Social Enterprise: Creating Economic Opportunities for Survivors of Sex Trafficking
Natalya Timoshkina, PhD, MSW | September 22 | 10:15-11:15 am
Topic: Research, Programming | Knowledge Level: Beginner
Social enterprises are hybrid organizations integrating principles of private enterprise with social sector goals to create income-generating and skills development opportunities for “hard-to-employ” populations (Berzin, 2012; Dees, 1998; Garrow, 2015). This session presents results of a multimethod study examining employment/ work integration social enterprise (EWISE) as a promising model for labor market (re)integration of women-survivors of sex trafficking, who consistently face a lack of long-term economic opportunities (Timoshkina, 2019). The research questions included: What are the primary characteristics of EWISEs? What EWISE models are suitable for labor market (re)integration of sex trafficking survivors? The study encompassed a review of 21 websites of social enterprises for human trafficking survivors, a systematic review of literature on EWISEs, and case studies of two social enterprises for marginalized women – Inspirations Studio (pottery) and Spun Studio (textile) operated by Sistering, a women’s agency in Toronto, Canada. The systematic literature review included empirical studies whose findings were reported in peer-referred articles (12) and research reports (5); they examined EWISEs in Canada, the U.S., Australia, the UK, and Ireland. The sources of data for the case studies included: (a) organizational documents, media reports and videos; (b) a survey of 15 Inspirations Studio members; (c) in-depth qualitative interviews with 9 Sistering staff members and 12 social enterprise members; and (d) prolonged field observations. The presentation will provide an overview of the existing social enterprises for sex trafficking survivors, discuss the primary characteristics of EWISEs, and offer practical recommendations for developing a range of employment programming for women exiting sex trafficking.
Presentation Objectives:
· Provide an overview of the research findings
· Discuss the practical implications and recommendations based on the research