In the United States, thousands of minors and young adults are victims of Human Trafficking (HT). US-born victims of HT are typically exploited through sex trafficking—commercial sexual exploitation. At least 20% of HT victims come to interact with healthcare providers (HCP) at some point during their victimization. Although some protocols and trainings to identify HT victims in healthcare settings (HCS) exist, HT victims often go unidentified. There is scant research in understanding the interactions between HT victims and HCPs. To address this gap, this study interviewed survivors of sex trafficking (SST). It sought to present their accounts on a) the HCS they visited, b) reasons for seeking care, and c) barriers to disclosing victimization with HCPs. This study utilized an exploratory concurrent mixed-method research approach. Data were collected from March 2016- March 2017 in San Diego, CA and Philadelphia, PA, (N=21). Univariate and inductive analysis were performed to analyze data. Emergency Departments (76.2%) and Community Clinics (71.4%) were the most frequented HCS. Main reasons for healthcare visits included treatment for STIs, followed by battery injuries (52.4%). This study confirmed that SST sought medical care during their victimization and provided essential insights as to the types of healthcare settings attended, reasons for seeking medical care and barriers limiting them from disclosing their victimization with HCPs.
Presentation Objectives:

·       Discuss commonly used HSC by SSTs

·       Provide a deeper understanding of what were the main reasons for seeking care

·       Describe barriers to victimization disclosure during their medical visit

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Goodwill has been awarded a $1.36 million federal grant to provide training, case management, mentoring, and employment services to incarcerated adults transitioning back into the community. Goodwill will serve approximately 170 men and women who are in work release programs, recovery houses, and residential release centers. They have placed many individuals back into the work force. In addition, the program is operated by all restored citizens who have served time incarcerated.

Presentation Objectives:

·         Describe the program that Goodwill will introduce as a result of federal grant funding

·         Describe the reasons and importance of effectively integrating citizens returning from prison back into the community

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). The Changing Actions to Change Habits (CATCH) specialty court provides human trafficking survivors charged with a crime, the opportunity of comprehensive assessment and treatment services. With no evidenced-based treatment interventions for survivors of human trafficking, it is important that people glean best possible practices from what is already available. Trauma-competent interventions and experiences will be discussed.

Presentation Objectives:

·       Overview of CATCH Court

·       Review of best practices that are currently available

·       Discussion of trauma-competent interventions

This presentation will discuss methods for educating healthcare professionals to recognize and respond effectively to suspected victims of human trafficking. The presentation consists of a one-hour film outlining the guidelines developed for the four Cleveland area health systems (Cleveland Clinic, MetroHealth, Sisters of Charity Health System, and University Hospitals). This resource, along with a manual, were created in response to the need for common guidelines among the health systems in order to assure improved quality of care and interdisciplinary communication among area healthcare providers, law enforcement, and social service providers. The film features local physicians, nurses, a social worker, law enforcement personnel, and a survivor.

Presentation Objectives:

·         Define the role of the healthcare professional in responding to human trafficking

·         Discuss the guidelines for responding to potential victims of human trafficking who may be encountered in local health facilities

·         Present the community partners with whom health providers need to establish strong working relationships

The purpose of this session is to present the current literature on global labor and sex trafficking among refugee and asylum-seeking populations, as well as the conditions that contribute to sex and labor trafficking risk among refugees/asylum-seeking populations. This presentation establishes a baseline of knowledge regarding what is currently known about sex and labor trafficking in refugee/asylum-seeking populations, and seeks to start a conversation and an agenda for further research, as well as for policy and practice.

Presentation Objectives:

·       Present current literature

·       Discuss the conditions among special populations

·       Start a conversation and agenda for further research, policy, and practice

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

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

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

The evolution of technology is opening doors for human sex trafficking using an online commercial advertising environment. The internet has enabled traffickers to advertise the services of their victims via web and cell phone dating, classifieds, and commercial sex platforms. This presentation is designed to aid public safety partners in identifying the current most popular sex trafficking web sites and cell phone applications, terminology used by victims and pimps, tattoos that may be identified in sex advertisement photos, the use of the Spotlight Program, how to safely navigate sex trafficking platforms, and what to do if you identify a possible trafficking situation. Topics that will be covered in this presentation include Backpage adult services section closure and its effects on the industry, a review of the top trafficking sites (Backpage, Craigslist, Locanto, Erotic Mug Shots etc), an overview of tattoos/branding and terminology, what to do when a suspected sex trafficking advertisement or internet application is found, and open source websites that can provide information and programs that can assist in investigations.

