Shattered Rainbow: LGBTQ+ Human Trafficking Awareness, Prevention, Treatment, and Social Justice
Jared S. Rose | September 22 | 4:00 - 5:00 PM | Room 2592
Two of the most prominent social justice issues of our time are human trafficking and oppression of sex/sexuality/gender minorities (Smith 2015; Tomaszewski, 2014), yet frequently overlooked is how these two issues converge. Yearly, hundreds of thousands of LGBTQ+ individuals are victimized through human sex trafficking (Martinez & Kelle, 2013). Moreover, they are at higher risk of being trafficked than their non-LGBTQ+ counterparts (Cochran, Stewart, Ginzler, & Cauce, 2002; Martinez & Kelle, 2013). In addition to a general awareness, what is often missing in the conversation is how and why this population is at particular risk of being sold for sex. This presentation will address awareness, prevention, intervention, and social justice of LGBTQ+ sex trafficking through a three step process. An overview of the research findings on this segment of the issue will be detailed, bringing the awareness into clear focus. Next, education will be provided on the issues faced by LGBTQ+ individuals which puts them at particularly high risk of being victimized. Finally, the presenter will provide specific, concrete tools that can be utilized to combat the trafficking of LGBTQ+ persons. Such resources include LGBTQ+-affirmative approaches (Rose & Baltrinic, 2016), which can be utilized by any professional or student across a wide-range of disciplines including law enforcement, criminal justice, social work, and counseling. Resources for prevention and social justice will also be provided. Through this approach, participants will leave this presentation with the information and resources to address the problem of LGBTQ+ human sex trafficking.
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