January is National Slavery and Human Trafficking Awareness Month

Mary Washington Healthcare’s Forensic Nurse Examiner team participates in the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s (NCMEC) Hope Bag Collection Project 2020

The Mary Washington Forensic Nurse Examiner team, understanding the importance of supporting human trafficking victims, participated in the 2020 Hope Bag statewide collection project led by the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services.

The items collected include brand-new clothing such as leggings, underwear, t-shirts, socks, along with gift cards, snacks (nuts, granola bars), snack bags, and toiletries. The success of the project contributes to the crucial support survivors need during their first steps of recovery.

Several Mary Washington Healthcare departments helped gather items for the hope bags: The Wellness Program/Ryan White Grant, Trauma Services, the Emergency Department at Lee’s Hill, MWH Emergency Department, MWH Mother/Baby, and Labor & Delivery units. The goal was to create a minimum of 50 bags and they ended up with a total of 350 bags filled! Also, there were extra toiletries for 200+ additional hygiene kits, far exceeding the initial goal!

MWHC Associate, Angelina Campbell, FNE, will meet with the state trafficking response coordinator to receive 48 Hope Bags for our local jurisdictions.

This project highlights the importance of recognizing, rescuing, and supporting human trafficking victims.

For more information about the statewide effort, please visit dcjs.virginia.gov. To learn more about Mary Washington Healthcare’s Forensic Exam Services, please visit forensics.mwhc.com.