Conference Educates Attendees on Trauma Experienced by Human Trafficking Victims
ATLANTA — JUNE 2015 — On June 14-17, 2015, approximately 100 people gathered in Atlanta for Trauma Informed Care, a series of conference workshops addressing trauma concerns as presented with victims of human trafficking. The event was hosted by Richmont Graduate University, who partnered with the International Christian Alliance on Prostitution (ICAP) and NightLight to put on the event.
“Part of our mission at Richmont is to advance God’s work of healing and restoration in communities,” said Bob Rodgers, the president of Richmont. “That’s why we are honored to have the opportunity to host events like this one. It allows us to shed light on issues like human trafficking that often seem far away — but are actually happening in our own city.”
Throughout the three-day conference, attendees heard from Dr. Dan Sartor, whom Richmont brought in to present at the event. Dr. Sartor currently serves as the Director of Trinity Counseling Services and Associate Professor of Psychology at Trinity Christian College in Palos Heights, Illinois, and as an adjunct faculty member at Richmont in Atlanta.
“The need for awareness [of human trafficking] at all levels of our society, from grassroots intervention to wisdom-infused political policy, has never been greater,” said Dr. Sartor. “I’m so grateful for organizations like ICAP and Richmont Graduate University that seek to equip and serve those in front line positions, stemming the tide of modern day slavery and sex trafficking through informed, strategic partnerships.”
Richmont also provided attendees with the opportunity to gain up to 7.5 Continuing Education credit hours by participating in specified portions of the conference. Richmont Graduate University is approved by National Board for Certified Counselors as an Approved Continuing Education Provider and by the American Psychologist Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists.
Through the lens of working with human trafficking victims, attendees of the conference learned many aspects of the treatment of trauma, including the impact it has on health, spirituality and worldview. Attendees also left the conference with skills like how to recognize the signs of trauma, address the various aspects of recovery, describe biopsychosocial dimensions of health according to Interpersonal Neurobiology and Attachment Theory, and more.
Richmont partnered with ICAP and NightLight to bring the Trauma Informed Care conference series to Atlanta. NightLight Atlanta is a movement that works through prevention, intervention, restoration and education to address the issues of sex tourism and trafficking. ICAP is a network of Christian practitioners who offer freedom and bring healing to those who have been sexually exploited through prostitution and sex trafficking.
“I’m honored to partner with ICAP and Richmont Graduate University in their proactive, compassionate and holistic approach to understanding and caring for the victims of sex trafficking,” said Dr. Sarter. “In so doing, they are lights shining in the darkness, embodying the healing love of Christ within a world of trauma and brokenness.”
The Trauma Informed Care conference took place at Grace Midtown, 1095 State Street, Atlanta, Georgia 30318. More information about the conference can be found at http://richmont.edu/trauma-informed-care/.