This presentation will address the historical and ongoing failure of the sexual violence prevention/intervention movement to meet the needs of youth survivors of color, the social injustice that often results in the sexual abuse to prison pipeline for these youth, and ways to engage in culturally-competent interventions to meet the needs of Black and Hispanic adolescent human trafficking survivors.

Presentation Objectives:

• Identify the historical views of sexuality, sexual violence, and mistrust of systems in the lives of people of color
• Challenge societal myths about human trafficking survivors of color, specifically as it relates to the idea of “the perfect victim” and how it impacts our own response to survivors of color
• Identify how our traditional advocacy, prevention, and intervention work needs to change in order to meet the needs of youth survivors of color, specifically related to the intersectionality of race/gender

This basic overview of human trafficking is most appropriate for those new to the field. Presenters will focus on both domestic and foreign trafficking as well as labor and sex trafficking. Topics will include the definition of human trafficking, how traffickers recruit, indicators for victim identification, and where and how to report suspected trafficking.

Presentation Objectives:

• Define human trafficking
• Explain the basics around how traffickers recruit
• Identify indicators for victim identification
• Learn where and how to report suspected trafficking

This presentation outlines collaborative work done with women who are currently incarcerated to better understand trafficking legislation and how to best support victims of trafficking. Through video chats, email, and post mail, our team defined the central research questions, determined how best to gather the data, and, most importantly, worked to effectively integrate the vision, perspectives, and voices of those who are marginalized and silenced by the prison industrial complex. Early on, the definitions and identities surrounding prostitution and trafficking in the sex industry became untangled, which then directly informed the research design, outcomes to be achieved, and difficulties encountered when incarcerated and non-incarcerated activists combine efforts to create knowledge. Ethical issues that occurred are explained and strategies are offered for making this scholarship available to legislators and the larger public.

Presentation Objectives:

·       Offer a research model that centers those most directly affected by US prostitution and trafficking laws

·       Explore the thin line that exists between individuals engaged in prostitution, victims of trafficking, and those convicted of trafficking as defined by current legislation.
 

This presentation shares research findings about who sex buyers are, where they live and purchase sex in Minnesota, how they enter the marketplace, and what they seek in the marketplace. The goal is to help close a significant gap in research, practice, and policy related to sex buyers and the demand for commercial sex. Presenters explore purchasing power, control, and commodification within the market for sex; as well as intersectional oppression related to race, gender, and income inequality. This report presents new and important information about people who purchase sex in Minnesota in order to illuminate a more complete picture of the overall marketplace for sex; this is no easy task. Commercial sex is hidden, illegal, often dangerous, and stigmatized. Data includes interviews with 157 statewide stakeholders, all cases of sex trafficking and prostitution referred to the Minnesota Court Information System (MNCIS), media coverage from 1995-2015, a review of the online sex advertising environment, and consultation with numerous stakeholders. The presenters will also highlight ideas for prevention and intervention.
Presentation Objectives:

·       Describe who sex buyers are and the demand for commercial sex, and basic market forces behind the marketplace for commercial sex

·       Provide an evidence-based understanding of who is purchasing sex in Minnesota, where they live and purchase sex, how they experience the market, and what they seek to purchase

·       Discuss ideas for demand-side prevention of sex trafficking and intervention to reduce exploitation

This presentation includes tensions in anti-trafficking legislation in Colorado, defining harm reduction in the anti-trafficking movement, and personal and policy strategies to help reduce harm. This presentation also includes statistics from the National Survivor Network on the criminalization of victims of human trafficking. Decriminalization as a means of harm reduction is also introduced.

Presentation Objectives:

• Define harm reduction in the anti-trafficking movement
• Describe personal and policy strategies to aid in reducing harm
• Introduce decriminalization as a means of harm reduction