Research Symposium

2:00 - 2:01 pm

Welcome by Dr. Joe Moravec, Symposium Moderator

2:01 - 2:03 pm

Opening Remarks

Dr. O’Meara’s Presentation. Systematic Involvement of the Legal Environment Toward Significant Reduction of the Incidence of the Trafficking of Children in Iowa.

• Lowering the incidence of the victimization of minor children for commercial sex (“sex trafficking”) and involuntary labor (“labor trafficking”) must involve a systematic approach, in significant part to be accomplished in the legal environment, including criminal and civil enforcement and litigation.  Toward this end, according to time-limitation, this presentation will highlight key concepts of: the legal definition of sex trafficking, “victims,” and traffickers; some implications of the “system-nature” of sex trafficking for intervention and prevention; and what each of us should be doing regarding sex trafficking. This will include reference to specific cases, especially some cases in or affecting Iowa.
• At the end of the presentation, the participant should be able to:

1. Describe human trafficking (sex trafficking/labor trafficking), including its “system-nature and its scope of victimization.
2. Explain the relationship between “Adverse Childhood Experiences “and the causation and proof of victimization in human trafficking; including some resulting implications for training, investigation, prosecution, and the comparative advantage of an integrated, multi-disciplinary response to human trafficking.
3. Describe the beginnings of implementation of civil law remedies regarding sex trafficking, including potential implications for health care providers and others.

Dr. Greenbaum’s Presentation. "What do We Actually Know About Child Sex and Labor Trafficking?" Child Trafficking in the United States: A public health approach to combatting exploitation.

• In this presentation, Dr. Greenbaum will share research on domestic and global risk/vulnerability factors for child trafficking (sex/labor), discuss the limits of research to date, identify the problems with prevalence estimates and research priorities. Moreover, she will describe the recruitment/control strategies used by traffickers, examine the physical and mental health impact of labor/sex trafficking as well as the long-term outcomes (what we know). Her focus will be in the research agenda for human trafficking. At the end of the presentation, the participant should be able to:

1. Recognize the common 'push' and 'pull' factors rendering children vulnerable to trafficking and exploitation.
2. Describe the dynamics of trafficking, including recruitment and control strategies.
3. Explain the health and mental health impact of child trafficking and exploitation

Teresa Davidson’s Presentation and Survivor Panel. (Heather Brown and Stacy West) “What About the Children? A Trauma-Informed Approach and Case Studies”

• In this presentation, Ms. Davidson will explore best practices for trauma-informed care of child trafficking victims and survivors, sharing case studies and a panel of young adult survivors sharing their real-life experiences and recommendations. At the end of the presentation, the participant should be able to:

1. Describe differences between different types of trauma.
2. Explain how Complex Trauma can affect the brain.
3. Identify basic Trauma-Informed Care principles in working with people who have experienced Complex Trauma 4.  Discuss real-life experiences of people who have experienced Complex Trauma due to Human Trafficking