Engaging Homeless Youth in Trafficking Prevention and Intervention Strategies
Melissa Brockie | September 22 | 4:00 - 5:00 PM | Room 2584
Homeless youth and young adults present increased risk factors and exploitation for sex traffickers. Tumbleweed Center for Youth Development in Phoenix, Arizona provides services for homeless youth ages 12-25 and wanted to explore increasing programs and interventions for youth who experienced sex trafficking. Our agency partnered with five other agencies and were awarded the demonstration grant for Domestic Victims of Human Trafficking through the Department of Health and Human Services. Along with the grant, Arizona State University’s Office of Sex Trafficking, Tumbleweed and two homeless youth service programs in Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona partnered on the Youth Experience Survey. The survey explores the trafficking experiences of homeless youth and young adults (18-25). This presentation will share insight from the findings of the survey, along with program development to assist in meeting the unique needs of homeless trafficking victims, including groups, counseling, healing, housing and supportive coordination amongst direct service providers in two counties.
Presentation Objectives:
· To provide the results of the 2015 & 2016 Youth Experience Survey
· Contrast non-sex trafficking needs with victims of trafficking to help guide client needs
· To discuss how to expand prevention and interventions for trafficking victims within a homeless, youth serving program
· To build engagement strategies for existing clients to share their experiences and access services
To leverage community partners for needs such as legal, medical and housing.
Presentation Objectives:
· To learn what human trafficking looks like in rural communities