Project STAAR: Using Photovoice to Reduce Stigma and Promote Resilience among Survivors of Childhood Sex Trafficking
Jennifer Middleton, PhD, MSW, LCSW | September 20 | 10:15-11:15 AM
Topic: Programming, Art | Knowledge Level: Beginner, Intermediate | Location: Room 2591
Human trafficking is the fastest growing criminal industry in the world today generating $9.5 billion yearly in the United States, with 98% of sex trafficking victims being women and girls. This photovoice project aims to 1) to increase awareness of the issue of human trafficking; and 2) to improve the ability of systems to appropriately and effectively respond to human trafficking in a trauma-informed manner, in order to reduce stigma and promote resilience. Project STAAR (Survivors of Trafficking creating Art, Agency, and Resilience) is a survivor-informed photovoice project that utilized grounded theory analysis techniques to facilitate critical conversations with two cohorts of survivors of childhood sex trafficking. A photovoice approach, with grounded theory analysis techniques was used to conduct two cohorts of data collection involving critical conversations with survivors of childhood sex trafficking. The resulting compilation of photos and narratives shared by the artists (the survivors) will be shown as a 20-minute silent short film. The film is powerful and conveys the many ‘photovoices’ of survivors of child sex trafficking. Following the film, the Project STAAR team will present lessons learned and findings (photography and narratives) from the project. Recommendations for improving advocacy, outreach and services will also be discussed. Dr. Lesley Harris, Assistant Professor at the University of Louisville, Dr. Maurice Gattis, Associate Professor at the University of Louisville, and Angela Renfro, Executive Director of the Kristy Love Foundation are contributors of this presentation.
Presentation Objectives:
· Increase awareness of the issue of child sex trafficking in the United States
· Enhance knowledge and understanding regarding the dynamics of child sex trafficking and its impact on children
· Reduce stigma and promote resilience among child trafficking survivors
· Improve the ability of systems to appropriately and effectively respond to child sex trafficking in a trauma-informed manner