Familial trafficking has only recently been brought into the mainstream conversations around human trafficking, but there is still a lot we don’t understand. The barriers a child faces that has been trafficked by a family member starts with identification and continues throughout the “system.” What happens when they hit a barrier and either fall through the cracks or are placed in a more harmful situation? These are some of our most vulnerable youth. Join the presenters to find out more about these barriers, the sporadic safety nets that are in place, and their suggestions for systemic change to better address these issues.

 

Presentation Objectives:

•  Define familial trafficking and the difficulties in identification

•  Discuss the barriers throughout the system that a child trafficked by a family member might encounter

•  Challenge the traditional system as it relates to the child and consider alternatives to better serve them

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At Bon Secours Mercy Health, (BSMH) their mission is to extend the compassionate ministry of Jesus by improving the health and well-being of the community and bringing good help to those in need, especially people who are poor, dying, and underserved. This is never more evident than in their trauma informed care of those being trafficked. A case presentation will be offered, along with a discussion of a healthcare system’s approach to this care including the role of forensic nurses and the trauma recovery center. Presenters will share insight into the development of training and education of health system associates located across four states, along with providing educational offerings to increase awareness of trafficking within the communities the health system serves, while developing partnerships within those areas. Additionally, presenters will discuss successes and lessons learned by a health system while developing a trauma informed care approach for those patients experiencing trafficking.

 

Presentation Objectives:

•  Define a trauma informed care approach for those being trafficked using the “4 R’s” of realizing, recognizing, responding, and resisting re-traumatization

•  Discuss a healthcare system’s approach to the holistic needs and care of those being trafficked, including the role of forensic nurses and the trauma recovery center

•  Describe two methods for building community partnerships and how their respective role contributes to the overall success of this approach

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In the ever-evolving landscape of human trafficking research, the allure of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) often dominates the discourse, promising precision and rigor. Despite the numerous ethical, legal, and methodological concerns raised by researchers and communities, and known viable alternatives, RCTs continue to be the preferred, if not the required, method for many large-scale funders to combat human trafficking around the globe. Using real-world examples, the presenters will acknowledge the history and utility of RCTs while also addressing concerns regarding their misapplication, and examples of the harm the overreliance on RCTs has caused to the anti-human trafficking effort. Specifically, they will explore how the overreliance on RCTs 1) reflects a Western-centric view of development, inconsistent with the decolonial goal of empowering communities, 2) can create coercion and power imbalance between academics/researchers who know RCTs and the service providers who need funds, 3) sets back the anti-trafficking field by focusing on researcher-originated priorities, 4) perpetuates known methodological concerns, and 5) has created an overabundance of micro-level interventions conducive to an RCT design that have little practical application or applicability to the systemic concerns that perpetuate trafficking. Finally, they will present some of the many rigorous alternative methods to the RCT that center community knowledge and agency and emphasize the need for careful consideration of ethical implications, impact, and cultural sensitivities.

 

Presentation Objectives:

•  Discuss the history, utility of, and reliance on RCTs in the human trafficking field

•  Understand the limitations and concerns regarding RCT application

•  Discuss rigorous alternatives to RCT in combatting human trafficking

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Federal funds for human trafficking victim programs and services in the United States have increased from approximately $10 million in 2002 to more than $90 million in 2022. This increase in fund availability, however, has not necessarily translated into meaningful or accessible services for survivors. This research examines the distribution of Department of Justice anti-trafficking funds through the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC), particularly looking at OVC recipients in Alaska. This case study of Alaska - which received more than $10 million since 2019 - highlights certain trends in OVC funding, including changes in distribution over time, emphasis on task force engagement between service providers and law enforcement, and discussions of equity and inclusion, while the reality faced by survivors can be quite different. What institutional accountability explains how the $10.7 million in federal funds have been spent in Alaska over the last decade? What do a plethora of victim service funds mean if survivors cannot access them? The presenters explore institutional mechanisms of exclusion and harm, particularly around concepts of ideal victims, complexities in collaborating with law enforcement, criminalization of trafficking survivors, and criteria to qualify for services. The implications of this research for policymakers and service providers are further explored, and suggestions are made for federal funding distribution and accountability and institutional engagement with federal funds and survivors.

 

Presentation Objectives:

•  Provide a descriptive overview of OVC funding distribution over different types of projects and different areas of the U.S. over time

•  Dive into Alaska’s case study, understanding the role of federal funding in institutional behavior and policies and exploring survivor’s experiences with these federally funded groups

•  Describe the recommendations for federal funding and institutional policies based on this research

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Existing literature on sex trafficking in the United States has extensively discussed the varied profiles of traffickers. However, there is a lack of research on minors trafficking other minors. In this study, data was collected from a Las Vegas police department and 27 cases were found between January 11 to December 2021 where the sex trafficker was under the age of 18. This data was collected to address the following research questions: 1) What are the socio-demographic profiles of minors involved in sex trafficking as offenders, including their age, race/ethnicity, and gender? 2) Whom do minor offenders of sex trafficking typically target or traffic, and what are the characteristics of these victims? and 3) What are the primary methods used by minor offenders to recruit victims into sex trafficking? Results show limited variation in gender and race, and include how victims were identified by law enforcement, behaviors of the traffickers including how they were recruiting and trafficking their victims, the means of control employed by the minor offenders, and case outcomes including arrest information and dispositions. These findings urge action, especially involving schools and youth safety training. School staff can aid in prevention and intervention by recognizing trafficking signs, identifying at-risk students, and reporting suspicions properly. Collaboration between law enforcement, schools, social services, and communities is crucial. It ensures comprehensive support for victims and offenders, offering counseling, rehabilitation, and legal aid. Prevention efforts should educate on healthy relationships, online safety, critical thinking, and digital literacy to empower youth against exploitation.

