Posts tagged 22:10:15
Intrafamilial Child Sexual Abuse, Exploitation, and Trafficking of Boys

Boys subject to intrafamilial child sexual exploitation and abuse (CSEA) through trafficking face many barriers in disclosing their exploitation, often leaving victims and survivors dismissed or mishandled by service providers and society (Palfy, 2016; Smiragina, 2015). This study explores the vulnerabilities of male victims of intrafamilial CSEA, the unique characteristics of intrafamilial abuse, exploitation through trafficking, and the barriers to disclosure and recover by victims and survivors. Ten adult male survivors were interviewed multiple times to gain a deeper understanding of intrafamilial CSEA and how it compares and contrasts with non-familial CSEA. Multiple semi-structured online interviews were conducted with the 10 adult male survivors because they experienced 1) intrafamilial child sexual abuse and 2) the progression of intrafamilial child sexual abuse into intrafamilial child trafficking for sexual exploitation. The research team (Ena Lucia Mariaca, Andres Buenaventura, and Dr. Glenn Miles) explored the internal and external barriers to disclosure that boys encountered, particularly in familial settings, and employed a co-productive approach with the participants. Findings underscore the importance of trauma-informed practices for identifying and rehabilitating victims and survivors. Participants reported receiving effective assistance from service providers (law enforcement, medical, and mental health professionals) that exhibited trauma-informed practices. Recommendations include the need for service providers to receive training on 1) trauma-informed, person-centered practices and 2) how to avoid being influenced by traditional gender biases that largely overlook male victimization and female criminality in child sexual abuse and trafficking.

Presentation Objectives:

· Give an overview of research conducted on male survivors of familial trafficking

· Provide a deeper understanding of the male experience in child sexual abuse, exploitation, and trafficking done by family members

· Offer recommendations for frontline service providers who may come in contact with a male victim or survivor of child sexual abuse, exploitation, and trafficking

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An Occupational Justice Perspective in the Fight Against Human Trafficking: Lessons Learned from Research and Advocacy

Occupational therapy can contribute to recovery from exploitation through occupation-based approaches to recovery that promote health and wellbeing (George, 2019; World Federation of Occupational Therapists, 2010), with participation in activities of everyday life being the main goal. In this emerging area of practice, occupational therapists’ roles include the remediation of physical functions, modifications of activities, the facilitation of participation, and managing contextual factors (Cerny, 2016; Gorman & Hatkevich, 2016; Layton, 2014; Thompson, 2017; Trimboli et al., 2019), as survivors of exploitation reclaim their rights of meaningful occupation, health, and wellbeing. In addition, there is emerging dialogue regarding the occupational injustices of exploitation, which include experiences of marginalization, imbalance, deprivation, and alienation where people who are trafficked are over occupied with activities that are exploitative or lack meaning and purpose, or when people are prevented from engagement in meaningful activity (George & Stanley, 2018). In this presentation, the findings of 3 studies are discussed. The first explores the challenges facing service providers in Australia working with survivors of trafficking (George et al., 2018). The second highlights the occupational injustices of human trafficking using international case studies (George & Stanley, 2018). The third highlights the gap in evidence for occupational therapy in recovery and calls for global collaboration between clinicians and researchers (George & Stanhope, 2020). Finally, a reflection on the importance of advocacy shows how the criminal justice system can respond fairly to the needs of survivors.

Presentation Objectives:

· Highlight the occupational injustices of human trafficking

· Explore the role of occupational therapy in the recovery from exploitation

· Promote the importance of advocacy in the fight against human trafficking

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The Perspectives of Commercially Sexually Exploited Youth on Help-Seeking and Help-Related Experiences

Commercial sexual exploitation of youth (CSEY) is being increasingly framed as a severe social problem. Many agree that understanding CSEY perspectives on help-related experiences is essential for improving the help offered to them (Hampton & Lieggi, 2020). Yet, the literature on helping CSEY is based mostly on professionals' perspective (Lefevre et al., 2019). This presentation will bring the perspectives of CSEY on help-seeking and help-related experiences to the fore. Findings of an interpretive qualitative meta-synthesis (QMS) of a corpus of 34 studies will be presented. Using the conceptual framework of help-seeking, the QMS yields novel insights into CSEY's perceptions of their involvement in commercial sexual exploitation (CSE), and how they define their problems, decide to seek help, and engage in the proper help. Particularly, the QMS underscores that CSEY don’t always perceive their involvement in CSE as problematic, nor identify themselves as victims of exploitation. The findings highlight the significance of developing social services that specialize in helping CSEY and involve CSEY in decisions about the support they are provided. Secondly, findings of a qualitative-constructivist study about CSEY's help-related experiences within key relationships will be presented. The findings are based on a naturalistic analysis of qualitative interviews with 20 CSEY. They reveal the multiple challenges encountered by CSEY when seeking and receiving help, and their perception of relationships primarily as a sphere of harm and abuse. Nonetheless, participants described "good, beneficial help" as taking place mainly within meaningful relationships (with family, friends and help providers). The study underscores the importance of meaningful relationships in the context of help-seeking.

Presentation Objectives:

· Familiarize the audience with the literature on help-seeking processes of CSEY

· Share research findings on the meaning of relationships in help-seeking processes of CSEY

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Clinical Implications for Work with Transgender Survivors of Human Trafficking

Survivors of human trafficking benefit from specific clinical interventions based on trauma and survival of the experiences while enslaved. Clinical work with the subpopulation of transgender survivors includes implications specific to their needs. In this session, presenters will explore the needs and best practices of providing clinical services to transgender survivors of human trafficking and will define and discuss the relevant clinical concepts within the population of transgender sex workers and survivors of human trafficking. Based on research identified thorough the presentation and current gaps in research, clinical interventions specific to the population are few and need further development and review to include a more evidence-based clinical foundation (Abad, et.al, 2015; Baumann, et.al, 2019; Change, et al, 2019; Gama, et al, 2018; Mo, et.al, 2018; Nadal, et al, 2014; Ocha & Earth, 2013; Sawicki, et al, 2019; She, 2020). This information highlights the need for increased cultural competencies and training available to counselors working with the subpopulation.