Presentation Objectives:

·       Brief overview of human trafficking

·       Discuss online and cell phone application commercial sex advertisement

·       Present examples of advertisements

·       Review the indicators of a possible trafficking victim ad

·       Discuss the terminology and symbols associated with these sites

Multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) exist in a variety of different settings. The question is how well developed is the team and how effective does the team function? Some teams suffer from barriers such as professional mistrust, issues with confidentiality, lack of support from administration, and overall lack of knowledge of what team members may bring to the table. In this interactive workshop, participants will examine the strengths and barriers of MDTs, how improved communication and collaboration foster a healthy environment for team collaboration, and help team members navigate tough discussion that have the ability to impact the client population served.
Presentation Objectives:

·       Explain the members and roles of an MDT and how a lack of communication and/or collaboration can affect clients

·       Explore the strengths and weakness of the MDT model

·       Explain the process of forming an MDT

·       Describe ways communication and collaboration can assist in the development of effective teams for the safety of the client

In this session, initial findings from the Michigan Human Trafficking Resource Survey (MHTRS) will be presented. A comprehensive statewide survey of public service agencies and advocates was conducted from May to August 2017 in order to assess the state of anti-trafficking resources in Michigan. Human trafficking is a pernicious problem whose harms are exacerbated by inadequate data, a lack of interagency collaboration, and persistent misconceptions about factors that make individuals vulnerable to exploitation. Despite increasing public awareness and a rise in the number of anti-trafficking humanitarian organizations, survivors and advocates report significant barriers to accessing help they need. Based on data from the MHTRS, this session explores this problem by examining gaps and redundancies in anti-human trafficking resources in Michigan: what services are being offered, by which types of organizations, and for which groups of individuals. The MHTRS research sample consisted of 317 organizations identified through referral lists provided by members of the Joint Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force (JATT), ethnographic research, and a purposeful sampling of organizations identified as geographically and culturally representative of service providers in the state: government agencies, health and human service providers, advocacy groups, and allied agencies in education and the faith-based community from throughout Michigan and Indian Tribal Nations. As of July 2017, 195 organizations completed the survey for a response rate of 62%.

Presentation Objectives:

• Present findings from the Michigan Human Trafficking Resource Survey (MHTRS)
• Explore the barriers, redundancies, and gaps in anti-human trafficking services
• Identify culturally appropriate interventions, trauma-informed approaches, trafficking terminology, and best practices involving survivor-leaders in the design and delivery of care.

The rape of children in America is shared every day in videos, photos and live-steams. Evidence of this crime is often displayed on the internet and in high volume. These types of crimes against children continue, in part, because of our collective denial and inaction. This presentation will provide an overview of over 1,000 child pornography arrests that will appear in Lori’s upcoming book, "Epidemic: America’s Trade in Child Rape." Findings from analyzed data include a common predator profile and themes of common responses from the institutions in which these predators worked. The presenter will provide information on the steps institutions and organizations need to take to ensure sexual predators are held accountable, and to decrease the likelihood that predators are hired. Discussion about preventing this type of child abuse will also take place. 

Presentation Objectives:

• Provide an overview of child pornography arrests
• Review common predator profiles
• Discuss steps necessary to ensure predators are held accountable
• Explore ways to decrease the likelihood predators are hired
• Discuss ways to prevent child abuse

This presentation aims to analyze trends in maritime-based and coastal human trafficking and smuggling in sub-Saharan states, specifically in East and West Africa. The presentation is part of a long-term collaborative research project of the One Earth Future Foundation that examines the extent of criminal maritime activities off coastal sub-Saharan African states. Mixed maritime migration has garnered attention in recent years in the Mediterranean Sea, but the Atlantic and Indian Ocean regions have largely been neglected. This presentation goes beyond an analysis of trends in maritime migration by examining whether increased security measures, including naval patrols by littoral states, have encouraged potential victims of smuggling to take more perilous routes through the Sahara Desert to reach their European target destination, during which their vulnerability to trafficking increases. The presentation, thus, offers a new perspective on how security policy has altered, rather than prevented migration. First, the presentation will examine historical regional routes in terms of frequency and destinations. Second, the presenter will discuss if and how security policy has altered routes to increase trafficking victim vulnerability. The presentation will assess whether a more nuanced security structure is needed to address the prevention component of trafficking. Lastly, linking changes in routes to illicit migration patterns will be explored.

