Childhood stress dysregulates and disrupts neurobiological systems, which has a lasting impact throughout adulthood. Though the impact of a significant traumatic experience on the brain and body has been extensively researched, there is less known on the impact of multiple, prolonged traumatic experiences on the brain. This presentation summarizes the state of current findings that when compared to peers with no traumatic experiences, children exposed to complex trauma have structural changes in their brain. For example, with exposure to complex trauma, there is a decrease in white and gray matter in the prefrontal cortex (e.g., Hanson et al., 2012). This loss of gray matter may at least partially explain difficulties in executive functioning. Further, with exposure to complex trauma, there is an association between childhood stress and spatial working memory. Regardless of a diagnosis in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), children with exposure to complex trauma seem to have difficulty inhibiting competing, extraneous information in order to focus on a task at hand. There is also less activation in the middle frontal gyrus, which is involved in response inhibition, suggesting that these children’s brain activity is developmentally delayed (e.g., Bruce et al., 2013; Carrion et al., 2008). Importantly, however, there is compensation for decreased activity, such as in the anterior cingulate gyrus, with an increase in activation in the left inferior parietal lobule. This demonstration of brain plasticity serves as a reminder that even in the face of adverse conditions, there is a path towards healthy functioning. Attendees will learn to identify complex trauma symptoms through a neuropsychological lens and learn compensatory mechanisms specific to complex trauma.

Presentation Objectives:

·  Present findings that early stress disrupts structural aspects of neurological processes

·  Describe the functional ramifications of brain changes due to complex trauma (e.g., impairment of executive functioning)

·  Discuss compensatory mechanisms

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Most data on child sex trafficking, and family-facilitated child sex trafficking (FFCST) more specifically, comes from Western, developed nations, especially the U.S. (Sprang & Cole, 2018; Reid, Huard & Haskell, 2015). Although exceedingly valuable in providing a foundation of knowledge, these data provide a small window only into the many nuanced manifestations of FFCST globally. Diversity in culture, economics, politics, and resource availability and accessibility greatly impact family dynamics related to FFCST (Willis & Barry, 2006; Sprang & Cole, 2018). In this presentation, the presenter will describe three unique types of FFCST that have been identified in India—from her own research over the past 15 as well as the extant literature (Sabharwal & Sonalkar, 2015; Saggurti et al., 2011; Jha & Sharma, 2016). Similarities (e.g., structural vulnerabilities including caste membership and availability and access to resources) and subtle differences (e.g., in family dynamics, intergenerational transmission) across the variations will be highlighted as will implications for health and well-being of victims and their children. Comparisons with what is known about FFCST in the U.S. will be made and suggestions for continued research, practice and policy will be discussed—emphasizing how much of what is currently understood about FFCST, may not be generalizable to culturally unique populations. Culturally appropriate economic growth and anti-discriminatory (caste, gender) policies, with actionable field-based, ethical, and trauma informed strategies are paramount for change to occur.

Presentation Objectives:

·  Describe three unique types of FFCST identified in unique cultural contexts of India

·  Identify similarities and differences across the three types of FFCST as well as comparisons with what is currently understood in the literature about FFCST in the U.S. and other Western Countries

·  Suggest implications for psycho-social well-being for victims/survivors of each of the three types of FFCST

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This presentation will explain how ritual abuse, mind control, and different suggestive techniques work to control sex trafficking survivors (Karriker, 2008). The presenter will describe different historical examples of how mind control and ritual abuse have been used. Legal cases will also be discussed from various parts of the world (McGonigle, 1999; New York Times, 1988). Research studies, like the Extreme Abuse Survivors Survey, will be presented, as well as examples of different cults and their techniques (Hassan, 2018). Mental health diagnoses, like Dissociative Identity Disorder and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and their origins in sex trafficking survivors will be explained. The presenter will discuss his personal experiences of being in a cult as a child experiencing torture, sexual abuse, and mind control techniques. The forced development of these diagnoses and their symptoms will be connected to how they are used to control sex trafficking survivors. Ways to expose and prevent ritual abuse, mind control, and sex trafficking will be discussed. Finally, there will be a discussion of the future of advocacy efforts to stop ritual abuse, sex trafficking, and mind control.

