Military and First Responders go through a lot of specialty training to qualify and maintain their careers. One common training module that many receive teaches how to spot signs of human trafficking and what to do about it.
Two Denver paramedics demonstrated the value of this training while responding to a typical call regarding abdominal pain. The patient lived in an apartment complex both paramedics had been to before, though the two had never worked together before.
On arrival, Laura Gehm and her Field Training Officer Julia Drahn got to work and began asking questions. Right away they both got a sense that something was wrong. A man in the apartment insisted on answering questions for the patient and was reluctant to allow her to be transported.
“When I was trying to talk to her and figure out the story, just nothing seemed to make sense,... And the answers that she was giving us were very one-worded.”
Laura Gehm
Drahn confirmed Gehm's suspicions saying "The dynamic between her and the man on scene really kind of gave me – the hairs on the back of my neck stood up".
Acting quickly, the Paramedics escalated the issue and discovered that the patient was indeed a victim of human trafficking.
The victim was lucky that the Paramedics knew what to look for. Drahn and Gehm have been awarded the Distinguished Service Cross at the Denver Health Foundation’s 4th Annual Paramedics Awards Celebration to Honor Community Heroes.
A job well done and rewarding. Congratulations you two.
I'd like to know how they "escalated the issue", but I assume they simply called the cops once they got out of earshot of the man controlling the girl.
Congratulations to both medics for seeing the signs that something was not right. Job well done!!
Its everywhere! Stay alert and watch for the actions of the perps and victims! You may be able to save someone!
CPO, they JUST DID SAVE SOMEONE - what DID happen to the victim?
And what happened to the trafficer??
That behavior is so typical of abuser/victim, of any sort! Should be a red flag to anyone in healthcare, law enforcement, or just about any situation.
this story is FANTASTIC, the article itself leaves too many questions...
Excelllent! Good work! I hope that the girl is okay and safe.
Kudos to t hem but I think of the police paid more attention they'd find it's going on more than this case alone.
A job well done. On to the next time.