Almost 20 years ago, the passing of the United Nations (UN) Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children helped push the issue of human trafficking to the forefront of legislation intended to protect and support victims (UN, 2000). Over 150 countries or states are associated with the Palermo Protocol and various groups have a variety of anti-trafficking initiatives that have followed this policy (UNODC, 2016). However, a major issue with many policies lies within the incorporated language being directed toward helping females and children specifically within sex trafficking, while excluding male victims. Human trafficking continues to be conceptualized as a women’s issue, even though many of the same vulnerabilities for trafficking have been identified for both men and women, including a history of abuse and substance use (Reid, 2012). The trafficking of males is often underrepresented and underreported due to the hidden visibility of forced servitude along with cultural beliefs regarding male superiority. For intervention and rehabilitation purposes, this discrepancy drastically affects the resources available for men. The failure to update policy to reflect greater gender inclusivity inhibits recovery of thousands of male victims that also need support. This presentation will review national and international anti-human trafficking policies to specifically examine gender biased language and discuss research findings regarding this bias. Preliminary analysis of over ten anti-human trafficking policies conducted through content analysis revealed that out of 1,154 instances of pronoun usage, 70% used ambiguous terminology (i.e., “victim”, “person”), 18.3% used “she”, 9% used “she/he” and 2.6% used “he”. Recommendations for policy makers and communities will also be provided regarding how to identify and address this lack of diversity within anti-human trafficking policy.

Presentation Objectives:

·  Examine patterns and trends related to gender biased language in anti-human trafficking policies.

·  Identify challenges associated with recognizing and assisting trafficking victims who are not female (i.e., male, transgender youth).

·  Discuss implications for more gender inclusive language in policy reformation.

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Domestic minor sex trafficking (DMST) victims face many barriers to getting appropriate trauma-informed treatment. DMST victims frequently have a history of early childhood trauma by trusted adults. Due to the complex trauma these victims experience, they become dissociated as a tool for survival. As a result of ongoing trauma, many DMST victims do not embody (intuitively display) protective skills. Helping professionals often misunderstand the presentation of trauma, misidentify dissociation as apathy or defiance, and place DMST victims into inadequate treatment. The Federal Advisory Committee of Juvenile Justice (2007) found that children who are sex trafficked are some of the most vulnerable youth; to hold these children accountable for sexual actions with adult perpetrators will only further exploit their vulnerabilities. Through experience as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker working with both adult and child victims of human trafficking at a non-profit agency in New Jersey and supported by research as a doctoral student, this presentation will share information about how DMST victims embody complex trauma and how the presentation of that trauma, or seeming lack thereof, causes them to be misidentified as criminals rather than victims. Trauma-informed care needs to be integrated from the first interaction with law enforcement, throughout the development of a treatment plan with providers, and for the duration of the therapeutic relationship. This presentation will illustrate how helping professionals can effectively advocate for DMST victims at the early stages of identification and also foster a safe, accepting therapeutic space to assist these clients in trust building and identify formation.

Presentation Objectives:

·  Inform social workers and other first responders how to distinguish dissociation and other consequences of trauma from defiance.

·  Discuss the rights of DMST victims.

·  Advocate for proper identification across systems (i.e. law enforcement, child protection, judicial system).

·  Provide options for treatment available.

·  Present new ideas for specialized trauma-informed intervention when working with this population.

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Therapeutic alliance, rapport, boundaries: terms professionals have all heard, but how are they put into practice? How can care providers foster relationships that have a positive and lasting impact on the treatment experience? This session will take a closer look at the importance of the relationship between treatment providers and clients. Everything from first-impressions through final sessions have a significant impact on treatment success, especially as setbacks arise. This session will examine how to build or repair therapeutic relationships that are often disrupted by disappointment, trauma, and shame. Time will be provided to discuss the practicalities of building rapport while maintaining boundaries and self-care. Additionally, there will be resources to gain perspective on how trauma impacts building a therapeutic alliance. Finally, there will be discussion regarding the importance of professional relationships and how these connections impact client care.

Presentation Objectives:

·  Develop understanding of positive relationships as Trauma Informed Care.

