Medical Summit helps health care workers identify human trafficking victims

CHICAGO (WLS) -- The victims of human trafficking sometimes end up in hospitals - now, medical professionals are getting the tools they need to help them.

Cook County State's Attorney Anita Alvarez convened the first-ever Medical Summit, which is designed to help health care workers identify victims, push for intervention and help them recover.

"They may be coming to the ER and they're beaten. And for the medical professionals to understand that - to recognize that - so we can get involved and be in the position to help them," Alvarez said.

The Medical Summit was a partnership between Swedish Covenant and Lurie Children's hospitals along with State's Attorney Alvarez and the Cook County Human Trafficking Task Force.