Human trafficking is a significant problem in which healthcare workers are in a unique position to intervene. This study sought to determine the self-reported knowledge levels of healthcare providers most likely to come in direct contact with victims of human trafficking. An anonymous survey assessing self-reported knowledge of human trafficking was developed through an iterative process and distributed nationally via email and medical online forums. Survey participants included a national sample of EMTs, fellows, medical assistants, medical students, nurses, nurse practitioners, nursing students, paramedics, physicians, physician assistants, physician assistant students, residents, and social workers. The primary outcomes were descriptive statistics and secondary outcomes were comparisons among demographic groups. Qualitative methodology via content analysis was implemented on an open-ended question. The 6,603 respondents represented all regions of the country. Less than half the respondents (42%) have received formal training in human trafficking, while an overwhelming majority (93%) believe they would benefit by such training. Overall, respondents thought their level of knowledge of trafficking was average to below average (mean=2.64 on a 5-point scale). There were significant differences in knowledge of trafficking by age group (p<.001), region (p<.001), and educational training level (p<.001). 949 respondents (14.4%) provided free-text comments that further described their opinions. Most respondents stated they have not received training but felt they would benefit from it. There were significant differences between demographic groups. Further innovation is needed to design a universally appropriate curriculum on human trafficking that is accessible to all healthcare providers as well as mandatory training programs for healthcare institutions.

Presentation Objectives:

· Discuss the self-reported knowledge levels of healthcare providers most likely to come in direct contact with victims of human trafficking

· Discuss future research projects that can stem from this project

Read More

Through the lens of complex trauma and posttraumatic growth, this workshop will share recent findings from a qualitative study of 15 domestic sex trafficking survivors that focused on the impact and experiences of domestic sex trafficking survivors (Padgett, 2017). Using ecological and trauma-informed lenses, this qualitative, retrospective study used participant-centered methods to explore identity, sexuality, relationships, and factors that facilitated/hindered community reintegration for 15 adult female survivors. Participants identified with all aspects of complex trauma, including dissociation, self-perception/identity, relations with others, and systems of meaning. Key themes included losing and regaining power, shame, and the dangers of re-exploitation and re-traumatization. Participants highlighted relationship development as the primary source of healing and growth, emphasizing the value of peer-based support and survivor leadership. The findings of this study affirm the need for ecological and relational perspectives in care of survivors, and approaches using a trauma-informed, victim-centered lens. Findings affirm the value of understanding the nuances of complex trauma as well as celebrating the capacity for posttraumatic growth. Finally, findings suggest comprehensive recommendations directly from the voices of survivors for community members and service providers. Through rich data from interviews and photovoice captioned images, workshop participants will hear and see direct evidence of the aspects of complex trauma as well as the capacity for posttraumatic growth (Tedeschi and Calhoun 2004, Tedeschi and Calhoun, 2006; Spinazzola et al, 2001; Choi et al., 2009). Finally, workshop participants will receive recommendations directly from the voices of survivors on what factors help or hinder community reintegration (Evans, 2022).

Presentation Objectives:

· Explain complex trauma and posttraumatic growth and how they are observed in victims of domestic sex trafficking

· Provide recommendations for post-trafficking community reintegration that come directly from survivors of sex trafficking

Read More

Newtons Law states, “For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction”, and when it comes to working with victims, this law heavily impacts helping professionals. We are constantly in a high stress state, and we assume when the workday is done, we return to normal functioning, when in fact we suffer from addiction, depression, and changes to our daily functioning. Because we are exposed to trauma daily, we have a personal reaction that equally affects us. Yet, as helping professionals, we are often taught that it is normal and/or our fault, and that by talking about it, we are not able-bodied professionals. This session will help attendees gain understanding of compassion fatigue and related terms, strategies to cope with it, and a review of accessible resources. This session will also empower attendees to advocate for change and provide recommendations for internal protocol changes for individual agencies. If we do not start taking care of ourselves, the victims we work with are affected. Victims are triggered daily by burnt out and fatigued helping professionals, and often talk about the horrors of trying to access help. It is our duty to help ourselves first, and thus provide successful outcomes for the victims we serve.

