Risk and Intervention for Sexually Exploited and Trafficked Youth

3 Hours | 3 CEs

This on-demand professional training program on Risk and Intervention for Sexually Exploited and Trafficked Youth is presented by Kristen Byrnes, PsyD, and HaeSung Han, PsyD.

According to the National Human Trafficking Hotline’s statistics, of the identified 22,326 victims and survivors contacting the service in 2019 alone, 5,359 were minors. Commercial sexual exploitation [CSE] and trafficking of youth are rooted in the objectification of and adultification of youth, sexism, and racism, which are enacted within the various systems in which youth are embedded [e.g. education, child protective services, juvenile justice].

In working with youth who have been sexually exploited or trafficked, it is imperative to understand the influence of both the larger systemic impact, as well as those risk factors that contribute to individual vulnerability. Factors contributing to individual risk include but are not limited to exposure to a high number of ACEs, especially sexual abuse, family instability, homelessness, and substance use. An in-depth understanding of this population and their needs highlights the necessity to provide treatment interventions focused on emotion regulation, attachment, and interpersonal effectiveness rather than more traditional approaches of symptom reduction or TF-CBT.

This program discusses definitions, relevant statutes, and the prevalence of sexual abuse in the prison pipeline and a review of systemic factors; including Racism, sexism, objectification, and adultification. How they play out in various systems, access to money, and education, including, Individual risk factors, ACE exposure, family instability, attachment, homelessness, and substance abuse, is also discussed.

The application of emotion regulation, attachment, and interpersonal effectiveness interventions, as well as the limits of symptom reduction/TF-CBT within this population, is discussed. Case studies are used to bring the discussion to life.

This program is ideal for professionals familiar with general trauma-based interventions, TF-CBT, and DBT, whose specialty and environment as relatively broad. Practitioners doing screenings and triages for intervention, evaluators, therapists, and those in program development would all benefit.