Climate change and climate action can both have destabilizing effects on individuals and communities, and research suggests that one of these effects may be increased vulnerability to human trafficking. However, because most research contributions have focused on a single pathway, the range and complexity of intersections between climate change and human trafficking have yet to be aggregated and analyzed as a whole. In this research, the presenters contribute to this emerging body of knowledge by compiling and comprehensively discussing the multiple, complex, and mutually reinforcing pathways through which climate change has been found to exacerbate vulnerability to human trafficking in the extant literature. Based on the literature, they developed a causal loop diagram to illustrate the existing empirical findings on the individual, household, community, and structural factors that interplay and determine vulnerability to human trafficking in the context of climate change. They conducted a thematic analysis of relevant studies to illuminate how climate change can act as a factor that introduces risk and exacerbates vulnerability to human trafficking. Findings show that the extant literature has linked climate change to various forms of human trafficking (i.e., child marriage, forced marriage, debt bondage, sex trafficking, labor exploitation, and child labor) through three main pathways: poverty, food insecurity, and migration. The presenters will identify theoretical, methodological, and geographic gaps in the literature and explore points where interventions may enhance resilience to human trafficking in climate change-affected contexts.

 

Presentation Objectives:

•  Provide an overview of the scoping review, including main questions, methodology, and findings

•  Identify gaps in the literature on the relationship between climate change and human trafficking

•  Discuss potential points where interventions may increase resilience in climate change-affected contexts

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According to the Prohibition of Prostitution Consumption Law, approved by the Israeli parliament in late 2018, any person who consumes prostitution commits an offense subject to a fine. The objective of this research study was to examine trends in the demand for prostitution in Israel following the law’s enactment, using data on Google searches using prostitution-related terms. Google Trends provides data on the relative volume of Google searches. This platform was chosen due to the difficulty of obtaining direct information on prostitution consumption and the widespread use of the internet for advertising prostitution. Search trends were analyzed for the Hebrew equivalents of the terms “prostitutes,” “escorts,” and “discreet apartments,” terms selected following consultations with experts, women in prostitution, and consumers of prostitution. Data was gathered for each month from January 2013 to April 2024. The study compared search volumes during key periods before and after the law's enactment and examined correlations between monthly search volumes and the number of fines imposed. Search volumes sharply declined following the law’s approval. Moreover, fluctuations in search volumes were linked to variations in the number of fines imposed. From mid-2022 onward, an upward trend in search volumes emerged concurrently with a decline in fines, although volumes remained below pre-law levels. These results suggest that the law reduced the demand for prostitution, despite evidence that its effect may be diminishing over time. To conclude, this study suggests that banning prostitution consumption may be effective in reducing demand, but only if it is followed by extensive enforcement.

 

Presentation Objectives:

•  Present background information on the context and significance of the study topic

•  Present background information on Google trends and its utilization in social science research

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

•  Discuss the conclusions of the study and avenues for future research

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In this presentation, Angela Navarro will share her personal journey of overcoming trauma through emotional intelligence and how it transformed her life. She will discuss the struggles she faced with emotional regulation, impulsive decision-making, and the challenges of breaking free from cycles of trauma. Learning emotional intelligence allowed her to develop self-awareness, manage emotions, and build healthier relationships. She will explain how these skills not only changed her life but also influenced how she empowers others through Sweet Sisterhood, a survivor-led nonprofit designed to help women and their families build resilience and self-sufficiency. Angela’s goal is to show how emotional intelligence is more than just a concept—it’s a powerful tool for survival, growth, and leadership. Attendees will gain practical insights on how emotional intelligence can be applied in their personal and professional lives and how it can be used to create long-term positive change for survivors. Through her story, Angela hopes to encourage professionals to integrate emotional intelligence into their work, helping survivors navigate their healing journey with confidence and strength.

 

Presentation Objectives:

•  Share her personal journey of overcoming trauma through emotional intelligence

•  Discuss key emotional intelligence skills in trauma recovery

•  Explain how emotional intelligence can help break cycles of trauma and foster leadership among survivors

•  Provide actionable steps for integrating emotional intelligence into survivor support programs

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Law enforcement, service providers, and medical responders experience sustained exposure to child maltreatment, sexual assaults, and human trafficking. The resulting effects can be devastating and include substance abuse, increased rates of suicide, marital distress, depression and anxiety, and decreased physical wellness. This presentation focuses on vicarious trauma and equips attendees with practical tools to assess and improve their well-being. Key topics include distinguishing vicarious trauma from secondary traumatic stress, compassion fatigue, burnout, moral injury, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Through personal anecdotes and interactive discussions, participants will explore the profound impact of high-stress work environments not only on professional performance but also on personal lives, relationships, and home dynamics. The session emphasizes resilience-building strategies for self-care, aiming to reduce professional burnout, decrease turnover, and enhance overall wellness. By addressing these challenges, attendees will be better equipped to strengthen their personal relationships, maintain work-life balance, and provide high-quality support to the victims and communities they serve.

