Familial trafficking looks different, has different outcomes, and needs different interventions than what is considered “traditional” human trafficking. In this session attendees will consider literature where the variations occur, and be given resources to try and address familial trafficking in their communities. A survivor’s case study will be given and several resources on familial trafficking vulnerabilities and outcomes will be discussed. Offender profiles and parental warning signs and contributing factors considered in a broad lens of trafficking and vulnerabilities will be given. General applicable information about working with youth and key signs of risk will be presented as well. Familial trafficking is more prevalent and more complicated than typically perceived. In this session, attendees will be equipped with resources to begin incorporating this reality into their work. Learning to distinguish the unique factors associated with familial trafficking can support wholistic service provision and comprehensive awareness in our communities.

 

Presentation Objectives:

•  Discuss the risk factors in familial trafficking

•  Present a survivor case study

•  Describe parental risk/familial perpetrator risks

•  Explain the differences in “traditional” human trafficking narratives

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Featuring two powerful and dynamic survivor leaders, Katie and Marjorie will share their journey on how they recovered from feeling hopeless as human trafficking victims to helping other survivors. Both will share their compelling stories about their trafficking experience. They will emphasize the force, fraud, and coercion that kept them psychologically stuck in the cycle of trafficking. They will capitalize the audience on their inspiration to leave their trafficking situation and describe their miraculous trauma recovery. In an interview style, Katie and Marjorie will focus on the importance of survivor engagement. They will highlight their experiences serving on the 3Strands Global Foundation Survivor Board and other survivor leader community involvement. They will highlight the magnitude of lived experience while working with law enforcement and community service providers. Marjorie will share her passion for advocating for survivor-driven policy reform, while Katie will provide essential components when engaging with human trafficking victims in trauma treatment. They will speak about the importance of providing trauma-informed care in mental health and healthcare settings and an emphasis on the psychological impact of trauma bonding with their traffickers. In a call to action, Katie and Marjorie hope to inspire other survivors to become survivor leaders in their own community.

 

Presentation Objectives:

•  Describe each of their strengths as survivor leaders

•  Detail the force, fraud, and coercion tactics that kept each survivor stuck in their trafficking experience

•  Explain the importance of survivor engagement

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Metanoia Manor is a residential recovery program for adolescent survivors of human trafficking in the American Gulf South. Their instructor has implemented a trauma-informed, healing-centered educational model designed to promote academic success and emotional healing. Drawing on Vygotsky’s Zone of Proximal Development, the instructor differentiated instruction and used scaffolding to help students progress academically, regardless of past disruptions in their education. The classroom environment was structured and predictable to foster psychological safety. Movement and sensory regulation activities were integrated throughout the day to support focus and emotional regulation. The instructor prioritized relationship-building, recognizing that consistent, affirming connections with adults are critical for students recovering from trauma. Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) were co-developed with counselors to include both academic and emotional goals. Progress monitoring was a collaborative process that kept students engaged and motivated. The instructor also worked to educate youth advocates on recognizing trauma responses, helping them understand that certain behaviors are often rooted in survival rather than defiance. Beyond direct instruction, the instructor actively challenged misconceptions about the academic potential of trafficking survivors. She promoted a strengths-based mindset and maintained high expectations. Her efforts contributed to the program’s state certification, enabling students to pursue higher education and access financial aid. Within two years, three students earned GPAs above 3.5 and were accepted into college. This work illustrates that, with the right support and belief in their potential, adolescent survivors can achieve academic success. This session calls for increased funding, research, and systemic commitment to trauma-informed education.

 

Presentation Objectives:

·  Inform educators about best practices to serve youth trafficking victims and others with adverse experiences in classrooms

·  Inform youth advocates about the root causes of behavior in children recovering from trauma so they may identify and respond better to students that may be facing exploitation or survival responses

·  Inform the public about the misconceptions surrounding attainment in youth trafficking survivors and promote a growth mindset and elevated expectations

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This presentation will provide an overview of human trafficking, including the legal definitions and modifications of the law. The presenters will define and discuss sex trafficking, labor trafficking, and familial trafficking, with a focus on the most vulnerable populations (e.g., runaways, those with addictions, those with language barriers, etc.). They will also discuss the general profile of the trafficker and some ways in which

traffickers might approach victims. This will include a short video to help attendees recognize some signs of potential human trafficking. Information will be shared about updated human trafficking statistics and some common myths about trafficking. The presentation will include the growing social media component of human trafficking and how to make social media safer for children. The presenters will then provide attendees information on how they can take steps to prevent human trafficking (e.g., buying fair trade items, reporting suspicious activities, utilizing privacy tools on social media, etc.). Finally, the presenters will stress the importance of awareness and vigilance inside of communities and the importance of reporting suspicious activities. Information about agencies and resources will also be shared, giving attendees greater access to further education and information.

