From the Voices of Domestic Sex Trafficking Survivors: Experiences of Complex Trauma and Posttraumatic Growth


Heather Evans, DSW, LCSW | September 24 | 10:15-11:15 AM

Topic: Art, Direct Service | Knowledge Level: Intermediate

Through the lens of complex trauma and posttraumatic growth, this workshop will share recent findings from a qualitative study of 15 domestic sex trafficking survivors that focused on the impact and experiences of domestic sex trafficking survivors (Padgett, 2017). Through rich data from interviews and photovoice captioned images, workshop participants will hear and see direct evidence of the aspects of complex trauma as well as the capacity for posttraumatic growth (Tedeschi and Calhoun 2004; Tedeschi & Calhoun, 2006; Spinazzola et. al., 2001; Choi et. al., 2009). Finally, workshop participants will receive recommendations directly from the voices of survivors on what factors help or hinder community reintegration (Evans, 2022).

Presentation Objectives:

·  Discuss complex trauma and how it is observed in victims of domestic sex trafficking

·  Discuss posttraumatic growth and how it is observed in victims of domestic sex trafficking

·  Provide recommendations for post-trafficking community reintegration that come directly from survivors of sex trafficking

About the Presenter