·  Describe the importance of the therapeutic relationship and ways to build and model healthy relationships.

·  Identify ways to develop a positive therapeutic relationship and ways to recover from challenges.

·  Describe personal boundaries and self-care in the therapeutic relationship.

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This presentation will discuss two main issues involving the internet/social media and sex trafficking: (1) recruitment of victims on the internet; and (2) selling victims on the internet. Traffickers are increasingly using Facebook and social media apps to reach out to victims and lure them into the sex trade. Maureen will discuss recent cases and evaluate potential legal and other means that can be utilized to counteract this growing trend. She has done extensive case research on civil and criminal cases involving Backpage and other internet service providers. Traffickers and pimps use Backpage and other internet sites to sell children and women for sex. The presentation will examine ways that traffickers and internet sites are working together to profit off the exploitation of sex-trafficking victims. Maureen will then discuss recent legal, technological, and educational approaches to curbing the tide of sex-trafficking online. This presenter will draw from the federal bills that were introduced and the legislation that was passed in this area, from the Senate Permanent Subcommittee’s Report on Backpage and on other reports drafted on this topic, and from some news accounts of recent activities regarding internet service providers such as Backpage.

Presentation Objectives:

·  Outline the growing problem of traffickers' using social media and the internet to recruit and advertise sex-trafficking victims.

·  Depict recent cases involving social media and the internet and explain the complexities involved.

·  Examine recent legislative approaches to addressing this issue and whether the laws will curb the tide of sex-trafficking.

·  Discuss potential solutions to the growing issue of internet sex-trafficking.

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In partnership with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD), the Arizona State University Office of Sex Trafficking Intervention Research (ASU STIR) developed a research plan to explore and analyze sex trafficking case files from 2013 to 2016. This study allowed for an inside look at the development of VICE cases and case actions. These files included police reports, records of interviews of alleged sex traffickers, interviews of

alleged sex trafficking victims, and case-related information including evidence collected and case update notes by LVMPD staff. The purpose of the study is to explore the efforts of law enforcement in identifying and investigating incidents of sex trafficking in Las Vegas, and to identify trends and patterns that might inform future research or practice. Findings include trends in the sex trafficking of minors and adults, including recruitment methods, transportation of victims, place of origin, elements of force, fraud and coercion, gang involvement, and criminal histories of the traffickers. Trafficker typology will also be discussed, as well as patterns in trafficker criminal histories and tactics. In addition, this information will help to establish a baseline of knowledge regarding the details of sex trafficking of minors and adults in Las Vegas, NV, with which to develop recommendation for future research, as well as policy implications and practice implications.

Presentation Objectives:

·  Discuss trends in sex trafficking of minors and adults in Las Vegas, NV.

·  Present findings on trends of trafficker tactics including recruitment, transportation, entrapment, gang involvement, and criminal histories.

·  Explore future research, policy implications, practice implications.

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The purpose of this study was to explore how individuals within the faith-based organization in a Midwest town could bring about awareness and education regarding human trafficking to individuals in the local community. The community that was studied is geographically located in the center of the United States, along major highways leaving the entire community at risk of human trafficking. The primary research participants are members of the local Midwest “Free Now” (pseudonym) group consisting of approximately 10 individuals who are college students, professionals and retirees. The organization’s mission is to end modern-day slavery. The majority of the participants were female, Caucasian, and all were connected to a faith-based community as the core commonality. Participatory Action Research (PAR) was the method used in this study. PAR offers community members and the researcher a collaborative relationship in which interviews and focus groups are conducted to address the concerns of human trafficking. An anticipated outcome of this study was to mobilize community members to engage and learn how to bring awareness and education about human trafficking by transforming how individuals respond to this social injustice. In addition, this research study was to inform individuals and help strengthen their voices. A recommended potential intervention was that the local group would collaborate with service providers to develop strategies to bring awareness and education on the issue of human trafficking.

Presentation Objectives:

·  Convey the basics of how PAR is conducted.

·  Highlight skills to utilize interview and focus group tools to collect data from one’s community.

·  Describe how to mobilize community members to determine how to address the issue of human trafficking in one’s community.