 

Presentation Objectives:

•  Discuss the effects of high-stress environments on personal well-being, relationships, and workplace culture, differentiating vicarious trauma, compassion fatigue, and other occupational stress responses

•  Present practical tools and strategies to encourage resilience, improve self-care practices, and mitigate the impact of trauma exposure in both professional and personal lives

•  Discuss how to implement workplace cultural shifts that normalize discussions around vicarious trauma and compassion fatigue, reducing turnover while enhancing team collaboration, well-being, and the quality of victim services

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The purpose of this project was to evaluate the use of unique fields in a hospital-based electronic health record (EHR) system to document indicators of abuse, including human trafficking. These fields were developed to support clinicians with screenings and to quantify the number of trafficked individuals identified. A nonprofit health system launched a program to prepare its staff to identify and assist patients who may be experiencing trafficking. As part of these efforts, the health system implemented a new field in its EHR system to document indicators of human trafficking. This was in addition to other fields available to document indicators of abuse. A data analyst compiled all patient encounters from three of the health system’s hospitals in which a clinician documented at least one response in at least one of the fields described above from March 2019 to February 2020 (N=566). The health system’s human trafficking response program director, who is also a subject matter expert on the topic, then reviewed the data to establish a final data set (n=110). Using descriptive statistics and qualitative analyses, the final data set was evaluated for hospital locations, types of services, patient demographics, chief complaints, and indicators of abuse, including human trafficking. This presentation will report on the use and outcomes of these fields and the effectiveness of having separate fields to document indicators of different types of abuse, including trafficking.

 

Presentation Objectives:

•  Describe promising practices in the use of EHR systems to track human trafficking

•  Explain how to design EHR forms and fields to document concerns of abuse, including human trafficking

•  Discuss opportunities for further research in clinical informatics and trafficking response

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This presentation explores the alarming issue of human trafficking for organ harvesting from Sub-Saharan Africa to Europe and America, focusing on case studies from Nigeria, Ghana, and Senegal. It begins by defining human trafficking and organ harvesting, highlighting the rising global demand for illicit organ transplants. Sub-Saharan Africa has become a hotspot due to economic hardship, weak law enforcement, and organized crime networks. Next, it examines the methods traffickers use, including kidnapping, coercion, and deception, as well as the black-market organ trade. The case studies provide real-life examples: 1) Nigeria: Organized crime and human smuggling networks trafficking victims for organ trade, 2) Ghana: Child trafficking and the vulnerabilities of rural communities, and 3) Senegal: Links between migration routes and organ harvesting. The presentation then discusses key contributing factors, such as poverty, corruption, and lack of awareness, followed by the devastating consequences on victims’ health, psychological well-being, and economic stability. Efforts to combat organ trafficking include international laws, government interventions, and NGO initiatives. However, stronger law enforcement, awareness campaigns, and international cooperation are needed. In conclusion, the presentation emphasizes the urgency of collaborative efforts to dismantle trafficking networks and protect vulnerable populations. Governments, NGOs, and individuals must work together to stop this human rights crisis.

 

Presentation Objectives:

•  Examine the link between human trafficking and organ harvesting, focusing on how victims from Sub-Saharan Africa are exploited for the illegal organ trade

•  Analyze case studies from Nigeria, Ghana, and Senegal, highlighting real-life incidents, trafficking routes, and the role of organized crime networks

•  Identify the key factors facilitating organ trafficking, including economic hardship, weak law enforcement, and high global demand for organs

•  Explore efforts to combat organ trafficking, including international laws, government interventions, and recommendations for stronger policies and awareness campaigns

