Minnesota’s Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) Task Force acknowledges and addresses the historic, persistent, human, and Indigenous rights violations and abuses found within the state. The Task Force is intent on unearthing the root causes behind the historic violence against Indigenous women, girls, and two spirit (LGBTQQIA) people in Minnesota. It reflects the collaboration of 27 Task Force members and other key stakeholders, calling for systemic legislative and social changes to resolve the crisis that has devastated Indigenous communities across our state and this country for far too long. The unique report includes mandates aiming to reduce and end violence against Indigenous women, girls, and two spirit people in Minnesota. It will serve as a road map for the Commissioner of Public Safety, other state agencies, and organizations that provide legal, social, and other community services throughout Minnesota. Most importantly, information presented in this report reflects the truths of survivors of violence, family members, community members, government agencies, and experts. The MMIW Report was compiled over more than a year of public hearings, community conversations, interviews with experts, and evidence gathering and delivers 20 mandates for systemic and community change directed at government, institutions, social service providers, industries, and all Minnesotans. These proposed mandates recognize and consider the multigenerational and intergenerational trauma and marginalization of Indigenous communities through poverty; insecure housing and homelessness; and barriers to education, employment, health care, and cultural support. It also addresses specific colonial and patriarchal policies that have diminished their status in society, leaving them vulnerable to violence.

Presentation Objectives:

· Introduce the process of creating a MMIW task force through legislation

· Explain timeline and process of the task force

· Describe the recommendations put forth by the task force

Read More

At least 15% of adults in Lucas County have experienced four or more Adverse Childhood Experiences with rates up to 18% and 27% for African Americans and Latinos respectively (Lucas County Health Assessment, 2021). The Adverse Childhood Experience study, originally done by Kaiser Permanente in the 1990s, has led to numerous studies on the topic; however, information on the impact and prevalence of trauma is not enough to help people know what to do about trauma (Leitch, 2017). Formed in 2015, the Lucas County Trauma-Informed Care Coalition started to increase awareness of trauma informed care. The coalition has continued to meet, network, educate, and reduce barriers to accessing trauma informed resources, yet the work has not stopped with the coalition. Through the work of Dr. Adrienne Elhai and a planning team as part of a grant received from the National Childhood Traumatic Stress Network, a cross-sectional group of Lucas County leaders was brought together in August 2019 to view Resilience: The Biology of Stress & the Science of Hope (KPJR Films, 2016). This event began the work of the Lucas County Leaders for a trauma-informed community. The workshop will describe the documented efforts that have been underway to create a more trauma informed community. By building on the work of individuals and organizations, this group uses data, collaboration, and peer groups to educate, support, and work on actionable goals towards being more trauma informed.

Presentation Objectives:

· Define trauma-informed community

· Articulate the importance of becoming a trauma-informed community

· Identify steps Lucas County has taken to become a trauma-informed community

Read More

“Traumatized people of all ages and cultural backgrounds [are] extremely resilient when they [are] involved in work…For people threatened by violence, work becomes the anchor that holds them steady within their old world as a new one is being formed” (Mollica, 2008). Guided by internationally recognized trauma research like Dr. Mollica’s, The Market Project (TMP) is committed to serve survivors of exploitation, violence, and human trafficking. TMP leverages the economic power of the marketplace to employ survivors in need of a stable job and healing. TMP creates jobs that are dignity-affirming and safe. Although difficult to quantify the impact of work alone on personal identity, self-esteem, and social recognition, studies indicate that a workplace can significantly impact one’s mental well-being (ILO 2000, McDonald 2011, Surtees 2013). Access to a healthy workplace is often a critical gap for survivors in need of long-term healing. At least two generations in northern Uganda have experienced deep pain stemming from chronic poverty and the country’s 20-year war. TMP works to implement best practices in the trauma-informed work environment at Nguvu Dairy, a business with a workforce of about 100 dispersed at 7 locations in northern Uganda. TMP will share lessons learned from five years of operation, including practical takeaways attendees can implement to support more effective economic recovery opportunities for survivors in resource-scare environments. Attendees will gain practical tips on operating a trauma-informed workplace: building a brand on excellence; identifying cultural bridges for partnership with other organizations; and normalizing self-care among managers.