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According to the Prison Policy Initiative (2017), more than 200,000 women are behind bars in the U.S. Moreover, the number of women in state prisons nationwide has been growing more than twice as fast as that of men since 1978. Attendees will learn about two programs providing direct support of and advocacy for incarcerated women and how they complement each other in their different approaches. Chicago Books to Women in Prison (CBWP) distributes free books to women in state and Federal prisons nationwide, as well as in Chicago’s Cook County Jail. They provide a critical intervention by offering the self-empowerment, education and entertainment that reading provides to people with little or no access to books. The organization has integrated human trafficking education in its work. They stock recommended books on human trafficking, feature the books on their order form, and distribute helpful bookmarks. CBWP uses the trust it has earned from the women it serves to help fight human trafficking. Sex Workers Outreach Project (SWOP) Behind Bars provides extensive support to incarcerated men, women and trans folks: newsletters, books, pen pals, scholarships and reentry support. The organization advocates for sex workers, who rarely receive the comprehensive support that would enable them to leave the industry—if they choose. SWOP Behind Bars works to remove the stigma around sex work and thereby protect the human rights and dignity of women in it. By decriminalizing both the buying and selling of sex, efforts can better focus on those who truly need assistance. 

Presentation Objectives:

·  Explain how books-to-prisoners programs fill a critical need for incarcerated people.

·  Describe the role of books-to-prisoners programs in educating incarcerated people about human trafficking.

·  Discuss the importance of supporting and advocating for sex workers, including those who are incarcerated and in reentry.

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Caught Up features snippets from the narrative hip hop film TURNT to illustrate some of the tactics used by sex traffickers to recruit victims, highlighting the specific impact on one of the most vulnerable populations: foster care youth. The audience will follow the journey of a teen who is recruited, groomed and forced into sexual exploitation. Through video and engaging discussion, the presenters will reveal the dark truth about being caught up in The Life. Designed for audiences 9th grade and up, Caught Up also offers information on what sex trafficking is, risk factors for exploitation, who, how and where pimps recruit, and tips on how to avoid being Caught Up. The presenters will provide an overview of the Caught Up training and how they use media to teach at-risk youth the realities of being recruited into the life. The presenters will also discuss some of the ways traffickers recruit online and was to protect against that. This discussion is intended to give attendees an idea of the tools they use to support organizations that serve youth.

Presentation Objectives:

·  Define sex trafficking and describe risk factors of sex trafficking in youth.

·  Describe recruitment tactics and red flags of pimps and trafficking victims.

·  Identify ways to protect against exploitation

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This presentation will discuss the use of massage parlors and massage services to supply illicit commercial sex services. The presenter will discuss trends in victimization, advertising, terminology, locations, and clients. The presentation will also look at Utah laws regarding massage practice and how illicit massage practitioners avoid violating state laws and evade law enforcement when providing sexual services. The illicit massage parlor business has significant international trafficking ties which will be included in the discussion. The presenter will also provide examples of case studies from illicit massage parlor investigations from across the state of Utah. These will highlight the trends and tactics being used (terminology, locations, advertising) in Utah and lead to a discussion with attendees of what is happening around the nation.

Presentation Objectives:

·  Define the type of massage services offered.

·  Determine trends and tactics used in the illicit massage business.

·  Pinpoint possible indicators of victimization and clientele base.

·  Explain laws regarding the operation of massage businesses in the state of Utah and nationwide.

·  Illustrate examples of businesses, terminology in advertisements, and case studies.

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Making an organization successful and sustainable includes more than being passionate about something; there are business components that need to be developed and consistently embraced to help ensure success. Not‐for‐profits are not only about servicing the public in an area of need, it is about effectively and efficiently managing the development of the organization as a whole including people, processes, financials, technology, and sales and marketing. This 2-hour block presentation explores key business components and how to develop both success and sustainability in today’s highly competitive not‐for‐profit sector along with a live case study in the second hour. It addresses the question: Why should I as an executive, worker, client, volunteer, donor, board member, and stakeholder care about creating a successful and sustainable organization? Neil will cover key components, including fundamental questions (Why does the organization need to exist? What problem are you solving? Who needs to be involved? Where, when, and how is it developed? What are your measures of success? How often should your organization review responses to these questions?); fundamental planning, like a strategic plan and business plan (people, processes, financials, fundraising, technology, sales and marketing, branding, and supporters); business operations (budget, operational, clinical); and board recruitment and development (purpose of the board, determining your current and future business needs, and recruitment & selection). Attendees should strongly consider attending both hours of this session to get the most out of the workshop.

