This is a first-hand account of efforts made to expand a social justice writing mentoring internship during the COVID-19 changes to universities and public schools starting March of 2020. Fearless Writers was created 5 years ago as a way to introduce interprofessional college students to the lived experience of people from different neighborhoods with the hope of countering the impact of neighborhood segregation common within the United States while also fostering high school student voice and advocacy. Fearless Writers serves as a creative writing community and a space for youth research on topics like neighborhood segregation, gun violence, and the historic contribution of the Black community to the Toledo area. Over the past year, the group created small written pieces as evidence of thoughts and feelings shared by members during a time of health and racial crisis. The presenters will reflect on the experience of continuing Fearless Writers in a virtual format for academic year 2020/2021 with the risk of not knowing what would happen to the project that was constantly shifting while the local and state government were scrambling to plan for community safety. The audience will have an opportunity to consider the importance of youth voices to an understanding of social injustice and learn about creative solutions to raising awareness about important issues to youth in our communities.

Presentation Objectives:

· Consider the importance of creative expression to developing political agency

· Discuss the importance of youth perspective on healing after an international health crisis

· Describe the impact a writing community can have on social separation and act as an intervention to raise awareness about implicit bias

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This presentation will be conducted by Anne and Melissa, who are Human Trafficking Navigators that have worked together in bordering communities for the last three years. Through their experience, cases of human trafficking and providing person-centered and trauma-informed responses to victims are more successful when there is a healthy, functioning team response. The presentation will cover ideas for creating and maintaining successful multi-disciplinary teams and includes components in each section of the training specific to communities bordering state lines and/or communities that border a reservation where trafficking cases may overlap. Anne and Melissa will discuss what they have learned through team development and provide ideas for ongoing rapport building within the team, how to increase trust, how to navigate dynamics of local teams, the importance of proper education, and concepts for managing conflict. Attendees will learn new ideas for team engagement with an understanding of the importance of including trauma-informed and socio-ecological concepts when creating and maintaining their local teams. The goal of this presentation is for teams to understand potential barriers to victims receiving efficient services and responses to their trafficking experience, with an emphasis on the additional barriers and dynamics when involving bordering communities and reservations. Attendees will gain perspective on the importance of prioritizing relationship-building within their team and communities to ensure success in these cases and, more importantly, victim recovery.

Presentation Objectives:

· Provide an overview of local multi-disciplinary teams (MDTs) and their importance in human trafficking responses

· Discuss personal experience in creating MDTs, including the successes and conflicts/barriers that arise and how to navigate them

· Explain the importance of proper education and incorporating trauma-informed and socio-ecological concepts within team development and maintenance

· Provide ideas for implementation strategies to utilize while engaging local MDTs in bordering communities and on reservations

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Sex workers are denied or forcefully deprived of their very basic rights which are required to live as a human being (i.e., education, health, privacy, and most importantly dignity or self-respect). The very simple understanding of the universal definition of “human rights” is that every human being, irrespective of his/her sex, caste, creed, religion. or any form of identification, has certain basic rights which is a priori (George, Vindhya & Ray, 2010). But when it comes to sex workers, the principles of human rights are ignored, and their profession is labeled as immoral. In the Constituent Assembly Shri Brijeshwar, Prasad argued in favor of legalizing prostitution considering it to be an “old institution” which according to him cannot be abolished. If it is done, it will create a black market and will go underground (Glanville, 1990). The presentation will focus on the following points: 1) Who is a sex worker- legal status in India in the past & present. 2) Society, Morality, and Prostitution: There is something “right” about prostitution, which the law violates by criminalizing it (Shrage, 1994). The role of society in making sex workers untouchables/miserable and promoting discrimination (socially, economically, and legally). 3) Legality of Prostitution in India, and the role of intermediaries in trafficking, corruption, and violence. 4) Health issues in the Red-Light areas in India. 5) And finally certain basic suggestions and recommendations for the same.