Presentation Objectives:

· Discuss ways to empower local communities—specifically, Ugandans and other relevant developing country contexts—to run and operate a locally-owned business driven by trauma-informed principles and serve survivors of exploitation

· Share lessons learned from the first five years of operations, particularly those that are relevant to organizations operating social impact businesses for survivors of human trafficking and exploitation in Western contexts

· Discuss tips for partnering with like-minded organizations to provide culturally competent services in resource-scare environments

Read More

Seeking to make profit, human traffickers cause their victims to commit illegal acts like prostitution, theft, trespass, and drug crimes. As a result, survivors accumulate long records of arrests, convictions, and adjudications—sometimes exceeding 100 contacts with the legal system. The records become obstacles to recovery, employment, housing, education, family reunification, and other aspects of successful community integration. In 2012, Ohio’s “Safe Harbor Law” offered a remedy called expungement to stop offense-records from harming survivors’ futures (HB 262 (2012); ORC §2152.021(F), §2953.38.) During the last 4 years, Ohio significantly expanded expungement opportunities for survivors of sex trafficking (S.B. 4 (2018), HB 431 (2021)). Ohio also expanded eligibility for record sealing and other criminal-record-mitigating legal remedies for rehabilitated community members. Today, under these new laws, Ohio’s courts allow some—but not all—survivors a true second chance (e.g., Juvenile Human Trafficking, Safe Harbor Response Bench Card, OH Supreme Court.) This presentation addresses the opportunities and limitations in Ohio’s laws to remove offense-records in the juvenile and adult criminal legal systems—and, consequently, to reduce lifelong reentry barriers. After attending this workshop, audience members will: 1) understand criminal/juvenile records, background checks, and the barriers they create; 2) understand why human trafficking survivors have these records; 3) understand new laws, processes, and impacts related to expungement, record sealing, Certificates of Qualification for Employment, pardons, and more; and 4) understand relevant “calls to action” for professionals in social work, counseling, therapy, chemical dependency, DODD, health, nursing, law, and other fields.

Presentation Objectives:

· Explain why and how survivors need to remove their criminal/juvenile offense records

· Focus on remedial legal strategies--used after survivors have been defendants/ accused-persons for offenses and were put into the criminal/juvenile legal systems

· Discuss how attendees can impact and access tools like expungement and record sealing

Read More

The discovery, investigation, and prosecution of commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC) often relies upon victim disclosure (Lavoie et al., 2019; Sutorius & Kaldal, 2003). Despite the importance of best-practice interviewing methods to elicit disclosures from victims of CSEC, the topic remains largely unexplored by researchers. To address this critical gap in the literature, the researchers retrospectively surveyed 58 adults (88% women; Mage = 36 years) with self-reported histories of CSEC. Participants were recruited from anti-trafficking agencies across the United States. Participants were surveyed on (1) their experiences with law enforcement, if applicable; and (2) whether they disclosed their involvement in the sex trade to anyone prior to the survey. Sixty-two percent (n = 36) reported law enforcement contact during their involvement in the sex trade, while 38% (n = 22) reported no contact. Among those who indicated law enforcement contact, 67% (n = 24) were reportedly interviewed about their involvement in the sex trade. Participants’ evaluations and satisfaction with their interviewing experiences will be discussed. Of those who reported no law enforcement contact, 68% (n = 15) indicated they never considered disclosing to authorities. Fifty-five percent (n = 12) reportedly disclosed to non-law enforcement personnel prior to the survey. Disclosure recipient, reasons for disclosure reluctance, and individual factors associated with disclosure will be discussed. The presenter will conclude with (1) recommendations for future research; (2) individual and legal ramifications of nondisclosure; and (3) implications for novel interviewing strategies, alongside policy and practice, to bolster CSEC victims’ willingness to provide comprehensive and accurate disclosures.