Presentation Objectives:

• Present a perspective that can inform strategies to innovatively address existing responses to human trafficking
• Contribute to a larger discussion on localizing approaches to human smuggling and trafficking

This presentation will provide an overview of the political framework that has surrounded human trafficking in South Dakota and the many ways that it is currently being changed through the passing of new legislation. The male-dominated government positions typically have more influence and decision-making power. Women in government are challenging this, and are working to bring people to the table for conversations that challenge their long-held beliefs. Creating alliances of women from all socioeconomic backgrounds is important in order to partner together to combat trafficking. Additionally, it is important to utilize the current systems in place, including government programs, to use a systemic approach in identifying and combating trafficking in the Midwest.

Presentation Objectives:

• Discuss the political framework that has surrounded human trafficking in South Dakota
• Explain the importance of alliances by women of all socioeconomic backgrounds to partner together to combat trafficking.
• Discuss the importance of utilizing the current systems in place

The PATH (Partners Against Trafficking in Humans) Project is a community-wide, coordinated, transparent, and data-driven response to serve victims of human trafficking. The PATH Project was developed using a combination of the Office for Victims of Crime Comprehensive Services Model, the Pathways Model (a successful model used to increase the healthy births of high-risk babies), and elements of social work practice. The goal is to provide intensive and comprehensive services that move victims to survivors and survivors to thrivers. The vision is for the PATH Model to become an evidence-based model to be shared with other communities. Attendees will learn the components of the model and the experience of practitioners that are implementing the model.

Presentation Objectives:

·         Describe the components of the PATH Project and the PATH Model

·         Explain the continuum of care (including conceptual definitions of a victim, survivor, and thriver)

·         Present the basic findings from PATH Model data analysis

People use shame to stigmatize and classify social behavior. The presenters are interested in addressing why “slut shaming” is still acceptable within our system. People hear and experience slut shaming from law enforcement used as a tool to dehumanize others; from the rescue industry and health care professionals who should be part of our support system; from a legal system which divides people by class and demographic; and, most surprising, from peers in sex work as part of the whore-archy. In sharing the presenters’ experiences, they hope to identify opportunities for conversations about the harm that slut shaming does within our systems. The presenters feel that awareness of language used is a step towards educating others to be conscious of offensive slut shaming terminology and behavior. Everyone can work to reduce shaming as a tool, and increase constructive interactions in our systems.

Presentation Objectives:

• Define “slut shaming”
• Identify user groups of slut shaming
• Review steps for educating others of the effects using derogatory language has on individuals
• Increase constructive interactions

This presentation includes detailed information of what the sexual assault nurse examiner is able to do for victims of sexual assault. There will be an explanation of the extensive training the nurse must complete to be considered SANE-trained, how the patient benefits from a sexual assault exam completed by a trained SANE nurse, and explanation of the team approach, and what is included in a forensic exam. The presentation will conclude with a few case studies of patients that were seen and treated by SANE-trained nurses.

Presentation Objectives:

• Explain SANE nurse extensive training
• Provide information on the patient benefits from a sexual assault exam being completed by a trained SANE nurse
• Discuss the team approach and what is included in a forensic exam

How to avoid burn out as a social service worker will provide practical steps you can use immediately in order to prevent or reset from burnout. If you are experiencing physical, mental, or emotional burnout or if you want to prevent future burn out, this session is designed for you.