Presentation Objectives:

· Identify and describe the socio-legal status of sex workers in India

· Describe the consequences legal loopholes in Indian legislation relating to prostitution

· Propose the proper action plan and policies containing minimum standards of living to all including sex workers

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The worldwide collateral effects of COVID-19 are unequally and disproportionately affecting vulnerable and marginalized populations, among them people in the sex trade. Aid organizations are forced to quickly adapt to this new pandemic reality. Thus, the crisis creates new challenges and exacerbates existing hardships for both the people in the sex trade and aid organizations. Accordingly, the main research question was: "What are the experiences and challenges faced by Israeli people in the sex trade and the aid organizations aiming to help them during the COVID-19 pandemic?" Findings are based on a thematic analysis of naturalistic qualitative interviews conducted during May to December 2020, with representatives of 23 Israeli aid organizations and 20 people with sex trade experience. The interviews with aid organizations' workers revealed an increase in referrals and material and emotional needs among their clients. Focusing on provision of materiel needs while neglecting psychotherapeutic, medical, or advocacy interventions has inevitably influenced aid-work in three central areas: therapeutic relationships, self-perception and self-worth of aid workers, and in revealing organizational strengths. Interviewees in the sex trade described how and to what extent working in sex helped them to cope with COVID-19 related needs, and the obstacles and facilitating factors met when trying to secure aid. Both groups related to the role of online and distance therapeutic interventions during the crisis. The implications focus on policy and direct service recommendations directed at the alleviation of obstacles to providing people in the sex trade with the required assistance in times of crisis.

Presentation Objectives:

· Provide an overview of the study, including main questions, methodology, and findings

· Describe research implications for policy and practice

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Human trafficking survivors often face considerable difficulty securing safe, sustainable employment upon exiting human trafficking and returning to the community. Without safe employment that pays a living wage, people who have been trafficked remain highly vulnerable to ongoing exploitation (Tran et al, 2017). Regenesys BPO is a social enterprise operating in the Philippines for over seven years that provides supported, technology-based employment to survivors of human trafficking, sexual abuse, and intimate violence, together with other vulnerable young people. The company aims not only to provide a living wage through enhanced technical skills and stable employment, but also a context in which survivors can progress toward achieving full and sustained reintegration. Research pertaining to vocational training and supported employment is lacking within the literature on trafficking specific services. Therefore, Regenesys BPO has needed to significantly adapt existing resources and innovate new approaches to ensure survivors can be successful in a competitive work environment. Strategies which are embedded within the workplace include an open, supportive, and nurturing workplace culture, trauma-informed performance management, formalized educational programs addressing physical, mental, social, and financial wellbeing, and workplace counseling (Gill & Tsai, 2018). The enterprise’s accumulated experience and emerging research demonstrate sustained improvement in mental health outcomes, increase personal empowerment, and strengthening of personal identity, self-esteem, and core capabilities (Poveda et al, 2019). Attendees will gain a deep appreciation for the significant role of higher skilled and supported workplace environments in survivor recovery and the specific dynamics and strategies within the workplace that support this outcome.

Presentation Objectives:

· Discuss the importance of sustained, decent employment for survivors

· Describe the role of the workplace in survivor recovery and reintegration

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Within the last few years, the healthcare field has begun to address human trafficking by identifying and responding to patients who may have experienced trafficking. Innovative work has identified red flags that healthcare providers can look for and training has been developed on trauma-informed care. For the survivors who receive these services, the care can be life changing. In public health, the border of health work extends beyond treatment to also include prevention, like promoting healthy eating and physical activity to prevent diabetes. The same can be done in the area of human trafficking, looking upstream for ways to prevent trafficking from happening, protecting people from the abuse and trauma. One way that healthcare can prevent trafficking is through addressing forced labor in the production of medical supplies, especially in Asia. Labor trafficking is involved in the production of many goods that are used every day by consumers and businesses. Some progress has been made in the apparel and electronics industry regarding forced labor, and healthcare also has a role to play. In response to this need, CommonSpirit Health is developing a program to identify high risk products and work with suppliers to create safeguards for workers to prevent labor trafficking. Other healthcare systems are invited to join this work so that no harm will be done– to either the patients or those who make the products needed for patient care.

