This session explores a continuum of trafficker control, personal freedom of movement, and autonomy as evident in three confirmed cases of sex trafficking which were prosecuted in a U.S. District Federal Court. These court cases are examined with methods of control theory, pertaining to instinctive aversion developed by David Grossman (2014), and the four stages of entrapment as developed by Barnado’s Street Lanes Project (Swann, 1998). This session will examine control, freedom of movement, and autonomy so as to develop and encourage future strategies for prevention by human service practitioners and law enforcement, as well as future research. The focus will be on address the grooming and maintenance process that sex trafficking survivors have experienced as well as methods to overcome such situations.

Presentation Objectives:

· Present three confirmed cases of sex trafficking and examine them using control theory

· Examine control, freedom of movement, and autonomy to develop and encourage future strategies for prevention and future research

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Drawing on an innovative study with trafficked young people in England, this presentation charts the development of a participative child trafficking research methodology. Child trafficking research with young people as active participants is scarce due to methodological barriers of gaining access (Goździak, 2008; Kelly, 2012) and a mistrust of adults (Hynes, 2010). “Embodied circles” (Gearon, 2020), a dynamic method of improvised dance, is presented as a creative method that successfully built trust and fostered young people’s engagement. An argument is made that the physical dimension of “embodied circles” enriches the research process for both researcher and participants, promotes social bonding, and aids confidence in participation and expression. “Embodied circles” is a novel method of not only addressing barriers in trafficking research, but also communicating epistemology, empowers participants, and is therapeutically aligned with trauma recovery approaches (Van der Kolk, 2014). The adaptability of “embodied circles” to different cultures is highlighted. This original participative child trafficking methodology will be of interest to those who seek to conduct research with at-risk, marginalized, and traumatized people. The ethical challenges of participation, practical examples of “embodied circles” and the importance of empowerment in the research process is highlighted.

Presentation Objectives:

· Discuss ethical challenges and ways to mitigate these in trafficking research

· Share research methods which successfully engaged marginalized and traumatized young people

· Highlight the importance of empowerment and trauma-informed approaches in trafficking research

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Geared toward professionals who work with survivors of trauma, and particularly those interested in dissociative disorders, this engaging presentation will provide a greater understanding of how early childhood sexual abuse, the human brain, and human trafficking are all connected. Amy’s personal testimony will leave you inspired and hopeful for a future without human trafficking. Amy presents the data and her own experience with abuse, severe dissociation, substance abuse, cognitive issues, and deeper systemic issues. There is an emphasis on Dissociative Identity Disorder, its prevalence among survivors of long-term trauma and implications related the diagnosis; a diagnosis for which Amy is very familiar. While no child, or adult, is completely immune from the evils of human trafficking, those who have already experienced severe trauma are more likely to fall victim. Preventing human trafficking has proven to be a difficult endeavor, but do not lose hope. Through realistic approaches in mental health, early education, law enforcement, and foster care, intervention and restoration are possible.

Presentation Objectives:

· Discuss how early childhood sexual trauma impacts the developing brain

· Explain how childhood sexual abuse, children in foster care, and sex trafficking are all connected

· Describe early intervention, support systems, and holistic therapy options to help heal trauma

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