Presentation Objectives:

·       Teach participants to identify early signs of burnout

·       Explain the art of listening to oneself

·       Discuss how to measure self-progress

·       Describe the 7 principles from the acronym "L.E.T. I.T. G.O."  in order to live a balanced healthy life

As sex worker advocates and clinical social workers, these presenters aim to challenge the victim-centered approach to working with people in the sex trade. The presenters work from a harm-reductionist/risk-management perspective, drawing from experiences in community mental health and sex worker advocacy to better educate the audience on what the experience of sex work looks like for individuals of different race, gender, and economic status. Drawing on interviews, advocacy, and counseling with sex workers, the presenters will discuss how intersectionality and type of work influences people's experiences in the sex trade. As both sex worker rights organizers and clinical practitioners, they will highlight the challenges and successes they have had in providing direct services to individuals who have engaged in sex work. They will also use these experiences to critically consider the trafficking narrative and explore how that narrative may hinder our society's approach to supporting clients who have sex trade experience.

Presentation Objectives:

·       Outline optimal interventions both clinically and as a larger society to address issues in the sex trade.

·       Educate the audience through self-awareness and reflection exercises to improve their understanding of how their inherent feelings and thoughts influence their opinions and work with people who have experience working in the sex trade

·       Provide social service professionals practical and effective ways they can assist individuals impacted by the sex trade by spotlighting free legal services, housing, support groups, counseling, and street outreach efforts

This session will present an overview of Project NO REST, a five-year effort funded by VOCA the Children’s Bureau, and its approach to strengthening and supporting North Carolina’s infrastructure for addressing the trafficking of vulnerable youth in the state, especially those with a child welfare connection. The session will cover the project’s development of a comprehensive plan to address both sex and labor trafficking. The session will discuss the creation of the plan by approximately 100 stakeholders from state and county agencies, non-profits, the faith community, and advocates. It will review the plan’s recommendations for prevention, youth engagement and outreach, screening and intake for victims of trafficking, services and practices for trafficking survivors, funding, and data gathering. The session also will describe the recruitment of five communities across the state to build and develop collaborative networks to implement the comprehensive plan. The session will describe the initial activities of each site and plans for the future.

Presentation Objectives:

·       Overview of Project NO REST

·       Review of the projects comprehensive plan to address sex and labor trafficking

·       Discussion of recommendations for prevention, youth engagement and outreach, screening and intake, services and practices, funding, and data collection for victims and survivors

Although health care workers are one of the few professions to interact with girls who have experienced sex trafficking, and as many as 50% of girls seek medical attention during their time in the sex trade, health care workers are often unprepared to identify and appropriately treat them. In a recent study of emergency medicine residents, Emergency Department (ED) attending's, ED nurses, and hospital social workers, only 4.8% felt some degree of confidence in their ability to identify and 7.7% to treat a trafficked patient. Because there are several complex health issues associated with sex trafficking, healthcare professionals need to know how to identify and treat these girls. In addition, there needs to be better methods established to gather data in the clinic, hospital, urgent care, and ER settings.

Presentation Objectives:

·       Present the current research literature as it applies to the intersection of health care and sex trafficking

·       Describe our current research projects in this area and preliminary findings

·       Provide next steps and future directions in this area

This presentation seeks to destigmatize mental illnesses for employers and employees. Most mental illnesses are impairments that affect an employee in at least one major activity that (s)he must do daily. Therefore, discrimination or harassment based on a mental illness likely violates the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Employees will learn about their legal rights if they have a mental illness including anxiety, depression, bipolar, ADHD, autism/Asperger’s, schizophrenia, OCD, and others. The presenter will discuss using hypotheticals, why employees should document discussions and request reasonable accommodations before they have performance or conduct problems. In addition, the presenter will review what to do if they were discriminated against or harassed based on their mental illness. Employers with more than 15 employees are required under the ADA to provide reasonable accommodations to employees with disabilities, unless doing so would impose an undue burden.  If an employee tells a supervisor that (s)he has a mental illness, the employer has an ongoing duty to engage in a discussion with the employee about the illness; how (and if) it limits the employee’s performance; reasonable accommodations to aid the employee to perform the essential functions of the job; and medical documentation needed, if any. Employers must have a “no tolerance” policy for employees or third parties (e.g., vendors, customers) who discriminate or harass other employees because of their mental illnesses. The presenter will discuss how to have these conversations, and learn tips for employers, like having clear policies, training supervisors and HR, and documenting discussions with employees to mitigate risk.