 

Presentation Objectives:

•  Provide a clear definition of human trafficking

•  Describe how to recognize human trafficking

•  Provide reliable resources for human trafficking information

•  Empower the audience to take action to help prevent human trafficking

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This presentation focuses on a much under-studied aspect of sex trafficking: the survival strategies and resources used during trafficking. Data comprised 75 interviews with 44 survivors who were asked to define ‘resilience’ during trafficking, and to share their experiences of resilience during trafficking. Dr. Knight worked with a community co-researcher to conduct a thematic analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2006) of these definitions and stories, present the themes to participants in subsequent interviews, and integrate their input into the results. Participants mainly defined ‘resilience’ during trafficking as ‘survival’, i.e., not giving up or committing suicide, and doing whatever it takes to continue surviving. The themes organized the processes and resources for survival into five clusters: (1) Surviving and hoping: Just surviving, inner voice of hope, refusing to die, deciding to survive, dreams or goals, curiosity, good memories; (2) Managing trauma: Dissociation, drugs and/or alcohol, self-harm; (3) Spiritual experiences: Encounters with God/spiritual beings, faith/spirituality; (4) Resistance: Staying kind, refusing to believe traffickers’ messages, negotiating with traffickers/clients, creating small moments of safety/rest, attempting/planning escape, obtaining services, and (5) Having people who matter: family members, traffickers, friends. The results highlight survivors’ strengths and wisdom and provide direction for service provision to survivors still being trafficked. For instance, outreach efforts could include talking with survivors about dreams and goals, acknowledging and honoring their ability to survive, and providing them with resources to help other individuals being trafficked. The presentation concludes with survivors’ recommendations for integrating this knowledge into trafficking discourse, practice, and for further research.

 

Presentation Objectives:

•  Provide an overview of the study

•  Describe survivors’ survival strategies of surviving and hoping, managing trauma, spiritual experiences, resistance, and having people who matter

•  Discuss implications and recommendations for integrating this knowledge into practice

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The “Nordic Model” criminalizes sex buyers while treating individuals in prostitution as exploitation victims. It combines awareness campaigns with increased services for individuals in prostitution. Critics argue it hurts sex workers and increases vulnerability by pushing activities underground. In 2020, Israel became the 9th country to implement this model by passing a law prohibiting the consumption of prostitution. Offenders face a $550 fine or can attend a socio-educational program. A government program provides expanded services for those wishing to exit prostitution and public campaigns. This research sought to answer, “How were the law and the program implemented and what was their effect on consumers and on individuals in prostitution?” Methodology included repeated online surveys of Israeli men about prostitution consumption, analysis of Google Trends for prostitution-related terms, and review of police data on enforcement and fines. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with individuals in prostitution, clients, police officers, and social workers to provide additional qualitative insights. Enforcement was carried out in only three police stations. It fluctuated but declined significantly and was minimal by 2023. Police challenges included resource limitations, difficulties establishing evidence, and difficulty in accessing discreet locations. Data revealed mixed results: surveys indicated increased consumption, while internet data suggested decreased demand with fluctuations correlating negatively with enforcement intensity during specific periods. Although some individuals in prostitution reported a temporary drop in income, most support the law. The presenter concludes that legislation alone proves insufficient to reduce prostitution or change norms; effective implementation requires consistent enforcement and education.

 

Presentation Objectives:

•  Provide background information on the context and significance of the research study

•  Provide an overview of the study, main questions, methodology, and findings

•  Describe the insights and recommendations based on the study

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In 2024, the scope of exploitation following human trafficking has expanded in the European Union, yet ambiguity persists around when working conditions constitute criminal exploitation or fall under labour law enforcement. This distinction is critical in countries where coercion is not required for a human trafficking charge, making “exploitation” the key threshold. This study asks: What criteria do judges use to determine whether exploitation qualifies as human trafficking? Existing literature highlights challenges in victim identification by law enforcement, who frequently adjust their approach based on the likelihood of securing a conviction. Yet, research on the judicial perspective remains limited, even less across jurisdictions with varying labor standards and sex work regulations. To fill this gap, the researchers analyzed case laws from Belgium, Luxembourg, France, and Spain, examining criminal court decisions related to human trafficking and related offences (e.g., pimping, forced labor). National databases such as legifrance.fr and CENDOJ serve as primary sources. Using semiotic analysis, they assessed how judges articulate exploitation and compare these criteria with internationally recognized trafficking indicators. Preliminary findings reveal: (1) judicial focus remains on sexual and labor exploitation, with little precedent on other forms (e.g., organ removal, forced marriage); (2) divergent legal thresholds emerge—France often requires extreme coercion, while Belgium considers deviations from labor standards; and (3) international trafficking guidance emphasizes the process over the substance of exploitation, granting national judges broader interpretive discretion. Ultimately, it reflects how the law symbolically delineates acceptable working conditions and informs broader societal norms.