Presentation Objectives:

· Discuss definitions of compassion fatigue, burnout, secondary trauma, and post-traumatic stress disorder

· Describe personal examples, relatable scenarios, and assess personal level of impact

· Explain coping strategies for personal and professional lives and how to create culture change at home and in the office

· Discuss how compassion fatigue is normal and provide tools for agency involvement

Read More

Human trafficking is a serious crime and one of the most severe human rights violations. Over the last 10 years, the conflict in Syria has caused massive loss of life and human suffering, as well as a complex displacement crisis. Thereby, human trafficking became a major problem in the EU and neighboring countries during the last decade (Forin & ICMPD, 2018; FRONTEX, 2019). The aim of this research was to compare and analyze protection policies for individuals and potential risk groups who have been victims of child trafficking and human trafficking through labor exploitation and sexual exploitation along the Mediterranean migration route in Italy and Turkey. The main research question is: “In light of human rights and sustainable development goals, how do Italy and Turkey protect children and adults from trafficking on the Mediterranean migration routes?” The research consists of a semi-structured interview and qualitative in-depth interviews. The sample of the research consisted of 15 experts from Italy and 31 experts from Turkey, with a total number of 46. In the research, the grounded theory basis was used, and the data were analyzed with the MAXQDA 2020 Pro Analytics program. As a result, 2942 codes, 17 sub-themes and 4 main themes emerged. The results are compared in the context of the two countries, according to the measures stipulated by the Council of Europe Convention, and solution proposals will be discussed.

Presentation Objectives:

· Describe this risky situation among migrants and refugees which are led to human trafficking along Mediterranean migration routes

· Discuss the European model for victim protection policies.

Read More

In December 2020, Canadian fashion mogul, Peter Nygard, was indicted in the U.S. on nine separate counts of sex trafficking, racketeering, and related crimes after dozens of women came forward accusing him of using his business to lure them for his own sexual gratification. He is also currently facing charges in Canada, and even though many of the alleged assaults occurred at his estate in the Bahamas, Nygard has yet to face charges there. It was almost a year after the first accusations were made that he was ultimately arrested. Title 18 of the U.S. Code explicitly provides extraterritorial jurisdiction (the legal authority of the U.S. to prosecute criminal conduct that took place outside its borders) over certain sex offenses involving the sexual exploitation of children, including sex trafficking. However, numerous basic sex offenses lack the same jurisdiction that allow traffickers and other sexual predators to escape criminal charges if prosecutors are unable to establish the demanding evidentiary basis for more multifaceted crimes like trafficking. Expanding these crimes extraterritorially would allow federal prosecutors to confer charges related to crimes of sexual abuse and assault, regardless of the victims’ age and where the crime occurred. Granting extraterritorial jurisdiction and including crimes against all victims of sexual abuse will be a crucial step in ensuring all predators are brought to justice.

Presentation Objectives:

· Describe the current federal law related to the prosecution of trafficking cases

· Explain the applicability of the law as it relates to the case against Peter Nygard and the loopholes that allowed his abuse to perpetuate for decades

· Discuss the possible reforms to the current law for certain sex offenses, providing an additional path to justice for survivors and ensure all perpetrators are held accountable

Read More

This interactive workshop will seek to provide an overview of how to use yoga as a clinical intervention for treatment of trauma experiences of sex trafficking survivors. Research around this issue will be reviewed, including yoga as a clinical intervention and elements of trauma informed care for survivors of sex trafficking (Goodman & Calderon, 2012; Elliot, et al. 2005; Emerson, 2015; Jindani & Khalsa, 2015; Van der Kolk, 2014). The presenter’s lived experience as a sex trafficking survivor and the use of trauma informed yoga as an approach to find her own path to healing will also be discussed. During this workshop, providers and survivors will have the opportunity to learn about how to use trauma-informed yoga as an intervention to treat complex trauma symptoms for themselves and clients. Participants will be able to see how trauma-informed intervention is practiced and step-by-step instructions for effective application of yoga as a clinical tool will be reviewed.