Presentation Objectives:

·  Depict the purpose of business structures that are essential to your success and sustainability.

·  Discuss what is required of business systems and what leaders need to focus on to ensure a successful and sustainable organization.

·  Provide insight of a roadmap/business plan that can be used to expand an existing organization.

·  Address insights and knowledge regarding actual requirements to create an integrated successful and sustainable organization.

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Research regarding intervention and prevention for human trafficking in the rural US is limited and often does not include qualitative or ethnographic data. However, research presented here is based on a collaborative, community-based project in Northwest Ohio. Conducted in partnership with Crime Victim Services, this presentation will cover several relevant topics. The presenters will first define and describe a community-based anthropological approach to studying human trafficking survivor services with detail on research design and methodologies (e.g. participant observation, observation, interviewing). They will also discuss unique needs of survivors in a rural community along with resource availabilities. The research findings include challenges faced by survivors, including other forms of violence within the service framework; identifying survivor’s needs regarding reintegration; and issues specifically faced by survivor advocates serving rural geographies. As survivors of human trafficking are identified and start working with local community agencies, it is crucial that survivors are receiving services by trauma-informed agencies. Survivors thrive in an environment that truly understands trauma and its effects on the brain. As research on trauma progresses and our knowledge expands, we need to put forth the same effort and vigor on research of human trafficking survivors within a rural community.

Presentation Objectives:

·  Pinpoint challenges faced by service providers in rural US geographies.

·  Communicate how violence can continue within the service framework.

·  Identify survivor needs in rural geographies.

·  Demonstrate how to design a collaborative, anthropological approach to applied research in human trafficking interventions.

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Opioids are an effective means by which human traffickers seize potential victims due to the secondary effects of impaired judgment, dulled physical pain and ultimately addiction. The addictions are often used to coerce victims to exchange sex for addictive opioids and other substances of abuse in a vicious cycle that often ties them to their human trafficker indefinitely. In a recent survey of survivors of human trafficking, 84% used drugs during their exploitation. Alcohol, marijuana, and cocaine were used by more than 50% of respondents and nearly 22% used heroin (Raphael & Feifer, 2017). Victims of human trafficking are also at increased risk for overdose. For those working in clinical or mental health service settings, opioid addition is an important risk factor for human trafficking. This risk factor is examined as part of the services offered to clients who utilize Northwest Ohio Syringe Services (NOSS), the first syringe exchange program in Northwest Ohio. This session will provide information on the linkage between human trafficking and opiate use and ways to help assess the risk of human trafficking by those currently using opioids.

Presentation Objectives:

·  Explain the relationship between opioid use and human trafficking.

·  Identify ways to assess the risk of human trafficking in individuals using opioids.

·  Describe potential resources for those using opioids or suspected victims of human trafficking.

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Viewed as an urban problem, the bulk of sex trafficking research is focused on large cities and metropolitan areas (Donnermeyer, 2016). However, rural based trafficking plays a significant role in the global trade of humans. India is particularly notorious for the trafficking of women and girls into the commercial sex industry (CSI). Spread across four Indian states, the low caste Bedia rely almost entirely on income generated via the sex trafficking of girls and continued prostitution of adult women. Unique to the Bedia is that prostitution is practiced out of homes, throughout the day, and in rural villages. Unique too is that females’ life-trajectories are determined by parents or parental caregivers (e.g., aunts, grandparents). CSI-involved Bedia girls and women bear the financial burden of entire familial systems. Caste-based discrimination largely precludes Bedia from other forms of employment (Jha, 2016).  Scientific literature on the Bedia, or similar tribes where prostitution is caste-determined, is exceptionally limited. Thus, with the exception of a few studies only, virtually nothing (empirically) is known about the Bedia.   

