Sex Trafficking Trends and Treatment. Dr. Dan Lustig Psy.D CAADC MISA II Vice-President of Clinical Services Haymarket Center

Transcription

1 Sex Trafficking Trends and Treatment Dr. Dan Lustig Psy.D CAADC MISA II Vice-President of Clinical Services Haymarket Center

2 The Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 Characterizes sex trafficking as the Recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of a person for the purposes of a commercial sex act, in which the commercial sex act is induced by force, fraud, or coercion, or in which the person induced to perform such an act has not attained 18 years of age. (Clawson, 2009) Every year 14,500-17,500 victims are trafficked into the United States. Majority of these victims are females, are 25 years old or younger. The average age for female sex trafficking is between years if age. (USDOJ, 2011)

3 Characteristics Many assume these victims live or came from outside the borders of the United States; however, that is not the case at all. 83% of the victims are documented as US citizens; 26% if these are Caucasian and 40% are African American. Sex trafficking has now become the second most prolific crime in American (Woodward, 2012). Sex trafficking effects all socioeconomic levels(usdoj,2014).

4 Assessing for Major Risk Factors Age, poverty, a corrupt and violent environment, a history of childhood sexual abuse, unemployment or dissatisfaction with a job, a dysfunctional family home, and mental health problems such as identity issues and learning disabilities. Age is one of the risk factors that can make individuals more vulnerable. The younger the individuals are, the more impressionable, and naïve. Having a history of childhood sexual abuse is the most strongly determinant risk factor when it comes to predicting whether individuals will become sex trafficking victims. Most victims also come from low socioeconomic status. Gender inequality is more prevalent in the more ethically and culturally diverse regions- specifically, California, New York, Texas and Florida.

5 Assessing for Major Risk Factors cont 70-80% if the girls locked up for prostitution has been sexually molested or abused (Clawson, 2011). To avoid confusion or misunderstanding, there is a distinction between prostitution and sex trafficking that often inhibits an individual from getting treatment or reaching out for help. Prostitution is voluntary and does not necessarily involve a pimp, whereas sex trafficking is involuntary and involves a pimp and the use of force, fraud or coercion.

6 Assessing for Major Risk Factors Living in a dysfunctional family also means that the possibility of one of your parent s or siblings selling you to a pimp increase. About 25 % of all sex trafficking victims in America are sold to a pimp by an immediate family member. Children who do not feel safe and protected in their own home tend to believe that life on the street is better. About 90% of child runaways are approached by a trafficker within the first 48 hours and over 50% become a victim of sex trafficking (Woodward, 2012)

7 A Local Program COPE Program at Haymarket Center: A Comprehensive Approach Evidence based trauma curriculum Substance Abuse Treatment Mental Health Treatment Medical Treatment Moral Reconation Therapy Access to Peer Support

8 Cope Program Project COPE Ethnicity / Race Non-white 84% Hispanic 9% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90%

9 COPE Program Project COPE Age 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% Years 2% Years 13% Years 36% Years 31% 50+ Years 18%

10 COPE Program 50% 45% 40% Incidence of Use in the 90 Days Prior to Intake 42% Percent of Participants 35% 30% 25% 20% 15% 22% 22% 18% 22% 20% 10% 5% 0%

11 Cope Program Project COPE Criminal Justice Involvement 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% 120% Current CJ Involvement 93% Controlled Environment 98% Arrests in P90 days 33%

12 COPE Program Project COPE Victimization rates 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% Ever Been Victimized Ever abused/worried about abuse 71% 71% Current worries about being victimized 2% High Severity Victimization 60% Acute Victimization 11%

13 COPE Program Project COPE HIV Risk Scale 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% Low 10% Moderate 39% High 51%

14 COPE Program Project COPE Prior substance abuse treatment episodes 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% None 22% One 22% 2+ episodes 56%

15 COPE Program Project COPE Substance abuse withdrawal and detox 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% Any Lifetime Withdrawal 78% Lifetime Detox 76%

16 COPE Program Project COPE Biomedical 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% Became Pregnant within Past Year 9% Moderate/High Health Problems 20% Ever in ER/Hosp 5+times 0%

17 COPE Program Project COPE Mental Health 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% Cognitive Impairment Med/High 2% Any Internal disorders Depression Suicidal Thoughts Anxiety Traumatic Related 11% 31% 38% 44% 53% Any External disorders ADHD Conduct Disorder 9% 38% 36% Any prior MH Treatment 62%

18 Cope Program Project COPE Mental Health Problem areas 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% Low Moderate High Traumatic Stress Low Moderate High Inattentive Disorder Low Moderate High Emotional Problems Low Moderate High Impulsive Personality Low Moderate High 0% 2% 18% 13% 18% 20% 31% 31% 38% 44% 53% 44% 49% 69% 69%

19 The Solutions Education of front line responders to be aware of the risk factors Recognizing the indicators of a potential victim or trafficking case, and be equipped to assist the survivor in receiving the most effective treatments and resources. Formalizing a standard national definition and check list that defines victimization so that victims will not be treated as criminals. Effective coordination of adequate services Prevention is a clear and promising intervention. Educating individuals on what sex trafficking is, the tricks that pimps use to lure them, the detrimental consequences of life as a victim, and the alternative paths they can choose instead.

20 Solutions Educating front line responders to the red flags(identification factors), and training them on the resources to help victims. General indicators for front line responders Lacks control over his/her schedule and/or money. Health concerns (HIV, pain, pregnancy). Signs of physical abuse that he/she does not want to discuss or tells inconsistent stories. Signs of addiction/abuse Has no personal belongings. Poor living conditions, Does not have family support, has been previously victimized, living with extensive security, monitored while on appointments, moved residences often, appears to have been coached how to speak.