 

Presentation Objectives:

•  Discuss the background and gaps in existing literature regarding minors trafficking other minors in the context of sex trafficking in the U.S.

•  Present the key findings from the study, including limited variations in gender and race among minor offenders, methods of victim identification by law enforcement, trafficker behaviors, means of control used, case outcomes, and implications for action, particularly involving schools and youth safety training

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In 2017, founded by Kenyette Tisha Barnes and Oronike Odeleye, #MuteRKelly used a hybrid organizing strategy to hold accountable R&B singer Robert Sylvester Kelly, “R. Kelly”, for over 30 years of unchecked sexual violence, sex trafficking, and violence against adolescent and young adult Black women and girls. As a result of the campaign, there was a marked economic loss of approximately $4 Million in lost ticket sales, bans from urban radio, canceled concerts, media and entertainment scrutiny (most notably the docuseries, “Surviving R. Kelly”), and a Federal conviction. #MuteRKelly, created a paradigm shift and exposed how the intersections of power, misogynoir, and adultification, created a breeding ground for corruption, sex trafficking, and abuse. #MuteRKelly approached activism from an intersectional lens, understanding that the dominant players within the anti-trafficking movement often neglect the unique experiences of Black female victims of sexual violence. Next, the campaign sought to organize a diverse coalition of legislative, judicial, mental health, media, entertainment, and community partners. Finally, #MuteRKelly employed traditional grassroots organizing, including protests, rallies, and the formulation of 13 global chapters, including Berlin and Amsterdam. In this session, the presenter will provide a call to action for intersectionality in programming, reporting, and agency leadership and to divest from the systemic marginalization of BIPOC thought leaders and survivors' voices in the anti-trafficking discourse.

 

Presentation Objectives:

•  Introduce attendees to the genesis, coalition partners, and historic progression of the #MuteRKelly Campaign

•  Reinforce the concepts of intersectionality, misogynoir, and adultification and synthesize how these concepts underpinned R. Kelly's 30-year sexual abuse and sex trafficking behaviors

•  Discuss how the intersections of power, race, misogynoir, and adultification underpinned the vilification of #MuteRKelly organizers and secondary trauma of R Kelly's survivors and their family members

•  Discuss the weaponization of social media and lack of response by social media moderators to address the abuse, doxxing, and harassment of #MuteRKelly organizers and survivors

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Join Dr. Shobana Powell and Cristian Eduardo in an exploration of the dynamics of psychological coercion in sex trafficking. They will present on how research on Biderman's Framework and cultic theory demonstrate the shared psychological coercion tactics used in sex trafficking, torture, and cults. The presenters will also discuss the practical applications for working with survivors. This workshop is beneficial to all who work in the anti-trafficking field, as psychological coercion can be one of the most common forms of control and yet one of the most difficult to identify, name, and heal from. The presenters will go beyond the basics of human trafficking, delving into the subtle manipulation tactics utilized by exploiters and providing culturally relevant case examples. The goal of this workshop is to 1) validate and normalize survivors’ experiences of psychological coercion, 2) empower mental health, law enforcement, legal, and other service providers with shared language around psychological coercion, and 3) replace movement-wide minimizing of the harms of psychological coercion with believing and supporting survivors.

 

 

Presentation Objectives:

•  Identify shared coercion tactics in sex trafficking and torture

•  Identify shared coercion tactics in sex trafficking and cults

•  Learn tips for working with survivors who have experienced coercive control

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Working in the field of trauma can be emotionally and mentally taxing for direct service providers. In order to be empathetic and ethical practitioners, it is crucial for professionals to prioritize their own self-care in order to effectively support survivors. With over two decades of experience in anti-trafficking and social justice work between the two of them, Brianne and Nora have seen how critical self-care is for providers in the field. Direct service providers often experience high levels of stress, compassion fatigue, and burnout due to the emotional and physical demands of their work. Throughout this presentation, the importance of self-compassion and self-awareness are emphasized as essential components of self-care. Various forms of self-care practices will be explored during this presentation; including mindfulness, breathing exercises, and self-reflection tools to better understand one’s own thought process and triggers. Trauma informed yoga combines movement, breath, and mindfulness to help providers release tension and build resilience. Overall, this presentation provides practical tools and strategies for direct service providers to cultivate self-care habits, enhance their reflective practices, and address inner conflict in a trauma-informed manner. By prioritizing their own well-being, service providers can continue to effectively support those they work with from a place of compassion and abundance. In conclusion, it is essential for direct service providers to prioritize self-care in order to prevent burnout and compassion fatigue. By incorporating regular self-care practices into their routines, providers better support others and continue doing the work they are passionate about.

 

Presentation Objectives:

•  Increase awareness and understanding of self-care practices among direct service providers, including educating direct service providers on the importance of self-care practices in preventing burnout and compassion fatigue

•  Explore the benefits and strategies of incorporating trauma-informed yoga as a self-care tool for both direct service providers and survivors, with a focus on promoting healing and empowerment through mind-body connection

•  Empower direct service providers with practical strategies and resources for self-care that they can integrate into their daily routines in order to maintain their well-being, decrease stress, and continue serving survivors with compassion and effectiveness

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