Resiliency Lived: Experts’ Assets and Resources in the Anti-Trafficking Movement
Jami Flick, PhD, MS, OTR/L | September 21 | 3:15-4:15 pm
Topic: Research | Knowledge Level: Intermediate
Lived experience experts are advocates and leaders who combat exploitation, support peers, and drive the anti-trafficking movement. There is limited published research that explicitly focus on survivor experts’ lived experience in their roles (Lockyer, 2020; Helpingstine et al., 2021). The investigator aimed to explore survivor experts’ experiences in their advocacy and leadership roles and to examine the assets and resources they utilize to successfully fulfill their purpose. Empowerment and resiliency theory served as the guiding frameworks for this qualitative dissertation study. A strengths-based, trauma-informed semi-structured interview guide vetted by a survivor advocate was used to conduct in-depth interviews with 15 lived experience experts. Six themes emerged from the study: 1) Dynamic Multi-faceted Advocates, Experts, and Leaders; 2) Driven to Make Meaningful Impact; 3) Scaling Mountains of Adversity, Barriers, and Challenges; 4) Harnessing One’s Expert “Superpowers” and “Superhero” Assets; 5) Skillful Utilization of Resources and Supports; and 6) Expansion of Thriverhood. The results of this study expand on burnout and attrition risk factors that experts overcome to stay engaged in anti-exploitation/anti-trafficking efforts. The results highlight promotive and protective factors of resiliency and resourcefulness that experts use to thrive in their roles. Practical system and organizational level recommendations to support and promote thriverhood for all lived experience experts in the anti-trafficking/anti-exploitation movement will be discussed. Also, key areas for continued research will be identified.
Presentation Objectives:
· Provide an overview of the qualitative study, including main questions, methodology, and findings
· Describe the implications and recommendations based on the research to support and promote thriverhood for all lived experience experts in the anti-trafficking/anti-exploitation movement