Aura Freedom's Human Trafficking (HT) Info Hub is an online resource created to prevent sex trafficking in Canada. It is built on extensive grassroots frontline work and activism with the focus of addressing root causes to prevent sexual exploitation in Canada and beyond. This framework is drawn from Aura Freedom’s award-winning "Human Trafficking Peer Prevention Project" (HTPPP), in which, selected youth, including survivors of domestic sex trafficking, received HT-related and anti-oppressive training, coaching, and mentoring that they later employed to bring awareness to HT and empower other vulnerable youth in schools, youth shelters, migrant-focused organizations, Indigenous groups, and other communities in Toronto. Through this project, plus advocacy at different levels of government, and more than 10 years of doing human trafficking prevention work and supporting survivors, the HT Info Hub highlights the accumulated knowledge and expertise of Aura Freedom and its collaborators that is centered on human rights, intersectional feminism, and equity for everyone. The HT Info Hub lists information on coercive control, the luring and grooming process, barriers to getting help, control tactics, healthy relationships, root causes, and much more. The presentation will introduce attendees to Aura Freedom’s ground-breaking online resource center to prevent sex trafficking, which is a part of their ongoing “Relentless Resilience” movement to end gender-based violence in Canada. HT Info Hub will be highlighted as a resource that the attendees can use to learn more about domestic sex trafficking and employ grassroots expertise and experience to build their own preventative programs. Attendees should come with an open mind and willingness to learn more about the nuances of trafficking.

Presentation Objectives:

· Guide attendees through an interactive tour of the various features, sections, and resources of the HT Info Hub

· Address root causes to prevent youth sexual exploitation

· Discuss strategies to build anti-trafficking programs rooted in equity and grassroots activism

· Highlight the HT Info Hub as a trustworthy resource that is trauma-informed and survivor-centric and based on years of grassroots anti-trafficking work and research

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The U.S. Victims of Trafficking and Violence Prevention Act requires the U.S. State Department to evaluate other countries’ anti-trafficking policies and impose economic sanctions on those countries which are not making serious efforts to improve their performance. In its annual Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report, the U.S. State Department places countries into “tiers” based on their performance. Tier 1 countries are meeting minimum standards, while poor-performing tier 3 countries may be sanctioned. Scholars, activists, and policymakers have criticized the TIP scoring and sanction decisions for being influenced by U.S. geopolitical interests, for preferring prosecution policies, and for emphasizing sex trafficking over other forms of trafficking. This study asks if these criticisms have merit. The researcher examines the U.S. TIP report tier rankings and sanction decisions using generalized order logistic regression models on a novel data set. Independent variables include those related to policy performance and those which imply geopolitical bias. Findings indicate that while U.S. scoring and sanction decisions are informed by policy performance, geopolitical interests also matter. U.S. military partners are more likely to be scored at tier 2. Furthermore, results reveal that though prosecutions do inform scoring decisions, victim protection policies are also influential. However, TIP scoring decisions seem to undervalue intersectoral coordinating bodies and international cooperation. Finally, the researcher finds no evidence that the U.S. emphasizes sex trafficking in its scoring decisions. The presentation concludes with recommendations for reducing bias in the U.S. TIP reports and sanction decisions.

Presentation Objectives:

· Summarize and evaluate criticisms of the U.S. TIP reports and sanction decisions

· Discuss implications for policy advocacy and U.S. diplomacy

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Trafficking survivors experience a wide range of systemic challenges including micro-aggressive behaviors, unemployment, stigmatization, a prolonged judicial system, and lack of reintegration policies in their post trafficking (Adhikari 2011; Dhungel, 2017; Sharma, 2014). COVID-19 escalated the pre-existing social injustice in the lives of trafficking survivors for sexual exploitation in Nepal. Using a qualitative research paradigm, 4 focus groups were virtually conducted. Fourteen people participated in the study. The research question was: How does COVID 19 impact socio-economic and mental health of trafficking survivors in Nepal? The data was transcribed and was thematically analyzed. This study found that COVID-19 escalated the vulnerability of trafficking survivors to socio-economic marginalization and mental health challenges. Anti-social behaviors, exclusion, anxiousness, sadness, loneliness, and depression have significantly impacted the mental health and psychological wellbeing of survivors. No mental health services are available for trafficking survivors in general and amidst COVID-19 in particular. Providing services to trafficking survivors never became a priority for the Government of Nepal during COVID-19. The implications of the study for policy, programs, and research are significant. Providing funding to community-based organizations working with trafficking survivors for mental health services is critical. Using an equity lens, programs need to be designed and implemented in a way that the programs meet the needs and aspirations of each survivor. It is also recommended to develop public and mental health policies and programs in order to effectively meet the needs of the survivors.