Presentation Objectives:

• Destigmatize mental illness for employers and employees
• Review how affected employees will learn about their legal rights
• Explain the importance of documentation of accommodation requests
• Discuss how to legally handle discrimination/harassment

Through the story of a survivor of human trafficking, the impact of occupational therapy as a form of innovative treatment will be shared. A journey that includes breaking free from human trafficking, recovering from addiction, addressing and moving past life traumas, and learning how to live a new and successful life will be shared from a survivor and her occupational therapist. The most effective treatment for survivors of human trafficking include treatment involving but not limited to job placement, independent living skills, housing, basic needs being addressed and met, health education, educational opportunities, trauma specific treatment, social skills, and any other needed skill building areas in a person’s life (Johnson, 2012). These areas can be addressed by an occupational therapist from assessment to treatment as part of the team for a holistic approach to sustained success for survivors. Survivors of human trafficking benefit from skill development and according to the occupational therapy practice framework, many areas fall into the scope of practice for occupational therapy, including but not limited to: self-care, financial management, employment, meaningful activity, meal planning and preparation, community mobility, relationship development, problem solving, impulse control, and many other areas (American Occupational Therapy Association, 2014).
Presentation Objectives:

·         Discuss the role of Occupational Therapy in treatment for individuals in human trafficking

·         Explain the holistic view on survivors and how occupational therapy can play a role in recovery

·         Assist participants in developing empathy through the sharing of a survivor’s story

Many of the discussions, prevention and intervention programming, and front-line assessments are designed to target either the victim (survivor) of sex trafficking or the buyer by addressing demand through legal interventions or educational programming. While anyone, regardless of gender, can be a trafficker, this workshop is specifically focused on male perpetrators. This workshop provides a holistic view of the circumstances or vulnerabilities that may lead a young man to engage in criminal behaviors inclusive of trafficking, including but not limited to, the mass marketing of hyper-masculinity, socioeconomic inequalities, and institutionalized oppression. By discussing the trafficker as someone needing prevention services we position ourselves on the national level to make systemic changes for young men to enhance their well-being and to potentially save our girls.

Presentation Objectives:

·       Address the circumstances that may lead young men to engage in human trafficking

·       Allow participants to critically reflect further on how they assess trafficking cases and provide a new means of services to explore

The State of Minnesota joins with other communities in asking: “How can systems be changed to better protect child trafficking victims, prosecute traffickers, and prevent trafficking?” The session will begin by explaining the history of Minnesota’s safe harbor model in the context of other state and federal responses to the trafficking of children. Then, the discussion will utilize interactive methods to discuss complex issues: interagency systems change, access to services, policy and service changes necessary to integrate labor trafficking into existing safe harbor models, development of survivor advisory boards, creation of multi-disciplinary teams and agency protocols, and the specific role of the child welfare system in the safe harbor response under the Minnesota No Wrong Door model. Participants with diverse backgrounds, including multi-disciplinary systems professionals, survivors of sex and labor trafficking, and researchers, will also benefit from the open-ended style of this workshop.
Presentation Objectives:

·       Explain the Minnesota safe harbor response model, including ongoing efforts funded by a federal OVC grant to expand safe harbor to all trafficking victims under age 24

·       Discuss the role of the child welfare system under recent federal laws and state amendments requiring identification and response to trafficking

·       Discuss Minnesota’s public health approach and the regional navigators model for improving access to services for victims of both sex and labor trafficking

·       Engage participants in a multi-disciplinary discussion on systems change designed to better protect victims, prosecute perpetrators, and prevent all forms of human trafficking

Ann Marie Babb is a Satanic Ritual Abuse and Human Trafficking survivor who was diagnosed with Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) in her early 30's, and has spent the last 25 years navigating the mental health maze looking for help. She will talk about her experience and the fact that integration was not an option for her. She challenges the mental health community to think outside the box and that integration is not the only answer or cure for DID. She will use her past experience as an educational experience about DID and be transparent about coping and surviving with DID.