Presentation Objectives:

· Define transgender and non-conforming identities of survivors of human trafficking

· Discuss self-reported experiences of transgender survivors

· Explore needs and best practices specific to the population

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Social Enterprise: Creating Economic Opportunities for Survivors of Sex Trafficking

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

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The Survivors Journey

When victims of child abuse, sexual assault, intimate partner violence, or sex trafficking are identified, we know trauma has occurred and internal recovery work from trauma is needed. However, few professionals know how to effectively respond. This workshop will focus on providing information on trauma, triggers, trauma-informed care, and trauma-focused care to help clients heal. Participants will learn the twelve internal and external journeys clients should travel that moves them from victim to survivor to thriver.

Presentation Objectives:

· Provide participants with information on trauma and the effects of trauma

· Discuss the importance of trauma-informed work

· Discuss trauma-focused work and the difference between informed and focused work

Describe the components needed to move victims to survivors to thrivers

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Field Action Program: Bringing the Invisible Children of Darkness to Light

Irulars, meaning children of darkness (Thurston, E., 1909), are among the most vulnerable indigenous communities of India (Ganesh, 2021). Their vulnerability stems from their innocence, low literacy levels, and livelihood options (Solomon, 2018). The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (2015) mandates the Right to Life, Survival, Development, and Participation. But in reality, Irulars are far from it. During the 2015 Chennai Floods, Irulars were one of the most affected, yet systematically excluded, communities. The Department of Social Work (Aided), Madras Christian College, India identified this injustice. Here began the Field Action Program (FAP), a departmental initiative to provide the Irulars with the knowledge, skills, and resources to claim their own civil and human rights (Self Advocacy). The FAP team, so far, has built houses and installed solar lamps and potable water tanks through multi-stakeholder collaborations. Irulars have historically been deprived of basic identity proofs and governmental provisions. Identifying this gap, FAP team liaisons, along with the government, provided Irulars with Aadhar Cards (community certificates). Community empowerment is a major agenda of FAP. Livelihood training and skill development programs have therefore been conducted. The road ahead for the Irulars is very wide. There is a need to build indigenous community leaders to sustain the rights-based activities and build a community participatory model of social development.

Presentation Objectives:

· Discuss the current state of indigenous communities in South India with special reference to the Irular community

· Describe the Field Action Program (FAP)

· Enumerate the various programs conducted by the FAP for the benefit of the Irular community

· Explain the steps needed to make the Irular community empowered and self-reliant

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Human Trafficking, Corporations, and Remedies for Survivors: Holding Hotels Accountable for Profiting from Sex Trafficking

A string of revolutionary civil lawsuits has grown under the 2008 Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act (TVPRA), which gives human trafficking survivors the ability to recover damages from corporations that have profited from turning a blind eye to trafficking. Babin Law filed the first lawsuit under the TVPRA against hotels. They believe the TVPRA is not only a promising tool for survivors to seek justice, but also establishes a duty for corporations to adopt stricter policies to identify and prevent trafficking within their operations. This presentation will provide an overview of the TVPRA and different cases brought against corporations. Sex trafficking survivors filed lawsuits against hotels as well as technology companies such as Backpage, Pornhub, Twitter, and others. Labor trafficking survivors have also sued companies for profiting from forced labor, such as Nestle, Mars, and Hershey who source chocolate made from child labor in the Ivory Coast. After explaining the evolution of TVPRA lawsuits against corporations, the presenter will delve deeper into the cases against hotels. The hotel industry has turned a blind eye to the obvious signs of human trafficking and continued to profit by renting rooms to traffickers. These lawsuits show the need for industry-wide change in hotel policies and procedures, like mandatory training and security protocols, to protect survivors of trafficking. Finally, these cases have a positive impact on survivors by providing a new tool to recover damages from their trafficking and a way for their story to be heard.

Presentation Objectives:

· Provide an overview and history of holding corporations accountable for profiting from trafficking under the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act (TVPRA)

· Discuss different types of TVPRA cases currently filed against corporations in sex and labor trafficking contexts

· Dive into the claims Babin Law is bringing against hotels

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Modern Slavery, Forced Labor, and the Private Sector Response

Every four seconds, another person enters a human trafficking situation somewhere in the world. It is estimated that there are over 40 million people in modern-day slavery today, more than any other time in history. To make sense of this important issue and its relevance to today’s business community, Matt Friedman will offer a comprehensive update on this topic. His talk will explore the following: the changing human trafficking paradigm; the relationship between human trafficking and modern slavery; a comprehensive summary of global trends and patterns; an update on emerging legislation; a detailed description of the relationship between human trafficking and business risk; and a description of tangible, practical tools and approaches used by corporations throughout the world to help identify and address this potential problem. Attendees will walk away with a detailed understanding of the importance of private sector involvement in addressing the issue of modern slavery.

Presentation Objectives:

· Describe the relationship between modern slavery and supply chains

· Describe emerging trends related to this topic

· Describe what the private sector is doing in response to these trends

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Trauma-Informed Approaches to Human Trafficking, Intimate Partner Violence, and Sexual Assault Within the Department of Veteran Affairs

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

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