Presentation Objectives:

· Discuss findings from a retrospective survey of adults with self-reported histories of commercial sexual exploitation in childhood

· Describe the ramifications of nondisclosure and implications for best-practice forensic interviewing methods with victims of commercial sexual exploitation in childhood

Read More

Renee has struggled over 40 years to find peace within herself as she has endured a very complex childhood of abuse and child trafficking. Now, Renee is ready in her journey to share her story and to help others by enlightening others on ways to start living the life they so well deserve and quit holding back from the feelings of not feeling good enough and not feeling worthy. During this presentation, Renee will also talk about how this starts with forgiveness – forgiveness of ourselves, of our predators, of our families, and of the ones that made a huge impact on why we have carried the “bricks of burden” for so many years. Renee will demonstrate how this can be done by utilizing various exercises that not only clears our subconscious minds, but also our hearts, by knowing that we do matter, and that we have a life of abundance to live, no matter what we have endured.

Presentation Objectives:

· Share the presenter’s struggles of worthiness and belonging as a survivor of human trafficking

· Share ways to become vulnerable within ourselves

· Discuss various exercises and how to implement them, to be free from a life of not feeling worthy or belonging

· Describe how the presenter’s life has changed by moving forward in the present and not by living in the past

Read More

Human trafficking (HT) is a serious crime and human rights violation as well as a public health issue with significant health consequences. There has been little research investigating the preparedness of health facilities to serve HT survivors. The purpose of this study is to describe the needs of health facilities in Michigan related to education, screening, and response for HT. This study used a cross-sectional design. The state was split into regions, then sampled according to health facility type. An email invitation was sent between May-June 2019 with a link to a 26-item survey. Participating facilities (n=47) included health departments, federally qualified health centers, and hospitals. Results demonstrate the majority of health facilities had screening policies and response protocols related to child maltreatment and intimate partner violence. However, the number of facilities that had a screening policy (40.9%) and response protocol for HT (64.3%) was much lower, with more facilities focusing on sex trafficking than labor trafficking. Health facilities reported that their top needs related to HT included: 1) individual-level healthcare provider training; 2) health-facility level screening policies and response protocols; 3) community-level resources; and 4) societal-level awareness, funding allocation, and data. Despite an increasing focus on educating healthcare providers about HT, there is a need for facility-level resources to ensure that healthcare providers have adequate training and support. The results of this study were used to create a website, continuing education module, and four videos focused on the healthcare provider response from survivor, legal, and healthcare perspectives. Other contributing members of this presentation include Dana Beck, PhD, FNP-BC and Bridgette Carr, JD.

Presentation Objectives:

· Discuss the role of health facilities in education, screening, and response for human trafficking

· Describe practical strategies that can be used at a system-level to support individual healthcare provider responses to human trafficking

Read More

Since 2015, the Minnesota Department of Health and Wilder Research have leveraged a unique partnership to conduct biennial evaluations of Safe Harbor, a statewide initiative to address sex and labor trafficking of youth. Currently in its fourth cycle, evaluation questions have included: 1) What are the impacts of Safe Harbor? 2) What challenges impede the success of Safe Harbor? and 3) To what extent is Safe Harbor culturally appropriate for youth of all backgrounds? There is a lack of empirical research on identifying, serving, and preventing youth trafficking, particularly methods that are culturally appropriate. However, at least 5,000 Minnesota youth report engaging in transactional sex (Minnesota Student Survey, 2019). To address this gap, several methodologies have been used, including surveys and interviews with youth and stakeholders and analysis of client data. Findings include: 1) Safe Harbor provides services that would otherwise be unavailable, 2) Safe Harbor draws on youth, grantee, and state strengths to positively impact youth, and 3) systemic challenges and service, training, and information gaps limit Safe Harbor’s impact. Data collection for the fourth cycle is on-going and focuses on the cultural appropriateness of services; these findings will be presented. Recommendations include: 1) address missing or inconsistent services, 2) enhance evaluation efforts, and 3) improve prevention efforts. There may be additional recommendations related to cultural appropriateness. This presentation also showcases how an iterative evaluation approach and a unique partnership between a state public health department and a community-based research organization has improved Safe Harbor and increased its impact.

Presentation Objectives:

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

· Describe recommendations based on the evaluation

· Describe a unique partnership between a state public health department and a community-based research organization that could be replicated

Read More