Presentation Objectives:

·  Discuss techniques used to control sex trafficking survivors

·  Describe research studies that show how these techniques work

·  Explain how different mental health diagnoses symptoms are used to help sex trafficking survivors

·  Discuss ways people can educate others to help stop future occurrences of ritual abuse, sex trafficking, and mind control

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Expressive arts includes a wide range of activities that largely utilize nonverbal methods to connect with feelings or thoughts of participants. As a therapeutic and educational intervention, expressive arts have been shown to be more accessible than many other methods for working with trauma survivors (Hopper et al., 2018). Survivor leaders and group facilitators, Kyla Woods, Liz Kimbel, and Dr. Beth, will present three techniques used in their practice with survivors of sex trafficking in the greater DC and Baltimore areas. Workshop participants will be guided through three creative arts activities using self-expression to develop self-awareness, cope with stress and trauma, and work on several social-emotional skills.

Presentation Objectives:

·  Describe three expressive arts interventions that can be used in clinical or skills/education focused group practice

·  Present intervention techniques which can help improve psychosocial skills for survivors of exploitation

·  Discuss how to evaluate effectiveness of expressive arts approaches to intervention

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In 2018, the UN's International Organization for Migration (IOM) established the Counter Trafficking Data Collaborative (CTDC) as a global data resource on trafficking data. The centerpiece of the Collaborative’s work is a public, open source, global database of trafficking reports. With almost 200,000 records as of March, 2023, the database includes many important features including country of victim’s citizenship as well as where exploitation occurred, detailed information on the type of exploitation including type of work performed and means of control, and demographic data including records on transgender persons. The database is fully anonymous and developed with careful attention to ethical best practices in data collection. This presentation provides a background on the Collaborative and the database, its contents and applications, and examples of research. As an example, human trafficking trends in Eastern Europe are explored, which have shifted to focus on Ukraine in recent years. These and many other studies are made possible by the CTDC’s extensive resources. In this presentation, attendees will get an understanding of the Counter Trafficking Data Collaborative, the resources it offers, and how to use the data to support, guide, and direct their own work in international anti-trafficking.

Presentation Objectives:

·  Provide an overview of the UN's IOM, the Counter Trafficking Data Collaborative, and how to participate in their work

·  Describe the CTDC's data resource, its contents and format, and how to access it

·  Provide examples of research and the development of public-facing materials such as maps and data using the database

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While human trafficking has been outlawed since 2000, labor trafficking is an area that has not been adequately researched. The actual severity of the problem is unknown as there is no national database for labor trafficking instances. This exploratory research examines the current state of labor trafficking by analyzing current legislation and labor trafficking victims questioning if the United States responds to labor trafficking law. It utilizes Polaris’s twenty-five identified trafficking typologies to evaluate current policy. Through a literature review, current labor trafficking research was examined to find literature gaps. This research found that state governments focus on sex trafficking over labor trafficking, many Americans believe labor trafficking is not a significant concern, and law enforcement does not investigate labor exploitation. In addition, this lack of investigation also contributes to an absence of data. Finally, this research provides recommendations to protect trafficked labor victims by updating legislation through a victim-center approach.

Presentation Objectives:

·  Provide an overview of the current problem, main research questions, findings, and implications

·  Explain how participants can contact their representative to influence public policy

·  Provide policy recommendations for practitioners

·  Discuss participants’ views on the emphasis on sex trafficking versus labor trafficking

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This session provides a longitudinal overview of the research methodologies and key findings from the Colorado Project to Comprehensively Combat Human Trafficking (Colorado Project). Since 2010, the Laboratory to Combat Human Trafficking’s community-based participatory research (CBPR) has aimed to develop sustainable efforts to end human trafficking with the essential input of those in the field. The series of Colorado Project methodologies have helped communities assess their strengths and gaps in combating human trafficking, asking key questions regarding partnership efforts in 2013, 2019 and 2023 (Laboratory to Combat Human Trafficking). The session highlights the design of multi-sector project teams to conduct the research, the evolution of research questions, and lessons learned with each iteration. True to CBPR design, survivors, practitioners, and researchers co-designed and co-executed the design, inclusive of marginalized and underserved communities across Colorado (Miller et al., 2022; Miller et al, 2023). The multimethod design includes surveys, focus groups, and interviews tools designed to shed light on the nature of collaboration, answering questions focused upon the complexities of trust, equity, and effectiveness. In each iteration, survivors and community and systems leaders co-analyzed data to develop community-tailored Colorado Action Plans (2013, 2019 and 2023) to support strengths-based community responses to human trafficking that move beyond “4P” approaches to ending human trafficking. This session will review project outputs designed to sustain partnerships and preview pathways to examining four key root causes that create vulnerability to human trafficking across Colorado’s diverse geographies.

