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FirstMed Health and Wellness Center, a 501(c)3 Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) for under-served and low-income families in Southern Nevada, has partnered with U.S. Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto and local transit centers in an effort to combat human trafficking in Southern Nevada.
Labor and sex trafficking victims are commonly trafficked on airplanes and public transportation. The Reduce Human Trafficking through Transportation Act proposed by the senator would provide transportation hubs like the South Strip Transit Center and Harry Reid International Airport with dedicated funding for ongoing human trafficking prevention and awareness campaigns and training.
FirstMed’s Board Chairwoman Helen Foley spoke alongside Sen. Cortez Masto at the press conference, as well as MJ Maynard, CEO of the RTC, and Rosemary Vassiliadis, director of aviation with Harry Reid International Airport. Each discussed their supporting roles on the initiative, including human trafficking intervention and rehabilitation services.
“Nevada currently ranks ninth in the nation for human trafficking, which means we must urgently act as a community to combine our resources in effort to combat this crisis,” said FirstMed CEO Angela Quinn.
As part of the proposed legislation, FirstMed will be notified when an individual contacts the national human trafficking hotline, displayed throughout transit center bathrooms, and when victims request a safe space in a transit vehicle or facility. Depending on the individual’s status, FirstMed will decide to either provide immediate security services or medical attention. With the survivor’s consent, they will receive physical, mental and rehabilitation services regardless of their financial situation.
FirstMed also offers a 24-hour crisis hotline available for victims to request immediate help, at 702-731-0909. For more information, please visit https://fmhwc.org/.
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