Posts tagged 23:11:20
Educator Sex Trafficking Awareness & Racial Disparities

Sex trafficking policies in the educational sector help to ensure that at-risk students have a higher chance of identification. In 2016, the Department of Education in the state of Pennsylvania added sex trafficking as a form of child abuse and neglect (S.B. 1311, 2016). Still, mandated reporter bias can shape interaction and perceptions toward youth of color (Jacoby-Senghor, Sinclair, & Shelton, 2016). One important consideration is the impact racial biases may play in warning sign identification of sex trafficking (George, 2015). This pilot pre-test post-test examines how sex trafficking professional development training in the state of Pennsylvania influence educators’ sex trafficking perceptions and the extent to which racial disparities exist when it comes to how likely educators are to report on behalf of children at risk of commercial sexual exploitation. Primary research questions include: 1) Do professional development trainings influence educators’ sex trafficking attitudes? and 2) Does the race of a sex-trafficked child influence educators’ likelihood to report? In total, researchers were able to recruit 149 people to participate in the study. The majority of the participants involved in the study were female. Despite this original sample size, many participants started but did not continue to answer any of the questions. Still, findings revealed 1) likelihood to report; 1a) report based on race; 2) attitudes of agency; and 3) empathy levels toward sex trafficked child. This presentation will reveal the pilot pre-test findings, provide a self-reflective activity which was administered in the intervention, and then go over post-test results and future research direction.

Presentation Objectives:

· Discuss the relevance of the study including location, policy related to location, and sample

· Review the research questions and methodology

· Provide insight into the intervention

· Discuss the results of the study, limitations, and future direction

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Spirituality and Resilience: Lessons Learned from the Chab Dai Longitudinal Research Project

The Chab Dai Butterfly Longitudinal research project (www.chabdai.org/butterfly) is a ten-year project (2010-2020) following 128 survivors of sex trafficking from 14 different faith-based organizations in Cambodia. It explored a range of topics including the impact of spirituality. The main research question was: “How has spirituality helped build resilience for survivors?” Ethical interviews were conducted twice a year with survivors in the shelters and then in their home area. Respondents didn’t express coercion in conducting research or faith activities. The results found benefits to restoration and in their relationships with others. Spirituality, both Christian and Buddhist, had positive implications for survivors. The presenter will conclude with discussing recommendations that holistic care must include spirituality and monitoring spiritual outputs should be part of good programming. Preventing unhelpful persuasion is part of avoiding spiritual abuse in child and vulnerable persons protection policies.

Presentation Objectives:

· Describe the value of this longitudinal research study

· Discuss the importance of spirituality as part of holistic care

· Discuss the importance of a holistic child/vulnerable persons protection policy

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