Dr. Kristen Szabla was born into darkness. Specifically, she was born into a black, cataclysmic web of sexual abuse and exploitation. Dr. Szabla will describe her story of overcoming, not only to bring societal awareness to these all-too-common nefarious acts against humanity, but to bring hope, healing, and ultimately social and policy change. This presentation will chronicle how Dr. Szabla used her knowledge of neurobiology to expedite her journey from the helpless victim state to an empowered survivor/thriver state. Participants will experientially learn not only how the brain functions but how trauma damages and maladaptively wires specific areas of the brain. By understanding the neurobiologic underpinnings of trauma, participants will discover how traumatized individuals are held in a victim-like state, seemingly incapable of change. In addition, the concept of the trauma triangle will be discussed. Using personal examples and visual illustrations, participants will explore strategies as to how to utilize the power of the brain to transform the trauma triangle, potentiate brain rewiring, and expedite healing. This presentation is designed to be accessible for all audiences, regardless of their familiarity with neurobiologic concepts.

 

Presentation Objectives:

•  Provide a synopsis of the survivor’s life experience

•  Provide an overview of the brain in action to explain the neurobiologic impact of trauma and how trauma keeps individuals in a victimized state

•  Introduce the concept of the Trauma Triangle

•  Teach tactics to overcome the Trauma Triangle to potentiate the transformation from victim to survivor/thriver

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This presentation will explore the relationship between climate change and forms of forced and child labor. The role of extractive economic practices, war and conflict, and ongoing genocides will also be explored. This presentation utilizes community-based participatory research methods, including findings from grassroots and survivor-led organizations, to identify best and promising practices for the prevention and mitigation of forced labor and environmental plunder. Grounded in the theories of Fanon and Rodney, the presenter will draw upon the work of survivor-led organizations to explore solutions, including models for sustainability and community-based prevention models. Organizations discussed will include Friends of the Congo, the Free Alabama Movement, and Liyang Network. Case studies from U.S. national and international news sources will be used to contextualize the impact of forced labor and climate change on migrant workers, incarcerated peoples, youth, and frontline environmental defenders. Suggestions for research, policy, and practice will be explored at the end of the presentation. There will be opportunity at the end for discussion, including sharing out of commitments towards addressing the issue of forced labor, as well as partnering strategically with individuals and organizations working to combat labor trafficking and/or climate change. Resources will be included at the end, before opening up for a 15-minute Q&A with the panelist.

 

Presentation Objectives:

•  Investigate the relationship of climate change & forced labor

•  Explore the impacts of extractive economies on people and the land

•  Explore cross-sectoral solutions to human & environmental exploitation

•  Commit to at least one tangible action towards co-creating an abundant world

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Foreign national survivors of human trafficking experience a variety of barriers and needs related to their foreign national status. Serving this population often demands comprehensive responses that attend to immigration status, culture, language, nationality, and more. Added barriers arise surrounding awareness of labor trafficking, as it is widely lesser-known and more difficult to identify but makes up over 70% of trafficking cases among foreign nationals, according to current data. Particularly for undocumented individuals, meaning those without legal immigration status (i.e., a visa), steep barriers to stability and recovery arise from inability to obtain immigration relief, lawful employment, public benefits, and state identification. These barriers exacerbate vulnerabilities that put them at risk of trafficking. Certain immigration remedies are available to this group, including specialized pathways to status. However, immigration applications can take years for approval, meanwhile leaving these barriers to stability and recovery in place. Consequently, supporting foreign national survivors of human trafficking, especially those of whom are undocumented, requires a long-term, comprehensive, and community-based approach. This presentation will discuss these barriers, examine labor trafficking for this population, and showcase several available remedies, including pathways to immigration status. This session will also examine ways we make certain populations more vulnerable to human trafficking and practices for removing barriers to relief.

 

Presentation Objectives:

•  Describe barriers to services facing foreign national survivors of human trafficking and provide them attendees with guidance on how to reduce them

•  Improve attendees’ ability to understand and identify labor trafficking, particularly as it may present in the cases involving foreign national survivors

•  Discuss key remedies available to foreign national survivors of trafficking, best practices, and innovative approaches

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What if you were a victim of human trafficking but had no voice to tell your story? Kim and Marci—one artist, one writer, two voices for the Silent Ones. Let them introduce you to the Strawberry Girls. The Strawberry Girls are Moroccan women recruited each year to pick "red gold" in the strawberry fields of Spain. The shocking reality is that many of these vulnerable women are then lured into sex trafficking through lies, deception, and empty promises. Once they step foot in the brothel, they are trapped, and it will take a miracle for them to get out. But miracles do happen! One day, a safe house called and asked Marci to translate for a Moroccan woman who had just been rescued. This woman was a “Strawberry Girl.” In Marci’s continued work with these women, she began to identify a human trafficking line between Morocco and Spain. Unwilling to stay silent, Marci began writing their stories. Her friend and professional artist, Kim, began painting their stories. Through Kim's soulful artwork and Marci's poetic words from their Strawberry Girls Project, they invite you to step into the shoes of the Strawberry Girls and journey with them from slavery to freedom. Kim and Marci will guide participants through the experiences of the Strawberry Girls and inspire them to use their own unique talents and passions to join the anti-human trafficking movement in their own communities and around the world. What if you could make a difference right where you are?