Presentation Objectives:

·  Describe the community-based participatory research methodologies applied statewide, including design of research project teams

·  Discuss the evolution of questions focused on ways that communities comprehensively organize to address human trafficking, particularly how task forces and coalition members collaborate to address human trafficking

·  Discuss the design, data collection, and Action Plans resulting from Colorado Projects 2013, 2019 and 2023

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Rachel will focus on the intersection of desire, bondage, discipline (or domination), sadism, and masochism (BDSM), and trauma history and how to work with clients that are living in that intersection. This will start by exploring each of those intersections as individual concepts linking them back to the dual control model of desire with a cursory description of the sexual excitation system and sexual inhibition system (Nagoski, 2015). The central point of the therapeutic concept will be to explore the interventions necessary for working with clients with these lived experiences. Interventions begin by exploring sex education, and safety education. Rachel will explain how intervention later moves towards empowerment through the lens of healing centered engagement. Healing centered engagement provides a holistic view of healing from traumatic experiences and environments by exploring awareness and actions that address the conditions that created the trauma in the first place (Prilleltensky, 2008). Rachel will use position statements and concepts of self-liberation, as supported by AASECT, as supporting arguments for the interventions. Rachel will also talk about the barriers that have come up in this work and the tools that have helped clients to experience sex and kink that they feel is for them and pleasurable. Rachel will bring examples from cases as well as research and educational topics from the Nation Coalition for Sexual Freedom (NCSF). In conclusion, Rachel will wrap up with a call to destigmatize kink practices and the biases clinicians hold regarding the ways in which our clients find healing in the consent and connection it brings.

Presentation Objectives:

·  Describe ways to engage with clients looking to connect with sexuality and kink after trauma

·  Explain how to evaluate for safety

·  Explain how to educate on nuanced consent

·  Discuss trauma implications on sexual health

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The global sports industry is expected to grow from $388.28 billion in 2020 to $440.77 billion in 2021 (Kumar & Bhalla, 2021). Projected to outpace global GDP, the sports industry is a lavishly oiled, complex machine that is entirely dependent on exceptionally talented individuals with the skills, drive, and discipline to chase their dreams (Kearney, 2011). Oftentimes, young socially and financially vulnerable athletes are targets for traffickers who hold the deceptive promise of wealth, fame, and opportunity. Traffickers, also referred to as “recruiters,” exploit young athletes through force, fraud, and coercion for social and economic power (Busch-Armendariz et al., 2018; TVPA, section 103[8]). There is a dearth of publications, information, and vocabulary surrounding the human trafficking of athletes, despite its growing threat to human rights. Though the presenters identify specific domestic and global legal cases surrounding the topic, they also recognize that the void of information about this social problem continues to perpetuate this growing and time-sensitive issue. Their presentation will seek to address these concerns. This presentation will provide a much-needed examination and discourse of this emerging social and public health problem. The presenters will seek to define trafficking within the global sports industry as a human rights violation, identify and explore the push and pull migration factors, and center this call-to-action as an international human rights issue by utilizing methodologies such as case study analysis and systems thinking maps.

Presentation Objectives:

·  Define and conceptualize human trafficking within the sports industry through social work and public health epistemological approach

·  Discuss the challenges of conceptualizing this multifaceted social problem

·  Identify the areas within the global sports industry where human trafficking of athletes is most prominent

·  Identify and define key vulnerabilities of athletes through the recruitment process

·  Identify and discuss potential solutions and next steps to addressing this problem

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