People’s everyday choices they make have implications that reverberate around the globe. As social workers, we care profoundly about people around the globe. Dire consequences are felt through modern day slavery, and most are unaware of how daily choices impact people and the environment leading to slavery, Mother Earth's destruction, refugee migration, and conflict among the most vulnerable people.

Presentation Objectives:

·       Discuss how everyday choices can impact people around the globe

·       Explain how these choices may lead to an increase in human trafficking and environmental, political, and social issues

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At the border between Nepal and India, citizens are free to cross without being required to show identification. The porousness of the border has led to the flourishing of human trafficking from Nepal into India. In response, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) began setting up unofficial checkpoints along the border to identify and assist women and girls whom they believed were being trafficked. Tiny Hands Nepal (THN) is an NGO that operates 20 border-monitoring stations in Nepal. THN began border-monitoring in 2006 and has collected extensive data from thousands of intercepts, including demographics of the trafficking victims (i.e., age, gender, education, economic status, and employment), motives for going abroad, recruitment methods, promises offered, relationships to traffickers, trafficking routes, and destinations. THN also facilitates the filing of legal cases against traffickers. This presentation will do a case study of approximately 30 convictions to analyze: 1) what substantive and procedural factors may lead to a successful conviction; 2) what proportion of intercepts lead to legal action; and 3) the factors relevant to whether legal action is taken.

Presentation Objectives:

·       Provide findings from over 4 years of data collected by THN about trafficking from Nepal to India

·       Identify trends and compare them with the prevailing understanding of human trafficking trends in Nepal

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This presentation will provide a road map on how to best use one’s organization to make a positive impact with respect to hiring, training, and supporting individuals coming from challenging backgrounds. Ohio incarcerates 53,000 individuals yearly at a cost of nearly $30,000 per person (this does not include the costs associated with our county jails). CleanTurn Enterprises leverages two brands (CleanTurn Demolition Services and She Has A Name Cleaning Services) to provide fair chance employment to those impacted by incarceration, addiction, human trafficking, and other challenging backgrounds. They have employed over 500 individuals in their first five years without the aid of public grant dollars, thereby creating a self-sustaining model of strong social impact. Communities most impacted by incarceration need us and this is why we exist!

Presentation Objectives:

• Provide a road map on how to best use one’s organization to make a positive impact
• Describe CleanTurn Demolition Services and She Has A Name Cleaning Services
• Describe the importance of providing fair chance employment

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It is a continuing challenge to find informative and reliable data sources on human trafficking, where the global community acknowledges that the lack of such data is actually a key element of the issue. Police data on human trafficking is generally acknowledged to be limited; however, it can provide us with a view to what is happening in our communities through its content. Equally, the lack of information or the data void in police records, can be revealing in how police agencies are responding to human trafficking. This can help identify whether their strategies are working, whether their investigative focus is effective, and if their community partnerships are robust. This presentation will focus on knowledge gained through the research and micro analysis of 2014 to 2015 policing data from a major Canadian municipality, and look at elements of both offenders and survivors and how they differ from established norms across the human trafficking community.

Presentation Objectives:

·       Inform the examination of how police agencies’ organizational structure and investigative placement may impact the agency’s capacity to investigative and confront this issue

·       Discuss how the limitations on police data and consequently national crime statistics may provide further insight to support their work in combating human trafficking

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TThe “Get Out” movie, by Jordan Peele, had such a striking resemblance to an incident that occurred to this presenter at a recent graduation party. She found herself frequently gasping during the movie. She documented her experience in a blog that bears the same name as my conference title, “Introduce me as Your Friend, Not Your Black Friend”. The presenter’s friend introduced the presenter to her parents as her “black friend”. Days after the introduction, she recalled several micro-aggression comments that she dismissed over the years, such as, “We all wish we could have rhythm like you,” and “I bet you were a pretty fast runner in high school.” While these comments seem fine on the surface, they are indirect, subtle, and oftentimes unintentional discrimination against members of a marginalized group. In the presenter’s case, being an African American woman, who is of mixed race, she would often rationalize away her feelings – that these comments did not seem right. In her life, the presenter has also spent time guarding herself against what Jordan Peele describes in his move as the “sunken place”. She realizes more people need to be educated on these topics and how to “stay woke”.