 

Presentation Objectives:

•  Describe the 4-stage journey of The Strawberry Girls from Morocco to Spain, identifying common patterns of human trafficking victimization around the world, such as deception, lies, empty promises, and movement of people

•  Demonstrate how to use one’s passions and talents to raise awareness of trafficking

•  Invite participants to consider using their unique passions and talents to join the anti-human trafficking movement in their own communities and around the world

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This presentation introduces an AI-based campaign aimed at raising awareness about the harms of prostitution and combating sex trafficking. At its core, the initiative is to raise awareness of the situation of women in prostitution and recognition of the harms of prostitution, to act by providing accurate information and education, and to reduce the demand and social legitimization of prostitution. This is based on the understanding that women in the cycle of prostitution are the affected party, and that prostitution creates lasting harm to women. The strategy involves collaborating with partners including Naama, Shiran, D-ID, and potentially others, employing AI technology combined with creative storytelling to authentically convey the survivors' experiences while ensuring their anonymity. This approach fosters empathy and compassion towards these women and also supports their recovery and societal reintegration. Furthermore, by educating the public to reduce the consumption of prostitution, the campaign directly contributes to the fight against human trafficking, particularly of women. Highlighting the critical need for such an initiative, the presentation discusses the significance of lighting the damages of prostitution. It underscores the potential for societal transformation through increased awareness, reduced stigma, and supports the rehabilitation of women exiting prostitution. By promoting a social environment that condemns prostitution and recognizes women as victims of  life circumstances, the campaign aims to encourage more women to seek help, and ultimately, to contribute to the prevention of prostitution and related issues such as human trafficking.

 

Presentation Objectives:

•  Illuminate the harms of prostitution and sex trafficking through an innovative AI-based campaign

•  Foster empathy and support for the recovery and reintegration of women affected by prostitution and sex trafficking

•  Educate and alter public perception, reducing the consumption of prostitution and combating sex trafficking

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Work on the frontlines addressing human trafficking inevitably impacts the mind, body, and spirit. Being immersed in the impact of trauma, evil, and suffering will take a toll, but can also lead to a deeper understanding of self and others. Individuals working closely with trauma must be attuned to the impact of this work to remain in a position of effectiveness. The presenters believe that because vicarious trauma is an inevitability for anyone working with human trafficking or other forms of social injustice, having an understanding of it, being able to recognize symptoms in both individuals and organizations, and having a proactive plan for preventing and mitigating it is crucial. This presentation will define vicarious trauma, provide data from interviews conducted with service providers, and provide an opportunity for self-reflection as well as ideas for how to conceptualize and implement self-care and organizational-care.

 

Presentation Objectives:

•  Discuss the nature of vicarious trauma in both individuals and organizations, including contributors and symptoms

•  Present data from interviews with providers on their described impact of vicarious trauma and what they have found helpful to reduce and mitigate impact

•  Identify personal symptoms of secondary trauma

•  Discuss the role of self-care and organizational care and present a practical way to conceptualize and practice self-care

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People who have experienced a human rights violation are the ones who best know its root causes, consequences, implications, and solutions. Therefore, survivors should be at the heart of approaches to combat human trafficking. In fact, research in other human rights fields has documented successful outcomes of survivor inclusion. Free the Slaves and HAART Kenya initiated this research across East and Central Africa to better understand: 1) Which gaps and challenges limit inclusive survivor engagement in the counter trafficking sector? 2) How are organizations currently engaging survivors? and 3) How can organizations in East & Central Africa improve their inclusion of survivors? All presenters were part of the research team. From the start of the research, people with lived experience of trafficking were active as consultants, researchers, and interviewees. The research design followed a trauma-informed approach throughout.  Findings and recommendations are based on interviews with 18 survivor advocates and survivor leaders from Cameroon, DRC, Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Uganda, and South Sudan. Additionally, the counter-trafficking organizations they engaged with answered an online survey. The research lead to practical recommendations on how organizations can enhance survivor inclusion. The report also hopes to strengthen and encourage survivors of trafficking, survivor advocates, and leaders in their engagements with organizations. While research and recommendations are particularly informative for survivor advocates/leaders and counter trafficking organizations in Central and East Africa, it may also inspire others who wish to work for human rights more inclusively.

 

Presentation Objectives:

•  Inspire and inform survivors of trafficking, survivor advocates, and leaders in their engagement with organizations

•  Share findings and recommendations with organizations and individuals who want to improve and professionalize their survivor engagement

•  Describe the inclusive and trauma-informed methodology used for this research

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Survivor-Led Solutions (a nonprofit that focuses on leadership, professional development, and LeadHer Retreats for survivor leaders) is an opportunity to observe the lifespan of a survivor and find a safe space to continue leadership, professional development, and ongoing mental health services. Sharing the story from victim to survivor, from advocate to influencer, this presentation will help law enforcement agencies, mental health, and medical providers empower survivors to become the subject matter experts that they are. Understanding how to rally survivors holistically and stabilize and promote them in different areas within this work, survivor leaders are entrepreneurs in this field in a new way. The change is necessary, and the information is essential. This training will provide an advanced level of understanding of the psyche of the survivor from victim to warrior.

 

Presentation Objectives:

•  Explain the lifespan of a survivor from victim to warrior

•  Describe basic principles of the psyche and how to empower survivors

•  Provide critical key terms and points of transition that every survivor makes

•  Offer law enforcement, mental health, and medical teams tools for best practices

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