Over the past 20 years, there has been increased attention on the involvement of strangulation within interpersonal violence and sexual violence situations from law enforcement and medical professionals as the prevalence, lethality, and near invisibility of the evidence has emerged. Little research has been done to explore the use of strangulation by sex traffickers. From a nine-year study of 725 police records in Las Vegas, 118 (16.3%) reported experiencing strangulation during their sex trafficking victimization. Non-fatal strangulation was more often reported by adult victims when compared to minor victims. Victims who reported non-fatal strangulation were more likely reported along with experiencing kidnapping, their sex trafficker had a weapon, and were more likely to report having been recruited through romance. The implications of this study are critically important to how society views sex trafficking victims and their forced criminal behavior.

Presentation Objectives:

· Provide an overview of non-fatal strangulation in interpersonal violence relationships

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

· Discuss how this information can be used by practitioners, law enforcement, and prosecutors

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For survivors working to regain a life post trafficking and learn ways to help their mind heal from trauma, bodily healing is just as important. It's not only good mental health practices, but also physically restorative practices that will bring survivors from surviving to thriving. This session will teach participants the positive impacts of fitness and wellness programming for survivors of trafficking. They will learn about approachable activities well suited for survivors to take part in, ways to encourage others to pursue activity to bolster their healing journey, about trauma informed fitness instruction, and helping survivors find their “fit.”

Presentation Objectives:

· Offer compelling and meaningful messaging to survivors and service providers, encouraging them to pursue health and wellness activities

· Discuss wellness activities that are appropriate, effective, and sustainable for survivors

· Identify qualities of an affective instructor and ways to help the instructor be trauma informed in their role

· Address vicarious trauma/self-care for providers

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Screening victims of human trafficking presents challenges for both law enforcement and social service providers, especially when immigration status is involved. Nevertheless, immigration questions should not be avoided, and instead leaned into, as a way to increase positive outcomes for both law enforcement and survivors. As such, the presenter believes anti-human trafficking screeners should be aware of immigration issues, but the inquiries must be presented in a trauma and immigration informed way. The T Visa provides immigration relief for human trafficking victims. If granted a T Visa, the foreign national obtains legal status for four years, a work permit, and the opportunity to apply for a green card. In order to receive a T Visa, an applicant is usually required to reach out to law enforcement and comply with their investigation. This benefits both human trafficking survivors by finding immigration relief and assists law enforcement with trafficking investigations and prosecutions. The government allotted 5,000 T Visas for 2020. Unfortunately, the T Visa is underutilized, with just 500 granted in 2019 (2020 Trafficking in Persons Report). The reasons surrounding this dismal grant ratio are many; however, if screeners are asking trauma and immigration informed questions, and making appropriate referrals, the approval rate for the T Visa, and the prosecution rate for traffickers, will rise. This presentation will educate screeners on how to screen human trafficking victims in a trauma and immigration informed way, to improve outcomes for both survivors and law enforcement.

Presentation Objectives:

· Discuss risk factors and available relief for immigrant trafficking victims

· Describe trauma and immigrant informed screening for trafficking victims

· Provide recommendations on referrals and services for positive screens

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The Black Lives Matter movement poses some serious challenges to the anti-trafficking movement. Putting clinical and judicial experiences with human trafficking survivors in conversation with academic theory and reflection, this presentation will explore some of the racialized history of today’s anti-trafficking movement through attention to the influence of the social purity movement, and especially its preoccupation with “white slavery” on today’s anti-trafficking movement (Blakemore, 2019; Clark, 1991; Dozema, 2000, 2010; Irwin, 2000; Pascoe, 1990; Zimmerman 2013). In light of the need to address systemic racism, attention will be given to the ways the movement continues to be impacted by racism (Banks, Duren & Kyckelhahn, 2011; Butler, 2015; Kim, 2020; Ritchie & Jones-Brown, 2017). Participants will be invited to consider their own biases and blind spots when it comes to the movement, with the goal of developing antiracist practices of activism and advocacy.

