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PBJ Learning Announces New Advisory Board Member Marielle Combs, DNP, RN, CNE

Journal of Holistic Nursing author and certified nurse educator joins human trafficking prevention training leadership

, the creator of Human Trafficking Essentials, a leading human trafficking and prevention course, is pleased to announce the addition of a new member to its Advisory Board, Dr. Marielle Combs. Dr. Combs uses her educational expertise to empower future nurses and the community in human trafficking identification, rescue, and the healing of survivors. Her extensive educational experience will guide PBJ Learning's training curriculum.

“Right out of the gate, Marielle rolled in with a lengthy critique of our ,” says Billy Joe Cain, PBJ Learning's co-founder and creative director. “It made me cry tears of joy. I love improving our products to make them more effective and I'm so happy to have her on board.”

Dr. Combs is an experienced certified nurse educator, published author (“Human Trafficking: Empowering Healthcare Providers and Community Partners as Advocates for Victims” – more below), and advocate for increasing anti-human trafficking awareness. She also is the nursing education director for the anti-trafficking non-profit organization, Exitus.

With regard to PBJ Learning's online course, she says, “The segments and activities were so engaging that I felt excited and accomplished at the end of each one as my intellectual growth was evident.” She continues, “It is atypical for virtual trainings (even some created for masters and doctoral prepared audiences) to reach this level of detail and commitment to produce a diverse virtual learning environment.”

Cain summarizes, “Having Marielle on our advisory team is bringing a whole new perspective and forward-thinking methodology to our mix. It's obvious we're going to have to keep up with her.

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ABOUT HUMAN TRAFFICKING ESSENTIALS

Human Trafficking Essentials OnlineHuman Trafficking Essentials‘ learning objectives are aligned with authoritative sources and the most promising practices in the field. Data and sources used in the course have been reviewed and approved by , survivors, and advocates. PBJ Learning guarantees their continuing education credits meet or exceed any requirements for human trafficking training. The Project Management Institute, for example, recognizes them for their Project Management Professional (PMP) certificate holders.

ABOUT PBJ LEARNING

PBJ Learning is a leading provider of online human trafficking awareness and prevention education. Their Human Trafficking Essentials online course is being used worldwide to educate professionals and individuals how to recognize human trafficking and how to respond to a potential victim. Their course is available for use on any web browser at any time.

ABOUT EXITUS

For years, our founders have been operating in the shadows, finding the most vulnerable and exploited, opening the doors for their freedom and healing. EXITUS operators are everyday people just like you – single moms, fathers, medical providers, gym-goers, hardworking employees. We work our day jobs then after hours, we work tirelessly to make a way for their escape. Our teams personally know those suffering from the trauma of human trafficking. We know their stories. We know their pain and we know their needs. We believe in relationship based rescuing, sustainable and holistic models of identifying, developing trust with exploited persons, and then creating pathways for them to leave their exploitation. Our model opens the door to freedom, peace, and healing through these exit pathways and relationship based rescue efforts. 

Human Trafficking: Empowering Healthcare Providers and Community Partners as Advocates for Victims” 

Read Dr. Combs' paper on the Journal of Holistic Nursing.

Abstract

Human trafficking, also known as modern-day slavery, is a public health crisis and a growing worldwide crime exploiting approximately 40.3 million victims. A decade ago approximately 79% of human trafficking crimes were related to sexual exploitation and 18% were related to forced labor, but more recent reports show approximately 50% and 38%, respectively. Although sexual exploitation continues to make up the majority of human trafficking crimes, forced labor continues to grow at an alarming rate. The purpose of this paper is 2-fold. First, to empower providers and community volunteers serving potential victims of human trafficking in traditional and nontraditional settings with human trafficking identification training. This education should include the use of a validated human trafficking screening tool and the timely provision of . Second, to guide professional nurses in the holistic approach to caring for potential victims of human trafficking. The core values of holistic nursing practice and Watson's Theory of Human Caring are the pillars guiding mindful and authentic nursing care. Merging evidence-based practice with holistic care will boost victim identification and rescue.

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