Presentation Objectives:

• Allow participants to examine, be aware of, and respond to micro-aggressive comments
• Describe how to recognize the “sunken place”
• Explain how to consider character, as opposed to race, when introducing someone
• Explain how to fully understand and train in your own identity to relate to others who are not like you

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The Blue Campaign is the unified voice for the US Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) efforts to combat human trafficking. Working in collaboration with law enforcement, government, non-governmental, and private organizations, the Blue Campaign strives to protect the basic right of freedom and to bring those who exploit human lives to justice.

Presentation Objectives:

·         Describe the Blue Campaign

·         Explain how the Blue Campaign is working to protect the right of freedom for victims of human trafficking and to bring traffickers to justice

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Predominantly tackled from a criminal justice perspective, the US State Department’s Annual Anti-Trafficking in Persons Report highlights the number of prosecutions and convictions. But, what has been achieved by this focus on convictions? When the dust settles after law enforcement raid and rescue operations, what happens to the victims? The reality is that, with limited government resources, in countries like the Philippines, support services and care are only given to victims who cooperate in investigation and prosecution, in spite of state policies that mandate otherwise. Even for those victims who cooperate, the questions persist: are services provided for their full recovery and reintegration, or are these services provided only in aid of investigation and prosecution? Are they given services to prevent re-victimization? Or are they just “rescued,” counted, and documented, only to be “rescued” again and again? Such a cycle of raid, rescue, documentation, and re-trafficking would increase the number of investigations a country could conduct, and maybe even their prosecution numbers. Certainly, it would help on the road to Tier 1. With this emphasis on criminal justice, where is the voice of the victim? What is the meaning of ‘justice’ to victims of trafficking in persons? To answer these questions, this presentation will analyze selected case studies in the Philippines.

Presentation Objectives:

·       Develop and promote an effective victim-centered approach to trafficking in persons

·       Present case studies from the Philippines

 

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The number of women who are incarcerated in US prisons has increased more than 800% over the past 20 years, and many women in the prison system have prostitution-related experience in their past. Although the prison population has exploded, the programs and services for women behind bars and re-entry opportunities for those soon released have remained spotty at best and non-existent at worst. This vulnerable population becomes even more at risk for falling victim to predatory management that can force them into exploitative situations, pushing them further into the margins. The stigma and shame that is already present for most women who have been in jail or prison is exacerbated by the lack of opportunities for employment and education upon release. This presentation outlines the work of the Sex Workers Outreach Project (SWOP) Behind Bars and their creation of a positive network between incarcerated sex workers and the sex worker rights community through the publishing of a national monthly newsletter, donating books to prison libraries, providing substance abuse recovery and trauma-informed material for self-facilitated programs, creating a pen pal program to further develop interpersonal relationships that are positive, providing scholarships for women who are incarcerated, and increasing their resources so they can successfully re-enter society after release from prison. Through their letters and direct communication, the presenter shares the voices of people behind bars who are reaching out for resources and community and share how, by working together and sharing stories, people impact other’s lives and, together, create social justice.

Presentation Objectives:

·       Define the SWOP Behind Bars Program and what they have done in the community

·       Discuss how to create a positive network between incarcerated sex workers and the sex worker rights community

·       Share the stories of incarcerated sex workers

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The problem of human trafficking does not exist in a vacuum, but rather is situated in the cultural values and norms of the societies in which it persists. When societies, such as that of the United States, are stratified by power, “isms” such as racism, sexism, and classism are prevalent. This prevalence and the resulting social capital differential between groups leads to a devaluing of subordinate groups of people, making human trafficking possible. Utilizing a social justice framework to promote diversity and inclusion work could lead to an understanding and reduction in human trafficking.

Presentation Objectives:

·       Understand the cultural and social antecedents of human trafficking

·       Relate macro level “isms” (racism, sexism, classism) to the micro level problem of human trafficking

·       Articulate how diversity and inclusion work, as a social justice perspective, relates to social problems like human trafficking

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This presentation is about a successful program, which reaches students between ages 8 and 18 in summer camps and after school programs. It involves students in learning about how they may become victims of trafficking and how they can avoid it as well. It also shows how everyone is complicit in labor trafficking by purchasing products made by enslaved people. It teaches students how to avoid situations which may lead to becoming entrapped in sex or labor trafficking. It then shows them how art has been an agent of social change for centuries and how they can collaboratively work with other students to produce art with a message, which will then be exhibited to teach others. The presentation will show participants how they can use or adapt the program in their own communities.

