Trauma-Informed Approaches to Human Trafficking, Intimate Partner Violence, and Sexual Assault Within the Department of Veteran Affairs
Katie Papke, LMSW, CAADC, CHTVSP & Amy Ashcraft, LCSW | September 22 | 10:15-11:15 am
Topic: Direct Service | Knowledge Level: Intermediate
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Veterans Health Administration (VHA) recognizes that human trafficking is a public safety concern. In 2020, the VA National Social Work Program Office, Care Management and Social Work, launched a national human trafficking initiative to better understand the impact of human trafficking within the veteran community. As the largest healthcare system in the nation, the VHA identifies health services as one of the most common points of access to care for victims. There is a nationwide myth that human trafficking does not occur among the United States Veteran population. However, our findings indicate veterans may be at an even greater risk of being trafficked than the general population due to an associated high prevalence of known risk factors such as homelessness, substance use, suicidality, history of witnessing violence, intimate partner violence, sexual assault, and the lack of other social determinants of health (Papke et al., 2022). Healthcare providers often lack knowledge about trafficking or have preconceived notions of how an individual who has experienced trafficking will behave and look. This presentation will focus on trauma-informed care approaches and how they guide clinical practice with veterans who have experienced intimate partner violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking. Subject matter experts on veteran intimate partner violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, and trauma-informed care will share the model created for best practices through case studies. Participants will also be provided with resources for veterans.
Presentation Objectives:
· Discuss the correlation between intimate partner violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking
· Describe human trafficking red flags specific to veterans globally
· Discuss veteran-specific strategies for applying trauma-informed care approaches related to intimate partner violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking