Contemporary Issues in Human Trafficking Aftercare
Benjamin L. Corey | September 23 | 10:10 - 11:10 AM | Room 3020
After exiting their trafficking situation, trafficking survivors are in need of a variety of healthcare and social services in order to begin the journey to holistic healing and wellness. Thankfully, in the United States we see an increasing number of organizations dedicated to meeting these needs. However, the growing number of aftercare oriented organizations raise questions as to the most effective approaches to trafficking aftercare, both from a client-focused standpoint and in the realm of organizational barriers and effectiveness.
Summarizing the findings of four years of doctoral research with multiple aftercare organizations, this presentation will focus on several outcomes.
Presentation Objectives:
· Have a clear understanding of the needs and barriers survivors face in aftercare,
· Have an up-to-date view of systemic barriers to success programs are reporting,
· Develop an awareness of the existing structures and guiding philosophies employed in the field,
· Explore how power dynamics are impacting the success and failure of aftercare,
· Discover how lack of collaboration and distrust between providers may be impacting everyone, especially survivors, and how we can contribute to a solution.
Additionally, this presentation will also address other issues revealed by field research, such as: survivor harm caused by trafficking organizations, problematic relationships with law enforcement, road-bumps experienced with survivor led initiatives in aftercare, and the split between faith-based and non-faith based aftercare initiatives.
Presentation Objective:
To have a solid, data-based understanding of these critical issues-- which impact not just aftercare programs, but the entire movement.