Centering People with Lived Experiences as Social Service Leaders in Sex Trafficking, Sex Work, and Youth Organizations: A Qualitative, Community-Engaged Study
Lara Gerassi, PhD, LCSW & Caro Cruys, MSW, LGSW, PhD(c) | September 20 | 11:15 am-12:15 pm
Topic: Research | Knowledge Level: Beginner
Extant scholarly and activist literature strongly recommend that sex trafficking, sex work, and homeless/runaway youth organizations employ lived experience experts (i.e., those who experienced homelessness and/or the sex trades, which broadly include sex trafficking, sex work, and experiences that do not fit with either term or act). The process by which people with lived experiences become social service leaders is not well understood, particularly from the perspectives of diverse races, ethnicities, genders, and sexualities. The researchers sought to understand: (1) how do people with lived experiences become social service leaders; (2) what conditions influence their pathways; and (3) how does leadership influence their well-being? They used an intersectional, grounded theory approach (Charmaz, 2006) to conduct 26 in-depth interviews with lived experience experts who were currently in leadership in the U.S. Participants were ages 22-43; 50% people of color; 26% trans, genderqueer, genderfluid; 62% lesbian, gay, bisexual, pansexual, or queer. Twelve worked in anti-sex trafficking services. Findings suggest that participants moved into leadership with a collectivist or individualistic lens to the work (i.e., to improve collective community conditions vs. called to work due to individual experiences). A cycle of internal and external validation and invalidation emerged (e.g., insufficient pay; exploitation of their stories). Their lens and invalidation often led to conflict within the organization. When not repaired, participants reported differential ruptures from the community and exit from an organization. Practice, policy, and research implications will be discussed, including funding and compensation for lived experience experts, leadership development, and internal and external structural supports.
Presentation Objectives:
· Discuss how lived experience leaders find motivation to engage in social service work
· Explain the external and internal factors impacting diverse individuals’ leadership pathways
· Discuss practice and policy changes needed to support lived experience experts