 

Presentation Objectives:

•  Present on 4 national definitions of human trafficking and exploitation offences

•  Provide an analysis of criteria used by judges in 4 EU countries to qualify exploitation

•  Provide a preliminary comparison between these criteria and international human trafficking indicators

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The need for this project on Migrant Domestic Workers (MDWs) originating from minority source countries, arose due to the distinct challenges and barriers that this particular community faces. They are under-researched and often overlooked, and as such, specific needs and gaps are not taken into consideration. This hampers efforts to promote evidence-led recommendations based on the specific challenges faced by the community such as accessing and processing recruitment opportunities, undertaking their employment, and attempting to access support and redress should they experience exploitation. This research was undertaken using mixed methods, a quantitative survey with 36 MDWs from minority source countries, and qualitative semi-structured interviews for the stakeholder NGOS, churches, and unions that support MDWs. This led to a series of workshops and resource packs for MDWs based on specific needs within the community. This presentation will provide a macro view of the lived experiences of MDWs in Hong Kong in general, before focusing in on the particular difficulties faced by those stemming from minority source countries. Recommendations for future actions, particularly in light of the limited anti-trafficking legislation in Hong Kong will also be discussed.

 

 

Presentation Objectives:

·  Provide an overview of MDWs in Hong Kong

·  Discuss specific additional difficulties faced by MDWs from Minority Source Countries, as evidenced in new STOP research

·  Present resources generated through this project

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Survivors of sex trafficking typically experience severe trauma that requires specialized mental health care. The lack of specialized training for mental health professionals working with trafficking survivors creates a critical gap in service provision, as most clinicians lack the comprehensive skill set needed to address the complex trauma experiences specific to this population. This deficiency extends across all mental health disciplines, highlighting the urgent need for standardized competency frameworks that ensure professionals from social work, counseling, psychology, and psychiatry develop technical expertise and appropriate confidence and cultural humility when working with survivors. Additionally, the isolated nature of these professions often impedes adequate service provisions, with limited cross-disciplinary communication preventing the holistic, integrated approach that trafficking survivors require. In this session, the presenters will discuss what foundational knowledge and practice skills are needed to work with this population that prioritizes the holistic well-being of survivors and trauma-informed care specific to human trafficking. They will explore establishing mentorship, collaboration, and peer support networks for clinicians working with trafficking survivors to reduce isolation, practice humility and resilience, and promote knowledge sharing. Finally, they will discuss the future of their study with the goal of creating a database of mental providers that are survivor-centered and have obtained foundational or advanced training in this area of practice.

 

Presentation Objectives:

•  Analyze current level of knowledge and training of mental health providers working with survivors of human trafficking

•  Generate ways to enhance training confidence and collaboration across mental health professions

•  Propose creation of a database for survivors to seek care from trained, knowledgeable providers with a trauma-informed lens

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Victims of human trafficking and Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC) often experience complex trauma that can impact how they respond to services and interventions. Without a trauma-informed approach, professionals may unintentionally cause further harm or miss opportunities to build trust and support healing. This session will address the importance of trauma-informed, person-centered care in supporting these vulnerable populations and improving both survivor and case outcomes. Participants will gain an understanding of trauma’s impact on the brain, behavior, and relationships, and why traditional approaches may fall short. The session introduces practical strategies that can be applied immediately in the field that avoid re-traumatization. The training also emphasizes the importance of cultural humility, nonjudgmental language, and the power of small shifts in tone and approach. By enhancing self-awareness and prioritizing empathy, professionals can strengthen rapport, reduce burnout, and support long-term survivor stability. This session equips attendees with tools that are actionable, adaptable across disciplines, and proven to build safer, more effective interactions with trafficking survivors.

 

Presentation Objectives:

•  Discuss the principles of trauma-informed, person-centered care and their importance in supporting victims of human trafficking and CSEC

•  Present strategies to minimize re-traumatization and adapt practical tools for effective engagement with survivors

•  Enhance attendees’ self-awareness and sensitivity to provide compassionate care that empowers survivors and improves outcomes for both survivors and cases

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