Presentation Objectives:

· Discuss research-based concepts around trauma symptoms and trauma-informed interventions

· Describe trauma-informed yoga as an intervention

· Describe survivor's lived experience and the use of trauma informed yoga as a clinical approach to healing

Read More

This presentation details 20 social-psychological strategies pimps use to engage, entice, and maintain young women in the role of prostitute. It details how the pimp deters his victims from talking with police, why it is so hard for police to intervene, and what police can do to break the psychological control the pimp has over his victims. This research was conducted initially in 1973 with a review of Civil Rights literature including Malcolm X, Iceberg Slim Pimp: The Story of My Life, Manchild in the Promised Land, and Eldridge Cleaver’s Soul on Ice. To validate this research, the presenter interviewed classmates at California State University, Dominguez Hills who were pimps, members of the Prison Parole Program, and male Muslim activists who followed Elijah Muhammad, the Leader of the Nation of Islam. To further validate this research, she asked police to introduce her to working prostitutes. In 1973, this research was accepted by the Pacific Sociological Association in British Columbia. This presentation has been presented to over 11,000 prostituted children and can be triggering, often resulting in cries of “He did all of that. It was just a game.” This research has been taught to thousands of members of law enforcement in the U.S. and around the world and has been relied on by governments to prosecute pimp/traffickers. It has even been reviewed on more than one occasion by the United States Supreme Court.

Presentation Objectives:

· Train social service providers how to intervene in the relationship and psychological hold a pimp has on his victim

· Discuss when to intervene, how to intervene, and what to say and what not to say

Read More

Human trafficking is often interconnected with crimes such as domestic violence, gang violence, theft, drug crimes, and violent crimes. Victims and offenders of human trafficking may be involved in various investigations, which frequently goes unnoticed because law enforcement agencies tend to work exclusively within their own silos. It is important for agencies to recognize the overlap in investigative units and prioritize collaborative efforts and sharing information inside their own agencies, as well as with outside agencies. This study analyzed the innerworkings of a human trafficking investigation from Multnomah County in Portland, Oregon. The investigation encompassed multiple cases in which nine defendants were indicted on various charges and all nine pled guilty. These cases demonstrate the fact that human trafficking intersects with all types of crimes and can be immersed within families. The investigation spanned from May 2015 to November 2019 and included several agencies within Oregon and across the country. This analysis narrowed in on three separate human trafficking cases that involved six victims, one of them a minor. Data was compiled through MCSO Human Trafficking Person Profile Reports and interviews were conducted with stakeholders from various agencies. The data was examined to identify effective investigative techniques and methods of communication used to successfully indict and prosecute traffickers. Five themes were yielded from the analysis:
1) investigative techniques, 2) communication/collaboration, 3) victim centered/trauma informed care approach, 4) investigative techniques – gold standard, and
5) phenomena unique to human trafficking. Regarding these observations, recommendations to improve future human trafficking investigations are offered.

Presentation Objectives:

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

· Describe the implications based on the research and recommendations for law enforcement and additional stakeholders

Read More

Existing evaluations of child trafficking prevention programs primarily focused on girls (e.g., Kruger et al., 2016; Murphy et al., 2016; Rothman et al., 2019). There is a need for evaluations of similar interventions for boys or both genders. This secondary data analysis assessed the impact of a 12-month-long community-based child trafficking prevention program in Bihar, India. Convenience sampling was utilized to recruit 352 girls and 325 boys in geographical areas identified as hotspots of child trafficking in

the state. Pre- and post-test surveys were used to collect data. Descriptive analyses, and independent sample t and chi-square tests were conducted to analyze changes for 8 key variables over time and across gender. The mean ages for both girls and boys in both the baseline and follow-up phases were just over 13 years old. The findings indicate that participation in the program resulted in significant differences in knowledge, self-efficacy, participation, and behavior among participants regarding child trafficking prevention. The finding about participants’ agency and confidence in reaching out for help in case of threats was one of the most positive aspects of the program. The results of this study are of value to community organizations involved or interested in creating or improving child trafficking prevention programs because this program equally focused on both girls and boys while also paying attention to the distinctive empowerment needs of each gender. The absence of transgender youth in the program will be discussed. The input of child survivors and those at risk of trafficking should be sought in the design and implementation of any child trafficking prevention initiatives.

Presentation Objectives:

· Describe the changes in participants’ knowledge, skills, and behaviors from pretest to posttest based on participation in the program

· Examine the significance of the changes in the program’s outcomes based on gender

· Highlight the distinctive contributions of the study to the literature on child trafficking prevention interventions

Read More