Presentation Objectives:

· Describe some of the overtly racist history of the modern anti-trafficking movement, and modern-day implications

· Discuss next steps for service providers and the agencies for whom they work toward equitable postures, policies, and practices

· Explain the intersection of anti-human trafficking with other social justice movements including today’s Black Lives Matter movement

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This session presents the findings from interviews with sex workers about their experiences of violence and trafficking in the sex industry in New Zealand, a country where prostitution is decriminalized. As a community-based participatory research project, sex workers led the research process to gather information and answer the following research questions: 1) How does decriminalization of prostitution impact violence, exploitation, and trafficking in the sex industry? and 2) What can sex workers do if they encounter violence, exploitation, or trafficking? The study’s findings reveal how decriminalization of prostitution impacts exploitation and trafficking in the sex industry. In particular, sex workers identified and discussed violence, safety, and their access to resources if and when they encounter violence or coercion. Also included is a discussion about sex workers’ experiences with the police and the community organization, the New Zealand Prostitutes Collective, when they do encounter violence or exploitation. And finally, participants explain how this legislation can help to reduce violence against sex workers. This research draws on interviews with 33 sex workers and 34 individuals who work closely with sex workers (including brothel operators, clients, social service agents, health professionals, and others, many of whom were also sex workers or had been sex workers in the past) (total=67).

Presentation Objectives:

· Reveal an impression of the level of violence, exploitation, and trafficking that sex workers experience in a country where prostitution is decriminalized

· Bring to light strategies that sex workers use to combat or reduce the level of violence that they may be subjected to (including trafficking), and to make known the amount of control sex workers have over the services they provide

· Describe how New Zealand’s legislative model enhances or impinges on sex worker’s health, safety, and well-being

· Uncover and identify any structural or legislative changes that may be needed to further reduce violence and trafficking against sex workers

· Reveal an impression of the level of violence and trafficking overall that sex workers may be experiencing in a decriminalized environment

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Digitalization has given rise to trafficking for ransom through use of extortion via mobile phones. This type of trafficking currently affects many refugees, mainly in Libya. The link between digitalization and human trafficking has been described, but not yet explained. Refugees often traverse “black holes” in the digital landscape, depending on “gatekeepers” for information and services. Qualitative research is used to answer the question: How does the concept of gatekeeping explain the effect of digitalization on human trafficking trajectories of Eritrean refugees on the Central Mediterranean Route? Particularly violent modus operandi have emerged with increasing amounts of victims and money involved (Van Reisen & Mawere, 2017). For example, refugees frequently are affected by extortion for ransom, being forced to call their relatives to pay under torture and threats of death (Van Reisen et. al., 2019). This research looks at the experiences of Eritrean refugees through ethnographic interviews and makes sense of the data through the theoretical lens of gatekeeping theory. The research has so far shown that Eritrean refugees are a “gated” community which is affected by lack of informational tools, but also physical alternatives, which perpetuates their vulnerability to trafficking. Lack of understanding into complexities of digitalization leads to policy approaches which do not fit the reality. Digitalization is a driver of new forms of trafficking, threatening to lead to increasingly risk-free environments for traffickers, as the refugees form a fully closed-off, “gated” community. Without adequate understanding of this in policy making, traffickers remain free to exploit this situation.

Presentation Objectives:

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

· Emphasize the importance of participant experiences in this type of research

· Illicit thoughts and discussion about the role of digitalization in human trafficking through the case study presented in this research

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The sexual exploitation of Indigenous women and girls has historical implications from early settler contact in Canada. Indigenous women have been the targets to break down a nation of people and build the backbone of Canada through patriarchal policies and laws that continue to oppress and marginalize Indigenous people (Stevenson, 2011). They have experienced and continue to experience many forms of abuse, violence, discrimination, and racism because these forms of oppression are deeply rooted in Canada's colonial structures (Razack, 2000). The research question that guided this study is: How do Indigenous ceremonies and teachings contribute to the healing needs of sexually exploited women? 10 Indigenous women took part in a time commitment that included gathering on four days during the research process to explore how traditional Indigenous teaching and ceremonies could help in their healing journeys. Data gathering was comprised of multiple recorded talking circles, participatory research engagement through relationship, and one-on-one interviews. The findings shed light on the importance of how 1) Indigenous epistemes contribute to the healing needs of women who experience sexual exploitation, 2) the complexities involved in healing, 3) the critical role of ceremonies in preventing this form of violence, and 4) the development of support and therapeutic programming based on traditional ceremonies and teachings. This presentation concludes with policy recommendations focusing on decolonization, survivor engagement policies, social work recommendations, decolonizing curriculum, decolonizing social work practice and theory, non-judgmental social work practice, and centering Indigenous methodologies within mainstream research and academia.