Presentation Objectives:

·       Share her personal experience with trauma and recovery

·       Explain her challenges in living with DID

This workshop presents a comprehensive overview of the needs and characteristics of adult women seeking treatment and services over the course of a decade at Street’s Hope, a residential facility for women leaving the sex industry and escaping sex trafficking. Street’s Hope provides transitional housing and is part of a larger grassroots movement nationwide to provide necessary services to women in need. Street’s Hope is one of approximately two dozen facilities nationwide that provide these specific services, and is known as a leader in the Rocky Mountain region. This workshop addresses how Street’s Hope’s unique clinical-based, survivor-informed treatment and services model has been developed and implemented over the last several years, and how this can be a model for other organizations as more specialized facilities develop nationwide.
Presentation Objectives:

• Present participants with an evidence-based and survivor-informed perspective on the scope of human trafficking and the women Street’s Hope serves
• Describe the needs women face when leaving the sex industry or escaping sex trafficking, and how Street’s Hope comprehensively addresses these needs
• Describe what additional services need to be in place in order to assist survivors with long-term success

Over the last several years, law enforcement has seen a massive increase in the number of sex trafficking cases involving minors in the US. There has been limited research on a national picture of sex trafficking of minors. The ASU Office of Sex Trafficking Intervention Research examined sex trafficking cases of minors throughout the United States from 2010 to 2015. The research identified 1,416 persons arrested for sex trafficking of a minor in 46 states. Details about the cases will be explored and characteristics and sex trafficking patterns of traffickers will be presented through an interactive dashboard that explored maps and graphs of the study findings.

Presentation Objectives:

• Present the study findings
• Identify the characteristics and patterns of minor sex traffickers

Six cases were identified from the general population of an inpatient psychiatric hospital unit, including one male and five females. Two had been labor trafficked and four were suspected or confirmed to have been sex trafficked. The cases demonstrated a tremendous diversity of demographic and psychiatric risk factors. Risk factors included substance use, homelessness, psychosis, and immigration status. These cases indicate the importance of routinely screening for trafficking victims in medical settings, specifically inpatient multidisciplinary medical settings, such as inpatient psychiatry services. Identification of cases is a requisite step in providing informed and evidence-based treatments and enabling the secondary prevention of re-exploitation. Inpatient mental health teams are encouraged to be attentive to the complex relationship between psychiatric symptoms and human trafficking. Additional research is warranted given the limited current empirical research on this topic area. While there currently are many readily available screening questions and tools, there are no validated screening tools for trafficking victims in the medical setting. This acts as another major obstacle to overcome in moving from clinical suspicion to a more effective, generalized screening process in medical services. Human trafficking is a serious and prevalent human rights violation that closely intersects with mental health. Limited empirical attention has been paid to the presentations and identification of trafficking victims in psychiatric settings.

Presentation Objectives:

• Describe the sometimes-insidious nature of many presentations of trafficking victims to mental healthcare providers

• Present psychiatric illness as an independent risk factor for becoming a victim of trafficking

Gain understanding of how the empowerment approach can be used to empower and equip individuals with reaching their goal and working through past trauma.

Presentation Objectives:

·       Explain the process of change

·       Describe the art of building therapeutic rapport for positive change

·       Teach participants to understand how one’s bias can affect positive change

·       Discuss and teach participants skills to go from motivation to inspiration in order to produce lasting change

The right to adequate health and the wellbeing of humans is undoubtedly a universally recognized right in the human rights discourse. For centuries, international human rights instruments, including landmark declarations such as the UDHR, treaties, and standards, have since embraced “health” as a human right. However, there are significant variations in how health policies and laws are being implemented by member States. These cause a variance in the type of services and care provided by different states. Furthermore, sexual and reproductive health rights are becoming recognized as part of the right to health in several countries, including South Africa as stated in section 27 of the 1996 constitution. When addressing the horrors of human trafficking, focus is often on prosecution of perpetrators, which States view as one of the pillars of tackling the trafficking problem. Although this effort is commendable, it creates a narrow perspective, which may result in a non-existent discussion on some significant human rights violations that may also arise as a result of human trafficking. Central to this is the right to health which includes the sexual and reproductive health rights of the victim or survivor, particularly where the trafficking activity is for sexual exploitation. State and international responses to the trafficking of persons must take into consideration the health of women, especially their sexual and reproductive health needs at all stages of trafficking.

Presentation Objectives:

·       Discuss what is included in human rights and how this relates to the rights of trafficking victims and survivors

·       Explain how human trafficking, particularly sex trafficking, is a public health hazard

·       Discuss the health implications of sex-trafficking for women