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Juanita Headley shares a deeply personal and thought-provoking journey into the world of human trafficking and child sexual abuse, intertwining her lived experiences with the harsh realities of exploitation. She begins by exploring the concept of "currency"—not in terms of money, but as vulnerabilities that traffickers exploit. Through the harrowing case of a young victim targeted by an online predator, Juanita highlights how traffickers identify and manipulate individual weaknesses to exert control. She then delves into the grooming process, explaining how perpetrators prepare their victims—whether through manipulation, coercion, or brute force. Drawing on real-life cases, she illustrates the calculated patience of traffickers and the psychological tactics they use to entrap their victims. In a raw and personal revelation, Juanita recounts her own experience of childhood sexual abuse and the long-term effects it had on her sense of self-worth and trust. She connects her story to the broader issue of victim grooming, showing how traffickers exploit past trauma to create a cycle of abuse. Juanita concludes with a powerful call to action—urging professionals to recognize the signs of grooming and trafficking, respond effectively to disclosures, and understand their own vulnerabilities. She provides practical recommendations on safeguarding strategies, trauma-informed responses, and how communities can work together to disrupt exploitation. Her presentation is a compelling educational tool that equips attendees with the knowledge needed for advocacy, intervention, and prevention in their professional fields.

 

Presentation Objectives:

•  Describe the concept of "currency" in human trafficking, illustrating how traffickers exploit individual vulnerabilities to manipulate and control victims

•  Discuss the grooming process, detailing the psychological and emotional tactics used by traffickers to prepare victims for exploitation

•  Explain the connection between childhood trauma and susceptibility to trafficking, using real-life cases and personal experiences to highlight key risk factors

•  Provide actionable strategies for professionals to recognize signs of trafficking, respond effectively to disclosures, and implement trauma-informed interventions

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This research explores the therapeutic value of writing autobiographies for survivors of childhood sexual abuse and other traumas. Online surveys were sent to twenty (20) survivors who had completed writing their books which were at the publication stage. Although many described being fearful at the beginning and during the process, they described different emotional challenges, but on completion they felt relieved, stronger, confident, healed, liberated, and proud as well as feeling overwhelmed, fearful, and anxious about the potential responses. 95% said they would recommend it to others. 79% of respondents indicated they wrote their stories to "impact and inspire others who have been through similar experiences," while 42% wrote to help process and receive healing. This suggests that books focused on personal healing journeys that also aim to help others would be most valued by this audience. 89% of respondents reported receiving "a great deal" of emotional and spiritual support from the program team, and 74% received similar support from peers. This highlights the importance of community-based writing programs for trauma survivors, suggesting that books created in supportive environments may be more powerful and effective. Most participants (63%) took 7-12 months to complete their books. This indicates that meaningful books addressing personal trauma typically require a significant time investment, and expectations should be set accordingly. Attendees will learn the value of writing autobiographies as a form of therapeutic care for those who have experienced exploitation as long as there is sufficient support to do so.

 

Presentation Objectives:

•  Explore the value of writing autobiographies preferably in the context of a supportive community

•  Discuss how writing autobiographies could be written in alternative therapeutic community environments

•  Explain the background on narrative therapy and therapeutic techniques associated with writing

•  Discuss the impact of the program on participants and their healing

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In the United States and internationally, state actors routinely fail to recognize and identify survivors of trafficking with fateful consequences: survivors are arrested, detained, criminalized, and even unceremoniously deported in violation of survivors’ rights to protection and remedy. This practice is widespread. The majority of survivors in the United States reporting negative encounters with law enforcement while being trafficked (including arrest and detention), and its consequences are dire. Criminalized survivors are retraumatized by the system and suffer a myriad of societal consequences of their criminal records, including barriers to employment, housing, voting, child custody, education, immigration, and travel. This presentation focuses on advocacy strategies for ending the criminalization of trafficking survivors. First, it presents the unlawful practice of criminalizing survivors, including the reasons for the persistence of this practice. Next, it examines the key legal instruments and norms violated by this practice. Third, it presents the human rights mechanisms that advocates may engage at an international, regional, national, and state level in pursuit of an end to wrongful criminalization. In this discussion, the presentation offers multifaceted strategies and methods for advocates to advance the recognition and identification of survivors—from the international to the local. It seeks to empower any advocate on how to use human rights and civil rights advocacy strategies to hold state actors to account and advance change in this critical area. The presentation is accessible for all advocates (lived experience experts included) but requires a baseline understanding of human trafficking, its nature, and dynamics.

 

Presentation Objectives:

•  Examine failures in identification and recognition of human trafficking survivors and consequences arising from such failures

•  Explore multifaceted human rights strategies to advance identification and recognition of criminalized and justice-involved trafficking survivors

•  Empower advocates to break down barriers to protection for survivors and end wrongful criminalization

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