This investigation was intended, first, to examine cultural traditions associated with sex work among Bedia women. The second goal was to identify familial processes involved in the intergenerational commercial sexual exploitation of Bedia girls. Finally, we sought to explore participants’ familial financial obligations. The Principal Investigator conducted personal, in-depth (and audio-recorded) interviews with 31 CSI involved Bedia, spread across 7 villages. Results will discuss implications for practice, policy, and continued research.

Presentation Objectives:

·  Examine cultural traditions association with sexual exploitation among the Bedia.

·  Determine familial processes involved in the commercial sexual exploitation of Bedia girls.

·  Describe the family financial obligations and burdens assumed by CSI-involved Bedia.

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A thriver will share her journey from being a victim to becoming a thriver. This journey has had barriers, successes, and support. Through sharing her story, there is hope and guidance on how support and skill building can guide success. The journey began in childhood, including trauma, foster care, and a life that lead into human trafficking. She will share the struggles, and holds that the lifestyle had on her through the years that include but are not limited to the criminal justice system, substance abuse, and control. She will share her continuous journey leading into treatment, skill building, and beginning of a positive support system, thus starting the survivor role. As a survivor, the journey continued with barriers, ups and downs, and truly facing life’s challenges from the past, present, and future. Through the years or treatment and building skills, she has transitioned into the thriver role. Being a thriver, she hopes to share her personal growth with success and failures for others to help guide treatment, build connections, and develop the ability to experience personal growth of future victims and survivors.

Presentation Objectives:

·  Describe the needs of individuals in human trafficking along the continuum of victim, survivor, and thriver.

·  Present a holistic view on thrivers and how you can play a role in recovery.

·  Share the need for empathy through a thriver’s story through the journey of treatment and life.

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The United States is recognized as having the largest incarcerated population of any other nation in the world. While many of those in the correctional system suffer from a variety of medical and physical disorders and illnesses, a large number of individuals suffer from mental health disorders. Some enter the system with pre-existing behavioral disorders while some develop various mental health problems during their incarceration. With Los Angeles County Jail commonly recognized as the largest mental health institution in the US and the job of interacting with mentally ill inmates falling to law enforcement, the courts, and correctional facilitates and their personnel, it is important that we recognize the good, the bad and the ugly of mental health treatment for those behind bars and the system limitations placed on practitioners who work with this population.

Presentation Objectives:

·  Describe the extent and nature of commonly found mental health issues in prison.

·  Outline what correctional mental health treatment can and cannot accomplish.

·  Discuss common problems, limitations and pitfalls for mental health practitioners working with this population.

·  Provide an overview of specific vulnerable populations, including incarcerated HT victims.

·  Convey the importance of supporting inmate mental health beyond the clinicians’ walls.

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Drawing on years of experience representing survivors of sex and labor trafficking, this presentation will address collaboration among law enforcement, prosecutors, immigration attorneys, government agencies, and non- governmental organizations in identifying, rescuing, and providing services to survivors of sex and labor trafficking; immigration options available to undocumented survivors, including non-immigrant visas, derivative visas, permanent residence, and citizenship; and the importance of a trauma-informed and culturally-sensitive approach.

Presentation Objectives:

·  Discuss the importance of collaboration among law enforcement, prosecutors, immigration attorneys, and government and non-government agencies.

·  Describe special challenges and unique options for undocumented immigrant survivors of sex trafficking and labor trafficking.

·  Explain what it means to employ a trauma-informed and culturally-sensitive approach.

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Modern Day Slavery is destroying our planet. Where slavery exists, so does massive, unchecked environmental destruction. Slavery destroys families, individuals, as well as communities and new forms of slavery that proliferate in lawless regions are a massive threat to the Earth. Some of the common products we consume aid in creating human rights violations and lead to ethnic cleansing, massive refugee movements and other grievous harm to those marginalized and oppressed people. The entrapment of those who are marginalized and vulnerable across the globe leads to their forced labor through violence to destroy their own land and water to enable unscrupulous governments and organizations to reap the profits on items that we consume on a daily basis.  The cause-and effect relationship that exists between environmental collapse and Modern-Day Slavery can no longer be ignored. This evidenced-based presentation will help attendees understand these connections and realize that the everyday choices we make have implications that reverberate around the globe.

