Interdisciplinary Collaboration to Engage and Treat Child Victims of Sex Trafficking
Adebimpe Adewusi, MD, FAAP & Hannah Helms, MSW, CSWA | September 21 | 3:15-4:15 pm
Topic: Direct Service, Healthcare | Knowledge Level: Beginner
After summarizing the dynamics that influence commercially sexually exploited patient-victims, the presenters will take the audience through a case study of a child who experienced sexual exploitation. This includes an overview of medical needs that providers may observe in a child who may be experiencing sexual exploitation, strategies for engaging and building rapport with the child, what acute and follow up care should look like, how an evaluation at a children’s advocacy center could occur, and how clinic procedures can be adapted to better foster engagement and rapport building. The audience will also learn about complex trauma and evidence-based interventions for treating the therapeutic needs of children who have experienced sexual exploitation. Moreover, Ms. Helms will provide an overview of Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and adaptations that can be made to this intervention that both meet the needs of the patient. The audience will also learn about the Stages of Change, and specific ways that this theory has been adapted and applied to the commercially sexually exploited child (CSEC) population and how the care team sought to embody this theory to better foster collaboration and continuity of care. The overall goal of this presentation is to enhance understanding of the role of children’s advocacy centers in providing care for CSEC youth. Attendees will gain a better understanding of the medical/mental health needs of this population, be able to identify practical steps to advocating for appropriate care, and gain knowledge of evidence-based interventions.
Presentation Objectives:
· Identify common mental and medical health needs of the CSEC population
· Discuss appropriate interventions to meet mental and medical health needs of CSEC population
· Describe what an assessment at child advocacy center (CAC) should look like
· Discuss how to apply aspects of Stages of Change Model to clients/patients
· Explain the importance of working as a multidisciplinary team (MDT) in cases of CSEC