INTERVENTION Identifying and Responding to Domestic Sex Trafficking

Impact of Sex Trafficking Trauma Constant state of fear and threat Constant state of fear and threat Quantifying trauma: Quantifying trauma: 5 rapes x 5 days a week for 1 year Conservative figures provide an estimate of over 1,000 incidents of sexual assault/rape per year Conservative figures provide an estimate of over 1,000 incidents of sexual assault/rape per year This is in addition to the beatings and torture by the buyers/rapists This is in addition to the beatings and torture by the buyers/rapists This is in addition to beatings and sexual abuse by the trafficker/pimp This is in addition to beatings and sexual abuse by the trafficker/pimp

Impact of Sex Trafficking: Broken Trust Community Helpers BUYERS BOYFRIEND FAMILY

Grateful for small acts of kindness from abuser Grateful for small acts of kindness from abuser Denies and rationalizes violence Denies and rationalizes violence Denies anger at exploiter Denies anger at exploiter Believe they have some control over abuse Believe they have some control over abuse Self-blame Self-blame Ongoing symptoms of trauma or PTSD Ongoing symptoms of trauma or PTSD Major indicators of trauma bonding

Challenges to Identification and Response Victims are in love with their abusers Victims are in love with their abusers Hes not a pimp, hes my boyfriend Hes not a pimp, hes my boyfriend Not self-identifying as a victim Not self-identifying as a victim Glamorizing the life and their role within the exploitation Glamorizing the life and their role within the exploitation Not wanting help Not wanting help Returning to abuser/returning to the life Returning to abuser/returning to the life

Challenges to Identification Being Judgmental Being Judgmental Believing the myths and misconceptions about prostitution and sex trafficking (not promiscuous) Believing the myths and misconceptions about prostitution and sex trafficking (not promiscuous) Not understanding trauma bonds Not understanding trauma bonds Not understanding trauma response (baby powder) Not understanding trauma response (baby powder) Inflexible systems that lack the ability to listen and respond to individualized plans and needs Inflexible systems that lack the ability to listen and respond to individualized plans and needs

Survivor Needs TANGIBLE Shelter Shelter Money Money Food/personal items Food/personal items Clothes Clothes Vital records Vital records Medical Medical INTANGIBLE Connection Connection Love Love Belonging Belonging Support Support Empowerment Empowerment Trust Trust Comfort Comfort Hope Hope

Victim Risk/Safety Assessment GEOGRAPHIC RISK: - Where is the survivor from? - Where was she recruited? - What type of trafficking? (online/street/strip club/gang) - How long has she/he been in the life? Former pimps? - Run history/Home environment?

Victim Risk/Safety Assessment PHYSICAL RISK: - Was the trafficker arrested? - Are some of the girls seeking assistance the bottom girls? - Need to change phone number? Replace phone? - Need to take down Backpage ads? - Online presence? Facebook/MySpace connected to sex trafficking activity?

Victim Risk/Safety Assessment EMOTIONAL/PSYCHOLOGICAL: - Does she have feelings for the trafficker? {Flight Risk} - How long was she in the trafficking situation? {Stages of Change} - Does she feel guilty or responsible for the traffickers arrest? - Are there other girls in the game that were not arrested?

Intake Tools/Risk Assessment Staff training on indicators and dynamics is paramount to a static set of questions. Staff training on indicators and dynamics is paramount to a static set of questions. Intensity of questions should depend on when the questions are asked and by which staff. Intensity of questions should depend on when the questions are asked and by which staff. Questions should be strength-based and trauma-informed. Questions should be strength-based and trauma-informed. Access to appropriate resources must follow identification Access to appropriate resources must follow identification

Trauma Resiliency Model – Sympathetic Nervous System Start from a place of strength and survival Tell my what kept you from running away? The streets are tough can you tell me about how your survived while on the run? Tell me about when you knew you survived?

Pimp Control: Building Family and Belonging Language as an Indicator: The Life/The Game Daddy/The familyTrack QuotaOut of pocket Choosing upRenegade Bottom girlTurn out

Additional Resources Maryland Human Trafficking Task Force Melissa Snow, Chair, Victim Services Subcommittee National Human Trafficking Resource Center