Presentation Objectives:

· Examine how COVID-19 escalated trafficking survivors' isolation and loneliness

· Discuss the intersectional gender oppression experienced by trafficking survivors amidst COVID-19

· Explore the resiliencies of trafficking survivors during COVID-19

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After selling your body to the highest bidder, you forget who you are, where you belong, and who, if anyone, loves you. Renee Jones is a survivor of human trafficking. She will share her life story on how she got in and how she got out. What if you were given the most appealing chance to escape and took it, just to find out your love landed you in the hands of a human trafficker who locked you in a box? This is Renee’s story. Many individuals do not think twice about human trafficking and the person who’s in it. They walk by you in the stores, are on flights with you, or may live in your neighborhood or next door. The reality is that this could happen to anyone. The wake-up call is “it happened to me” and no one knew. This workshop is for the strong, curious, weak, and most of all those who say, “This will never happen to me.” Renee said the same thing and today, she is wondering who she is. The best way to teach someone is to show them how it was done, to inform them about the slick, smooth, and fatally cool. In this presentation, Renee will share her story and describe ways a person could in and out of trafficking.

Presentation Objectives:

· Describe the signs of human trafficking through a role play

· Explain what to do and how to act if someone suspects human trafficking

· Discuss how to assess the needs of individuals who have been trafficked

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This presentation will discuss the presence of human trafficking within the sex industry by summarizing the research paper, “Deploying artificial intelligence to detect and respond to the use of digital technology by perpetrators of human trafficking”. This research study was conducted by the International CyberCrime Research Centre in contract with Tiana Sharifi of Sexual Exploitation Education (SEE). Web crawlers were programmed and trained to detect human trafficking online, specifically on prostitution websites. A coding system had to be developed to indicate with certainty that a prostitution ad was that of a human trafficking victim. When 3 or more elements from the developed coding was present, ads were flagged as human trafficking. Tiana will explain what signs are indicative of human trafficking on these digital platforms, including symbols and images. She will also discuss the strategies that human traffickers use in advertising their victims and how the internet is used in modern day sexual exploitation. With up to 38% of advertisements being classified as human trafficking victims, the implications of these results are that human trafficking and sex work policies cannot be addressed as two separate conversations as they occur within the same industry.

Presentation Objectives:

· Discuss how the internet is used by human traffickers, specifically with advertising their victims

· Present the key words, phrases, and symbols indicative of human trafficking on prostitution/ escort websites

· Discuss how human trafficking and sex work occur within the same industry and why it is important to consider both when looking at prostitution laws

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Occupations are activities that people participate in that are meaningful to them; this ranges from their basic needs (such as sleep) to their wants according to their interests (leisure activities such as hiking). When stripped away from one’s occupations, this can be identified as occupational deprivation. Occupational deprivation is “a state in which a person or group of people are unable to do what is necessary and meaningful in their lives due to external restrictions” (George & Stanley, 2018 as cited in Wilcock & Hocking, 2015). Occupational deprivation is one of the consequences that comes from human trafficking. The trauma that results from human trafficking affects individuals in various areas including physical side effects like bodily injuries, sexually transmitted diseases, and infections, as well as psychological effects involving depression, feelings of despair, and isolation to name a few (Cerny, 2016). Occupational therapy (OT) can assist in the recovery of those who’ve endured human trafficking through various therapeutic activities implemented. There is evidence-based literature that has shown significant effects form OT intervention. This presentation will serve as an introductory level to the role of OT when assisting human trafficking survivors.

