DFW Regional Model for Child Sex Trafficking Survivor Care: MHC of Tarrant County Engagement Alan Schonborn Child Sex Trafficking Team Texas Governor’s Office May 2017

The University of Texas estimates that 79,000 children and youth are victims of sex trafficking in Texas currently.

Are you already serving them here? Certain vulnerabilities are more prevalent among CST victims “Predators seem to sense when a child is vulnerable.” CST survivor physical or sexual abuse conflict at home or school Drug or alcohol use homeless, throwaway or runaway foster care or juvenile justice

Physical Abuse “(My pimp) had his girls out on the streets every night. It was either you made the (money) for him or you got beat.” CST Survivor Most common forms Gunshot Strangulation Burned Kicked Punched Stabbed Raped Penetrated – foreign object 92% suffer from at least one type Average suffer from 6 types More than half of the victims experienced at least 8 types, including strangulation Lederer and Wetzel, Annals of Health Law, vol 23, 2014

Substance Abuse “They never asked me why I was on drugs. If they had, I would have told them he fed them to me.” CST survivor 84% used alcohol or drugs 28% forced to use by trafficker 26% overdosed Lederer and Wetzel, Annals of Health Law, vol 23, 2014

Sexual Abuse and Women’s Health “In most of (my six abortions), I was under serious pressure from my pimps to abort the babies.” CST survivor Average 13 buyers / day Median of 10 and some reported 30 - 50 71% ≥ 1 pregnancy 21% ≥ 5 pregnancies 55% ≥ 1 miscarriage 30% multiple miscarriages 50% ≥ 1 abortion 30% multiple Lederer and Wetzel, Annals of Health Law, vol 23, 2014

Trafficking Victims – Public Perception “The hardest thing is that you are in plain sight. We are not going to walk up and say ‘please help me.” CST survivor

Trafficking Victims - Reality “We aren’t crying. We are angry – stealing cars, selling drugs, fighting and just trying to survive.” CST survivor

What Trafficking Does to Children. The abuse and trauma is severe. The road back to well being is long.

On Automatic “After he’s gone, the invisible chains remain.” CST Survivor Often, survivors frustrate caregivers when they don’t escape “the life” even if they escape their trafficker. Won’t take advantage of escape opportunities. Trafficker’s control is so complete that s/he traffics herself (“on automatic”) Start selling sex on his/her own. Triggering events, criminal record, safety concerns , inability to trust limit mainstream options to make a living.

Perception of Survivors in Treatment Thankful to have been rescued. Immediately feels safe and accepting of nurture and support.

Reality of Survivors in Treatment Complex trauma. Fight or flight or freeze

Child CSTT Vision and Mission Our vision is a state where children are free from sexual exploitation. Our mission is to prevent victimization, help identify and recover survivors, provide them the services to help them heal and thrive, and bring them justice. Protect Bring Justice Child Restore Recognize Recover

CSTT Approach Child-centered, collaborative and continuously improving Child-centered: Children purchased for sex are victims* and survivors* and are treated with dignity and informed of their rights and range of options. Collaborative: Collective efforts create greater impact. Continuously improving: Solid strategy relies upon continuous improvement. *CSTT uses both “victim” and “survivor” to refer to individuals who were trafficked.

Questions? Contact Andrea Sparks, Director Andrea.Sparks@gov.texas.gov Alan Schonborn, Associate Director for Strategic Development Alan.Schonborn@gov.texas.gov Todd Latiolais, Associate Director of Prevention and Policy Todd.Latiolais@gov.texas.gov