Presentation Objectives:

· Provide an overview of labor trafficking in supply chains generally

· Describe how the supply chain of healthcare products are also part of this system

· Explain how the healthcare field can address this issue, thereby reducing labor trafficking

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Given the international nature of offenses about child sexual exploitation material (CSEM), the current presentation highlights the importance of conducting a comparative analysis of this offending group across the Australian and U.S. federal court jurisdictions. The researchers note that compared with the literature on victims of child exploitation, limited research has explored the characteristics of CSEM offenders. Further, little research has explored the messages delivered by the judiciary during sentencing regarding CSEM offenses. Exploring this data source offers substantive information about the offender, victim, and broader community and offers insight into the harmfulness of the crime. The objectives of this presentation are to: (1) identify any differences in the demographic characteristics of the cases (e.g., age, race, occupation, ethnicity), (2) explore the differences in the messaging of judicial sentencing remarks, and (3) obtain a deeper understanding on the characteristics of CSEM offenders and explore the censure sentencing judiciary impart. This presentation is an extension of the earlier studies conducted by the presenters in their respective jurisdictions and will discuss the current literature, which draws from the two prior studies to present hypothesized results and implications. This presentation should further contribute to an international perspective about both the characteristics of this offending group and the judicial censure delivered. In turn, the information within this presentation can be used to develop a more global holistic approach for preventing and treating CSEM offenses. This research is a valuable resource across multiple disciplines such as psychology, social work, criminology, law enforcement, and the legal professions.

Presentation Objectives:

· Identify differences in the demographic characteristics of the cases

· Explore differences in the messaging of judicial sentencing remarks

· Provide a deeper understanding on the characteristics of CSEM offenders

· Explore the censure sentencing judiciary impart

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Scholars generally agree that exiting street prostitution is a complex process (Dalla, 2006; Baker, Dalla & Williamson, 2010). Unfortunately, women are rarely successful on their first exit attempt. However, studies of prostitution exiting have not adequately addressed women’s difficulties in asking for help in this arduous process, which may explain part of its challenge. This research project explored the concept of asking for help among a sample of 29 substance-using adult women exiting street prostitution in five programs in the greater Philadelphia area. In-depth, semi-structured interviews were analyzed to solicit women’s own understanding of their need for help in the process of exiting. Results indicate that most women found it difficult to ask for help in their exiting process, even though they knew they needed this help. Previous negative experiences with both kins and professionals, shame, and fear of stigma, as well as pride may hinder women from asking for help and serve as barriers to exit. A possible solution lies in taking example from peers with similar lived experience (Deer & Baumgartner, 2019; Hotaling et al., 2004; O’Hagan, 2009). Peers are able to relate to women’s past experiences in prostitution, serve as role models and show women the benefits of asking for help. In conclusion, by closely examining women’s narratives, this presentation sheds light on the neglected issue of asking for help; the study recommends incorporating peer support as role models in programs assisting women who exit street prostitution, similar to how it has been done in the fields of substance abuse treatment (Bassuk et al., 2016; Eddie et al., 2019) and mental health (Gidugu et al., 2015; O’hagan, 2009; Walker & Bryant, 2013) fields.

Presentation Objectives:

· Provide an overview of the study of the influence of support on women's exiting journeys out of street prostitution, including main research questions, methodology, and key findings

· Describe the implications and recommendations related to adopting peer support strategies in programs that assist women exiting street prostitution

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This session presents an overview of human trafficking and illicit massage businesses (IMBs) in Ohio and provides detailed policy recommendations aimed at reducing commercial sexual and labor exploitation within this sector. The study consists of original research that builds upon recent research on IMBs conducted by Polaris (2018), Heyrick (2020), and others. Ohio is unique in the U.S. in that massage therapy is licensed and regulated by the state medical board, but non-therapeutic or “relaxation” massage legally exists with nearly zero oversite or regulation. This loophole in the law has contributed to the spread of IMBs that often exploit primarily foreign workers for commercial sex or forced labor. This study examines the many intersectional causes and effects of this exploitation (e.g., race, culture, class, migration) and offers an overview of currently proposed state legislation (SB 55, HB 81), content analysis and coding of municipal ordinances from 28 different Ohio cities, an examination of Ohio-based IMB advertising and reviews from commercial sex web sites, quantitative analysis of four decades of Ohio media reports accessed from Lexis-Nexis, and formal interviews conducted with seven experts with IMB-related experience in Ohio (including: law enforcement, researchers, advocates, and massage therapists). Findings include an overview of IMBs in Ohio, an evaluation of existing municipal codes relating to IMBs, a set of policy recommendations, and an advocacy strategy and for community activists to create positive change.

Presentation Objectives:

· Provide an overview of the study, including main questions, methodology, and findings

· Describe the implications and recommendations based on the research

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