Nurses’ help in war on trafficking hailed as ‘exciting prospect’

A global programme to raise awareness among nurses of human trafficking has been welcomed by Bishop Denis Brennan of Ferns, who represents the Irish bishops in an international anti-trafficking alliance.

The initiative, a partnership between the International Council of Nurses, the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation, HSE and the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, saw a booklet being launched at the International Council of Nurses’ Congress in Singapore, attended by more than 5,000 nurses from over 120 countries.

Research in the UK and US has found that many trafficked victims will have some contact with a nurse, and the booklet aims to inform nurses on the types of human trafficking, signs to look out for, and which actions to take trafficking is suspected.

“I warmly welcome the launch of a programme to raise awareness among Nurses worldwide of the practice of human trafficking,” Dr Brennan told The Irish Catholic.

“The Santa Marta Group is composed of Police Chiefs, Bishops, Religious and NGO’s and the possibility of involving the world’s 20 million nurses in the fight against human trafficking is an exciting prospect,” he continued. “Human trafficking thrives on secrecy so the more people who are aware of its activities the less likely it is to remain in the shadows.”