Increasing Organizational Capacity to Better Serve and Reach LGBTQ+ Survivors of Human Trafficking
Alexander Delgado, BA | September 24 | 10:00-11:00 AM
Topic: Direct Service | Knowledge Level: Intermediate
LGBTQ+ survivors of human trafficking are disproportionally served within the larger anti-trafficking movement. LGBTQ+ youth, ages 16 -24, are two to seven times more likely to be victimized and face commercial sexual exploitation than their non-LGBTQ+ counterparts (Modern Slavery Research Project, 2016; Dank, et al., 2015). There is little effort to reach out to adult LGBTQ+ survivors of human trafficking, many of whom are not identified as victims because of their unique experiences but also because of systematic heterosexism and discrimination faced by this community. There is a widespread lack of resources and educational materials about serving LGBTQ+ survivors of human trafficking, and many organizations feel ill-equipped and under prepared to work with this specialized population. This presentation was created to help organizations build their capacity to competently serve LGBTQ+ individuals and reach survivors that may go unidentified. Attendees will leave the discussion with a better understanding of how to identify biases that leave LGBTQ+ individuals underserved within the existing anti-trafficking movement. By understanding these biases, service providers and organizations can begin to assess the gaps in their programs as well as areas of improvement to make LGBTQ+ survivors feel welcome and safe. The presentation will explore unique challenges and hurdles these survivors face so organizations can incorporate solutions into their overall trafficking programming. By breaking down these unique challenges, anti-trafficking organizations and service providers can gain insight on building relationships and trust within their community to address the services gap provided to LGBTQ+ survivors of human trafficking.
Presentation Objectives:
· Discuss individual and organizational biases against LGBTQ+ survivors of trafficking
· Address gaps in services and areas of improvement for anti-trafficking organization
· Build partnership and trusts within the LGBTQ+ Community