Celebrating Women's History Month!
Sandy Woo-Cater is a subject matter expert on human trafficking issues and has nearly two decades of engagement in the counter-trafficking field. As system project lead for CommonSpirit Health’s Human Trafficking Response Program, she focuses on the intersections of human trafficking and health equity. Sandy creates and supports national strategizes to respond to all forms of trafficking through the lens of cultural humility. In 2022, she published her peer-reviewed article, Unearthing Historical Trauma to Advance Health Equity for Survivors of Human Trafficking.
Sandy’s leadership in anti-trafficking initiatives is informed by a unique hybrid of professional experiences. Her skillset has been shaped by her time in academia as well as her crisis intervention work which directly served trafficked populations fleeing violence. While teaching undergraduate courses and pursuing her doctoral studies in Sociology, with a research focus on the trafficking of Chinese women in 19th Century California, Sandy decided to take a hiatus from academia to build Kern County’s first official human trafficking crisis response program with funding from CalOES. In partnership with the Central Valley Freedom Coalition, this program filled an urgent gap and provided safety and resources for those experiencing labor trafficking and/or sex trafficking throughout the Central Valley. Through this endeavor, Sandy gained first-hand experience out in the field supporting individuals and families fleeing active trafficking situations, partnered in local and federal law enforcement operations, and collaborated in other community initiatives to address trafficking. Additionally, Sandy volunteered to serve as co-director for the Kern Coalition Against Human Trafficking for six years to establish regional and state-wide partnerships to create expansive supportive networks for victims and survivors. Get Involved!
Originally from San Francisco’s Chinatown, Sandy was first in her family to obtain a formal education and have full access to literacy. She is proudly the daughter of immigrants and has committed her life’s work to advocating for vulnerable communities. Originally aired on 3/17/23.
Catch Real Talk, every Friday from 10am to 12pm PST on FORGE 103.9FM (Kern County, CA) or stream anywhere on FORGE1039.COM.
Host: Matt Munoz
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