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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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