Presentation Objectives:

·         Teach participants how to adapt this program for their use

·         Explain how the different parts of this program work together

·         Discuss how collaboration and teamwork can reinforce information presented

·         Encourage participants to appreciate the confidence building aspect of the program as part of the prevention effect

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The term child soldier conjures up images of a war-torn, Sub-Saharan African child holding a battle-worn rifle, staring into the distance of an uncertain future. Their story is well known: a paramilitary organization entered an area and forcibly recruited children to engage in conflict—protecting arms, drugs, or “turf”. Through the marketing of the child soldier story and its emotional response, the international community has been moved to action through hosting awareness raising campaigns, generating mass donations for care, and establishing recovery and rehabilitation programs. There is no doubt that the international child soldier is viewed as a victim and is treated accordingly. But, what constitutes a child soldier and does national and international policy assign the label unfairly? Many domestic (North American) child gang members meet the national and international definition of child soldier, having been forcibly recruited to engage in conflict. Domestic gang members, however, are generally viewed as perpetrators of crime whereas international child soldiers are almost exclusively seen as victims of crime. This presentation argues that issues of race, borders, poverty, ethnicity, agency, American superiority, and prison industry profit have intentionally co-opted the definition of child soldier away from domestic child gang members and that a reconceptualization is necessary in order to address the issue.

Presentation Objectives:

·       Describe what constitutes a child soldier

·       Explain how domestic gang members are child soldiers

·       Discuss the factors that lead society away from viewing domestic gang members

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Human trafficking survivors are constantly reminded of their lived experience. They struggle with PTSD, Stockholm Syndrome, DID, nightmares, flashbacks, and memory loss. During their own trauma recovery, they fight against themselves to appear ‘normal’ and to survive in this alternate universe. Often the only help for them is to prescribe medication, psychotherapy, support groups, counseling, etc. All of these, and many other supportive services and resources, are needed; however, we are missing one of their most valuable resources: their bodies. Service providers can teach them to manage their stress and trauma episodes by regulating their own bodies response to these incidents.

Building personal resilience combines personal coaching or mentoring with scientifically validated tools to help individuals self-regulate responses to stress and build resilience. Often when a survivor has a nightmare, they wake up in a room or home with others that have no idea of how to help them. Developing and building personal resilience will result in mental clarity and focus, improved relationships, and an overall sense of well-being. During the presentation, a technique will be shared that will have immediate results. The effects of this presentation are not limited to survivors, but can be applied to anyone including individuals providing services for survivors. Introducing this valuable resource will help survivors continue to regain their sense of self and position them to help others safely.

Presentation Objectives:

·       Discuss the trauma victims of human trafficking can experience and the importance of trauma recovery

·       Share techniques to help survivors cope with trauma

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You’re invited to “pack a bag and grab that passport” as you embark on a multimedia journey around the globe with Women At Risk, International. This Michigan based, nonprofit organization was established to create circles of protection around at-risk women and children. Through culturally sensitive, value-added intervention projects and partnerships, they provide safe places to heal from abuse, trafficking, exploitation, and more. Each month, additional projects and partnerships are formed, increasing their ability to offer the rescued and at-risk a "hand-up" instead of a handout. You will experience some of their curative, supportive, and preventative programs that reach over 40 countries. Because this crime is targeting minors, you will be introduced to the highly successful youth prevention program, Warning Lights. This program (in its various forms) is making its way across the nation. It is fighting to protect our kids, teens, and young adults from the disguised lures of human trafficking. You will hear directly from “Jenn At War”, the author and program director, on how Warning Lights is being received by audiences, voted into school curriculums, and continually utilized by communities to create circles of protection for families. This emotional and memorable voyage will broaden your awareness, refuel your compassion for others, and reward you with new ways that you too can get involved.