Presentation Objectives:

· Discuss OT’s role when working with survivors of human trafficking

· Describe signs of human trafficking with appropriate steps for reporting a human trafficking situation

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At the 2021 IHTSJ Conference, feedback indicated some people were unaware that treatment for people with pedophilia could be successfully managed. This presentation delves into the importance of treatment for individuals struggling with pedophilia. Robert Longo has listed 17 tasks which those with sexual offending behavior need to achieve for community safety. These tasks will be listed and how treatment promotes healing and safety will be discussed (Longo & Blanchard, 1998). Various programs both in the U.S. and elsewhere will be evaluated regarding treatment modalities. Interviews with clinicians, including Isabel Schilg and Matt Rosenberg, dealing with this population will also be featured as well as how success is defined. An additional component will be to examine the motivation offenders might have for seeking treatment, including involvement in the criminal justice system, family pressure, and voluntary admissions of deviant sexual urges. In addition, issues around mandatory reporting are also reviewed to clarify if these requirements both enhance and limit helping victims who are deserving of healing. The goal is not to discontinue mandatory reporting, but to determine any ways in which mandatory reporting can become a barrier. Clinicians working with survivors of child sexual abuse and human trafficking benefit from understanding this dilemma. Another component of this discussion is to examine how treating sexual perpetrators in a public health environment differs from the criminal methods used currently. The goal is to explore options and increase awareness of alternative methods to dealing with this critically important issue.

Presentation Objectives:

· Utilize the tasks of recovery outlined by Robert Longo to explore how accomplishing each task promotes community safety and healing

· Examine various therapeutic approaches and settings in which treatment for sexual predators takes place

· Examine ways in which voluntarily seeking help with sexually deviant urges can be an effective means of promoting community safety

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Historic and current events alongside issues within systemic structures indicate that racially marginalized youth are more likely to be treated unjustly, thus increasing their vulnerability to risk behaviors (Nicholson & Smith, 2020). Arts-based interventions for young at-risk individuals leads to social, emotional, and psychological well-being (Thompson & Tawell, 2017) and has implications for collective empowerment and social change (Christens & Dolan, 2011). Seventy-five young artists were recruited to participate in summer internship program hosted by an art agency. Students learned art skills and participated in leadership training program. Informed consent and assent were taken prior to data collection. Pre and post data were collected using convenient sampling via online surveys. Focus group interviews were conducted virtually after the program concluded. These data helped researchers examine: (1) participants’ self-reported social skills, leadership development, and civic duty engagement, and
(2) participants’ experience of individual and collective empowerment. Fifty-one participants completed the survey, about 60% of the participants were from racial/ethnic minority groups. The results show that the scores in the post-survey were slightly better than the pre-survey for certain skills. Participants reported an increase in verbal communication, networking skills, sense of personal attachment to the community, and leadership skills. Focus group themes also identified that the program empowered these participants as they developed their skills in art and leadership. These results have implications at micro, mezzo, and macro levels. Transformative learning pedagogies utilizing arts as a medium of expression can lead to transformative experiences for participants thus empowering them to design social change.

Presentation Objectives:

· Provide an overview of the study, research questions, methodology, and findings

· Highlight common challenges experienced by marginalized youth in the field of art

· Demonstrate how to advocate for expanding the presence and agency of artists, storytellers, and leaders of color in the arts community

· Utilize theoretical framework to engage community and various stakeholders in the community for a social change

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Prior research has shown that sex traffickers often tattoo or “brand” victims, however there is little information available on the characteristics of these tattoos and how to recognize them. The purpose of this research is to analyze sex trafficking related tattoos, which can assist in the identification of possible victims, sex traffickers, and trends within sex trafficking cases. Using data from the Human Trafficking Database (HTD) in the Multnomah County, Oregon Jail, images of tattoos captured by a corrections sergeant during the booking and housing of 253 suspected sex traffickers and 57 suspected sex trafficking victims (n=310) were examined. The tattoo images were organized into themes based off of their content, and 15 tattoo themes were developed. Because traffickers and victims of sex trafficking often enter correctional institutions for crimes other than trafficking, recognizing tattoos can be a critical piece for connecting cases and for tracking the individuals. This study analyzes the extent to which certain categories, locations on the body, and quantities of tattoos are related to sex trafficking for both victims and traffickers. Examples of the images will be provided that depict the quality and location of the tattoos. The findings contribute to the understanding, awareness, and response to sex trafficking cases, not only for law enforcement but for all stakeholders involved in sex trafficking cases and for the community as a whole.

Presentation Objectives:

· Provide an overview of the study, including the purpose, methodology, and findings

· Describe the implications based on the research and recommendations for law enforcement and additional stakeholders

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