work together to ensure clients get what they need. When fleeing a dangerous situation such as an abusive spouse, advocates often send clients to agencies near and far.
“We’ll move clients through seven or more shelters until we are satisfied they are no longer being followed and they are safe,” Kornegay said. “We have very strong partners in the state and in eastern North Carolina that will only be strengthened because of the justice center.”
White recognized that the shame, guilt and other emotions that often come with being victimized also make cooperation with nearby agencies essential.
“Domestic violence affects all ages, races, economic levels, so sometimes the client may not want to get services in their home county because of embarrassment,” she said. “We can facilitate that connection to other agencies and help them get services.”
Grant funds only go so far though, especially when it comes to providing services for an increasing population. Advocates encouraged residents to chip in with monetary donations or items such as clothing, food and other supplies that help get clients back on their feet. Volunteers also are needed to help staff the respective agencies’ stores, man the crisis line and raise public awareness. White said Wesley Shelter is a United Way organization with those donations making tangible impacts on the services they provide.
“We cannot do all we do without the support of the community,” White said.
Original article: Agencies work together to fill community needs