Presentation Objectives:

· Provide an overview of the study, include Indigenous approaches to research, methods, methodologies, and findings

· Provide implications and recommendation based on the research that supports decolonizing social work practice and research within and for Indigenous populations

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As a child and teen, Frances developed a hyper-sexualized persona, and after leaving the world of trafficking, struggled to relate outside of the context of sex. This left her feeling isolated, rejected, and vulnerable to re-exploitation. Frances wanted to find her unique identity and realized she could not do this alone - she needed the support of allies. In this session, Frances will offer real-life examples of how she learned how to see herself and operate as a whole person, build positive connections within her community, and leave a hyper-sexualized persona behind - all with the help and encouragement of survivor allies. Frances will share three specific ways that allies can support survivors who are experiencing these particular challenges: modeling healthy relationships, choosing the survivor, and acknowledging the recovery process. These practices encourage survivors like Frances to discover and shape their new identities. She will explain what was modeled in relationships with her allies, as well as what being chosen meant to her and how it helped in developing a healthy identity. She will also dive into how she found the tenacity to move forward in recovery as her allies acknowledged her healing process. Frances will highlight the transformative power of offering a different perspective to survivors like herself. Finally, she will provide creative ideas for challenging harmful and reinforced self-concepts. Attendees will leave the session with practical insights that will be helpful to both survivors and their allies as they relate in empowering, genuine, and new ways.

Presentation Objectives:

· Describe how a hyper-sexualized persona can create barriers to flourishing after leaving the life

· Identify common mistakes in relating with survivors that discourage, isolate, and disempower

· Discuss ways in which allies and helpers can effectively come alongside survivors as they reshape their identities from victim to thriver

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Increased understanding and awareness of the issue of human trafficking has been identified as an important first step to engagement in anti-trafficking efforts (Busch-Armendariz, Nsonwu & Heffron, 2018). However, Countryman-Roswurm & Brackin (2017) argue that human trafficking awareness efforts are rarely intentional and can sometimes be harmful in re-exploiting survivors. Organizations leading anti-trafficking efforts who intentionally and meaningfully promote human rights approaches may utilize digital activism strategies to increase visibility of the issue, to build community in support of solutions, and to encourage planning and capacity building behind the movement (Jenkins, Ford & Green, 2013; Tufekci, 2017). One women’s civic leadership nonprofit organization, the Junior League of Greater Orlando (JLGO), sought to raise awareness of human trafficking across Florida’s Interstate 4 (I-4) Corridor via a campaign in partnership with the Junior League of Daytona Beach and the Junior League of Tampa. This Coast-to-Coast campaign ran each day in January 2019 for human trafficking awareness month. Each post featured an image of a community leader with a corresponding anti-trafficking quote. JLGO’s Facebook analytics revealed an increase in page views and reach while Instagram analytics similarly increased in reach, actions taken, and impressions. This presentation describes the creation and execution of the Coast-to-Coast campaign and outlines its positive results. Attendees will better understand how to partner with other organizations across geographical boundaries to raise awareness of human trafficking via a social media campaign. Lessons learned will allow for more successful digital activism in the future.

Presentation Objectives:

· Discuss benefits and drawbacks of digital activism

· Describe ways organizations can create and execute human trafficking awareness campaigns

· Explain lessons learned and next steps

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The presentation will focus on sex and labor trafficking of individuals with Intellectual Developmental Disabilities (IDD) and their vulnerability to traffickers. Risk factors will be discussed, as well as signs of victimization, trauma, and prevention. Attendees will learn how human trafficking affects individuals with IDD physically and behaviorally. The presenters want to assist you in how to develop, establish protocols, and supports within the DD system. They will also discuss how to implement community integration in a safe and planful manner to protect our individuals from labor trafficking. The presentation will also showcase some labor trafficking stories as examples to protect the DD population from employers who have immoral practices. There will be some cases discussed based on real life experiences, factual data gathered from Disability Right Ohio research, a Disability Fact Sheets, and a powerful video called “The Boys of Atalissa”, IA. 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, establish protocols, and supports within the DD system

· Discuss how integration in the community can have risk for IDD individuals to be labor trafficked

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Prayas is a field action project of the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) in Mumbai, India that journeys with women formerly exploited for commercial sex towards reconstructing safe and violence-free lives. The Indian government’s imposition of a lockdown to control the COVID-19 spread led Prayas to undertake a needs assessment study to examine immediate and far-reaching impact of the lockdown and strategize future intervention. The lockdown challenged women’s access to basic necessities like food, shelter, water, child support, and medical care. Their distress, largely invisible to the state, civil society, and community, was compounded by their exclusion from relief and welfare measures. They were considered less deserving of support, or they isolated themselves knowing that their departure from family and community would invite social ostracism. Experiences with loneliness, social exclusion, and threats from traffickers apart, a few women deliberated engaging with exploitative agents like pimps and money lenders; this time, with “consent”. Having been stigmatized and socially distanced from family and community for many years account for their non-normative gender pathways and coping strategies, and their predicaments during the pandemic were aggravated. Based on voices of seventeen (17) respondents of the study, and another ten (10) women who reached out to Prayas for support, this presentation discusses how women navigated through the COVID-19 pandemic, and their journeys to reclaim agency over their lives and choices. Juxtaposing women’s experiences of social distancing during the pandemic with that across their life stages, it argues for socially just rehabilitation and inclusive intervention strategies.