Presentation Objectives:

·  Explore how forced labor effects the environment.

·  Identify how daily purchases influence trafficking worldwide.

·  Examine practical methods to decrease purchases harming the Earth.

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Theatre for young audiences, while entertaining, more significantly provoke youth to think. Playwrights, through careful crafting of characters in conflict, bring attention to injustices not just for youth but for their parents as well. Theatre for youth reminds parents and educators to be mindful stewards of their children. This session describes the evolution of a one-act play for young audiences that raises awareness of human sex trafficking of minors. Lily's Shadow, co-written by professional playwright Roxanne Schroeder-Arce and members of the Bowling Green High School Drama Club, illustrates signs of abuse in victims, strategies traffickers use to coerce young victims into the system, and tactics for escaping perilous situations. The first part of the session provides a brief background of the play's evolution and addresses how the playwrights explored ways to develop theme, heighten artistic expression, and integrate age-appropriate content into the production. The second part of the session will demonstrate the production by featuring 3 scenes from the play performed by members of the BGHS Drama Club.  In the third part of the session, presenters will discuss specific strategies for using theatre to tackle sex trafficking of minors and invite questions to generate dialogue about theatre's effectiveness to impact young people's thinking on the issue.

Presentation Objectives:

·  Illuminate how theatre (specifically Lily's Shadow) is an engaging art form and helps kids recognize danger signs of human sex trafficking.

·  Highlight the heightened impact of learning when high school actors inform younger kid.

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Making an organization successful and sustainable includes more than being passionate about something; there are business components that need to be developed and consistently embraced to help ensure success. Not‐for‐profits are not only about servicing the public in an area of need, it is about effectively and efficiently managing the development of the organization as a whole including people, processes, financials, technology, and sales and marketing. This 2-hour block presentation explores key business components and how to develop both success and sustainability in today’s highly competitive not‐for‐profit sector along with a live case study in the second hour. It addresses the question: Why should I as an executive, worker, client, volunteer, donor, board member, and stakeholder care about creating a successful and sustainable organization? Neil will cover key components, including fundamental questions (Why does the organization need to exist? What problem are you solving? Who needs to be involved? Where, when, and how is it developed? What are your measures of success? How often should your organization review responses to these questions?); fundamental planning, like a strategic plan and business plan (people, processes, financials, fundraising, technology, sales and marketing, branding, and supporters); business operations (budget, operational, clinical); and board recruitment and development (purpose of the board, determining your current and future business needs, and recruitment & selection). Attendees should strongly consider attending both hours of this session to get the most out of the workshop.

Presentation Objectives:

·  Depict the purpose of business structures that are essential to your success and sustainability.

·  Discuss what is required of business systems and what leaders need to focus on to ensure a successful and sustainable organization.

·  Provide insight of a roadmap/business plan that can be used to expand an existing organization.

·  Address insights and knowledge regarding actual requirements to create an integrated successful and sustainable organization.

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The presentation will describe the Korean commercial sex market in the U.S. beyond Asian massage parlors. Prior to this study, the U.S. anti-trafficking efforts have heavily focused on combating massage parlors to fight prostitution and sex trafficking of Korean women in the U.S. The presentation will introduce the shift of trends taking place within the Korean sex market as a result of changing culture and policies. It then introduces various brothel models exploiting Korean women in the U.S. It also brings a more holistic view of the Korean sex market in the U.S. by relying on primary and secondary sources available in both Korean and English languages. The sources include in-person interviews with both federal and local law enforcement officers, Korean journalist based in the U.S., Korean and American news articles, Korean non-governmental organization (NGO) reports that included interviews with victims, and the U.S. federal cases involving Korean prostitution and sex trafficking. Lastly, this presentation examines the current challenges for the U.S. anti-trafficking efforts because of their insufficient understanding of the U.S. Korean sex market.

Presentation Objectives:

·  Outline changing trends of sex trafficking of Korean women in the U.S.

·  Consider shortcomings of the Korean anti-trafficking legislations in the U.S. to assist Korean victims' needs.

·  Suggest new policy recommendations to fight Korean sex trafficking in the U.S., including massage parlors.

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