Presentation Objectives:

·       Describe the Women At Risk, International and Warning Lights programs

·       Discuss how these programs are being utilized around the world

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With respect to human trafficking, Minnesota has spent a decade building and refining its response to sex trafficking, but its response to labor trafficking is less developed. This presentation will examine the challenges and new opportunities for prosecuting labor trafficking and effectively protecting victims in Minnesota. The workshop will present findings from The Advocates’ recent report, Asking the Rights Questions: A Human Rights Approach to Ending Trafficking and Exploitation in the Workplace, which illuminates the current state of labor trafficking prosecutions in Minnesota and its impact on victims. The presenters will also draw on several recent cases from the Washington County Human Trafficking Unit to provide examples of advances in prosecuting labor trafficking under Minnesota law and analyze ways to further improve victim protection. Finally, the presentation will look at a new initiative by the Minnesota Department of Health to improve outcomes for child victims of sex and labor trafficking and how it will impact the investigation and prosecution of labor trafficking.
Presentation Objectives:

• Explain where Minnesota currently stands in terms of labor trafficking awareness, victim response, and prosecution.
• Explore recent labor trafficking cases for possible ways to expand Minnesota’s approach to labor trafficking and better protect victims.
• Discuss a new initiative to improve outcomes for child victims of sex and labor trafficking and its potential impact on prosecutions.

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In 2014 The City of Edmonton was exploring changes to our municipal regulatory framework impacting Body Rub Centres as well as Escorts through the Body Rub Centre Task Force. This group consisted of law enforcement, social service providers, government officials, sex workers, and body rub centre owners. At this same time, the federal laws changed in Canada to decriminalize the selling of one’s own sexual services and re-focus enforcement on protecting victims of trafficking and exploitation, vulnerable communities, and hold buyers and traffickers to a higher account.

This session will explore how these criminal changes have impacted the work within our bylaws, the addition of another bylaw officer as well as a social worker to our City’s team and some of the work that this team is involved in, and the development of software, coined “Exposure”, which we are currently using to automate our online enforcement and outreach efforts.

Presentation Objectives:

·       Basic overview of the recent changes to Canadian criminal law

·       The City of Edmonton Body Rub Centre Task Force and recommendations to City Council

·       Edmonton’s bylaws and municipal efforts to make the licensed adult services industry safer for workers

·       The current use, and potential future uses, of our locally developed online adult listing software

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At the conference, the presenters will explain the main results of the Spanish research project, Life trajectories that move away or bring closer to the trafficking processes of sexual exploitation (2013-2015). This project was funded by the Spanish Women’s Institute, Ministry of Health, and Social Services and Equality, and the main researcher was Dr. Lidia Puigvert. This project was developed at CREA Research Center at the University of Barcelona. Drawing on CREA’s previous work and scientific contributions on breaking the silence on violence against women in Spain, in the project the presenters shed light on a collective of victims who remained invisible for social service providers and law enforcement until the research was conducted. The aim of the project was to explore the life trajectories of young Moroccan women between 15 and 21 years old from poor and rural areas of Morocco. They were seeking to improve living conditions with a migratory project to Spain and the factors that bring them closer to sex trafficking. The study was developed using the Communicative Methodology of research (Puigvert, Gómez, & Flecha, 2011). They conducted fieldwork in Spain and Morocco during 2015, entailing a sum up of 30 qualitative techniques of research.

Presentation Objectives:

• Provide an overview on sex trafficking in Spain
• Show the identification of new realities and collectives of victims as young Moroccan women sex trafficked in Spain
• Discuss the challenges of research on sex trafficking with a social impact

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Sex trafficking is a notorious transnational and international crime (Muftic, Finn, 2013; Raimi, 2012). A common precursor to sexual exploitation is childhood trauma (Campbell, Ahrens, Sefl, & Clark, 20013; Wilson & Widom, 2010). The mental health concerns among sex trafficking victims include emotional, behavioral, social, and spiritual ramifications (Clawson, Dutch, Solomon, & Grace, 2009; Hodge, 2014; Zimmerman, Hossain, & Watts, 2011). Despite the myriad of individuals sexually exploited annually within the United States, scant research attention focuses on the sequelae of trauma and subsequent posttraumatic outcomes. The Changing Actions to Change Habits (CATCH) specialty court provides defendants charged with solicitation, the opportunity of comprehensive assessment and treatment services. The purpose of this pilot study is to empirically investigate the relationship between trauma histories and post-traumatic stress outcomes among individuals enrolled in the CATCH program.
Presentation Objectives:

• Identify CATCH court in Franklin County, Columbus, Ohio 2-year treatment-oriented non-adversarial program for women charged with solicitation
• Recognize salient trauma histories among women engaged in sex trafficking

• Identify complex mental health concerns of trafficked women

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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

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