Presentation Objectives:

· Voice the circumstances of women formerly exploited for commercial sex, and make visible their challenges, distress, and agency

· Highlight the need for state and other social supports to socially distanced and stigmatized individuals, groups, and communities

· Lend insight into pathways for intervention to protect women from leading aggravated marginalized lives in crises and prevent re-trafficking

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Human trafficking for the purpose of organ removal (HTPOR) has remained a subject of unconfirmed reports but since the 1980s, a growing body of research by medical anthropologists, journalists, and academics has shown that it is a global phenomenon (OSCE, 2013). However, a large proportion of debate on the crime has focused on addressing the shortage of organs by developing systems to promote altruistic donation of organs, leaving behind a wide gap in the body of research that focuses on the serious human rights abuses faced by victim-donors, and the need to protect and promote these rights. This presentation seeks to highlight and address this gap by answering the question: "What rights do HTPOR victims have and how can they be protected?" A desk-based methodology analyzing a broad selection of journal articles, cases, and newspaper reports, alongside a human-rights based approach is used. This approach acknowledges that trafficking in persons is first a violation of human rights to which everyone is entitled (UN. OHCHR, 2015). Findings focus on the trends and patterns of HTPOR; operations of organ trafficking networks; consequence of HTPOR on victim-donors; the inherent human rights violations suffered by victim-donors; and five case studies highlighting active organ black market where victim-donors are sourced. Findings show that processes involved in HTPOR infringes on one or more rights of victims involved. This presentation concludes with recommendations for the international and regional community to set up needed support mechanisms for victim-donors to exercise their human rights in the face of such cruel and degrading treatment by organ traffickers.

Presentation Objectives:

· Describe "Human Trafficking for the Purpose of Organ Removal" (HTPOR)

· Discuss the research that was conducted using a desk-based methodology, with in-depth study and analysis

· Showcase and draw the attention of the international community to the human rights abuses faced by HTPOR victim-donors, with the aim of reigniting conversations around the promotion and protection of their rights

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This presentation will provide a basic overview of human trafficking, focusing on both domestic and foreign trafficking as well as labor and sex trafficking. Topics will include the definition of human trafficking, how traffickers recruit, indicators for victim identification, the impact of social media, and how individuals can make a difference in helping to combat and end human trafficking. Using the most current research and resources, the presentation is designed not only to educate but empower the participant.

Presentation Objectives:

· Provide responsible facts about human trafficking

· Educate about current laws

· Identify labor and sex trafficking concerns

· Empower participants to make a difference

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Child exploitation and trafficking in Vietnam, particularly children living in the streets and children with disabilities, presents in the form of forced street hawking/begging, labor trafficking, and sex trafficking (US State Department, 2016). Children and youth who have experienced these types of traumatic events are at increased risk of long-term mental health conditions: brain changes, emotional disorders, impaired cognitive functioning, general physical development, and social dysfunction. Yet, psychological and social work services for trafficked children are extremely limited in Vietnam. Approximately 235,000 social welfare personnel, of which 35,000 are professional social workers and 200,000 are welfare staff with no professional background or training, are responsible for addressing this issue (MOLISA, 2020). To address the dearth in trained professionals, Health Right International (HRI) and its local partner, Research and Training Centre for Community Development (RTCCD), successfully implemented a project dedicated to building the local capacity of key stakeholders to support vulnerable children and families to deal with the psychosocial consequences of trafficking. Further, the project involved direct psychological interventions, both individual and group therapies, to enhance child mental health and well-being. Due to COVID-19 precautions, 2021 project adaptations will utilize an online platform for upskilling social welfare personnel, considering IT limitations in some areas of the country and staff movement restrictions. This presentation is intended to provide attendees with information on the lessons learned related to upskilling child protection providers. This includes training results, participants’ feedback and shared experiences, and further training/intervention needs.
Presentations Objectives:

· Describe the risk factors that make children more susceptible to sex/labor traffickers

· Discuss content development for training welfare staff engaged in supporting child protection and the survivors of human trafficking

· Explain training evaluation and assessment methods for upskilling providers to support young survivors of trafficking and exploitation

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The Journey of Grace retreats are specifically designed for trafficked survivors. It is the only weekend, therapeutic program offered completely free of charge to women who have endured domestic sex trafficking. The presentation will address best practices in working with the deep seeded issues of trauma associated with trafficking through mind, body, and soul activities. The presentation will discuss evidence based therapeutic needs of survivor’s mental health and recommendations on helping survivors heal. The presenter will explain how to utilize survivor leaders in helping survivors move past their life-long hurts while living in this world. This presentation will provide the learner with data on the complexities of trauma to better understand the mental health needs of survivors. It will also provide examples of sessions and the reasoning behind each class offered. Finally, the presenter will discuss the importance of “play”, choices, accessing the “inner child”, trust exercises, and how to have healthy relationships.

