Sex and Labor Trafficking of the Intellectual and Developmental Disability (IDD) Population
Pat Stephens, MEd & Steve Mentrek, MA | September 25 | 1:30-2:30 PM
Topic: Direct Service | Knowledge Level: Intermediate
This presentation will be on sex and labor trafficking of individuals with Intellectual Developmental Disabilities (IDD) and their vulnerability to traffickers. Risk factors, signs of victimization, trauma, and prevention will be discussed. Attendees will learn how human trafficking affects individuals with IDD physically and behaviorally. Presenters will assist attendees in how to develop and establish protocols and supports within the DD system. They will also discuss how to implement community integration in a safe and playful manner to protect our individuals from labor trafficking. The session will also cover some labor trafficking stories in order to protect the DD population from employers who have immoral practices. Cases will be discussed based on real life experiences and factual data gathered from Disability Right Ohio research. Presenters will also utilize a Disability Fact Sheets and a powerful video called “The Boys of Atalissa”. Attendees will take away how their individual vulnerabilities have made them targets in the United States as well as overseas.
Presentation Objectives:
· Inform the community that IDD individuals are being targeted for human trafficking
· Describe risk factors of human trafficking within the IDD population
· Assist with how to develop and establish protocols and supports in the DD system
· Discuss how integration in the community can be a risk for IDD individuals to be labor trafficked
· Describe how our own systems can cause barriers and limitations in this area