Presentation Objectives:

· Describe the complexities of trauma and how it manifests itself

· Offer recommendations on how to help survivors of human trafficking heal and move past their trauma

· Explain how the retreats address the deep seeded issues of childhood trauma

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The CDC offers specific guidance for a public health approach to violence prevention across multiple forms of violence. Still, many human trafficking advocates are often unsure what works as a “best practice” in trafficking prevention, say there are no “best practices,” or struggle to apply the public health approach to violence prevention in meaningful ways. In 2020, the NC Coalition Against Sexual Assault began developing additional resources to support human trafficking prevention work specific to sexual violence that occurs in the context of trafficking within commercial sex or other labor settings, including a Human Trafficking Prevention Toolkit and the Reframing Human Trafficking Prevention intensive training. In this presentation, attendees will receive an overview of the Human Trafficking Prevention Toolkit, learn strategies for incorporating elements of the toolkit into effective prevention strategies, and will learn more about the Reframing Human Trafficking Prevention training model.

Presentation Objectives:

· Introduce the public health model of violence prevention

· Discuss how effective prevention with an anti-oppression lens requires shifts in framework and worldview in addition to skills and awareness

· Review an effective model for training prevention educators

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There has been an increased focus in recent years on the provision of specialized community-based and residential services to survivors of human trafficking (HT). This includes multiple state/federal legislative initiatives to address the challenges of service needs, trauma, policy, and funding. As a result, there has been a growth in providers specializing in serving this population; however, there remains limited research towards best practice. The presenters believe in the value of clearly identifying best practices and providing guidance for service provision as a resource for providers, community partners, funders, and others addressing policy and practice related to HT. To address the gap in information on best practice in serving sex and labor trafficking survivors, the Administration for Children and Families Region 4 HT Advisory Group developed a best practices framework to guide and evaluate agencies providing services to this population. Pulling from existing research on best practices in victim services and other key sources (e.g., OVC), authors included 15 key principles with resources and strategies for application along with an assessment tool. This presentation provides the history and purpose of the Guiding Principles. It addresses each of the 15 principles, their practical application in the field, and an overview of the Self-Assessment Tool. Attendees will be able to assess their agency/community/state policies and practices across the focus areas and build a plan for applying the principles in their work. Participation will facilitate building capacity for service providers who are new to the field and enhance service structures for experienced providers.

Presentation Objectives:

· Discuss the history and purpose of the Guiding Principles for Agencies Serving Survivors of Human Trafficking

· Examine the intention and practical application of each Guiding Principle

· Show how the self-assessment tool can be used to evaluate capacity to provide services to survivors of human trafficking

· Provide existing resources to support organizational change

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National Crime Records Bureau in its crime report for India in 2018 reflected a continuous increase in the number of cases of human trafficking from 918 (2016) to 1127 (2017) to 1313 (2018) (NCRB, 2019). The research study focuses on scheme initiated by the Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India in 2007 with Rehabilitation & Protective (R&P) Home. Participatory action research was utilized for the study including active participation with the beneficiaries of R&P homes. The sampling was used to answer three research questions: 1) What are the factors that facilitate effective rehabilitation at R&P Homes? 2) What are the factors that deter effective rehabilitation at R&P Homes? and 3) What are the factors that facilitate effective re-integration post their exit from R&P Homes? Eighty-three (83) women who were victims of commercial sexual exploitation residing at 14 R&P homes in 7 states in India were interviewed between the years 2018 to 2021 through conversational interviews. The findings of the research focused on four main factors: 1) lack of psychological assistance, 2) prevalence of maladaptive coping mechanisms, 3) absence of financial independence, and 4) victimization by stakeholders of the anti-trafficking mechanism. The results of the study indicate that victims of commercial sexual exploitation residing at R&P Homes required dedicated financial and psychological assistance for holistic rehabilitation. This presentation concludes with recommendations for a Holistic Victim Inclusive Rehabilitation for victims of commercial sexual exploitation dedicating the role of every stakeholder of the anti-trafficking movement towards effective rehabilitation and reintegration.

Presentation Objectives:

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

· Explain the implications and recommendations of the research

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