Modern-Day Slavery: It Ends With Us
COALITION TO ABOLISH
SLAVERY & TRAFFICKING
UNDERSTANDING THE NEEDS OF
SURVIVORS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING
IN TRANSITIONAL HOUSING
Imelda Buncab
Training and Technical Assistance Coordinator
California Coalition Against Sexual Assault (CALCASA)
Carolyn Lumpkin, LCSW
Director of Empowerment Programs
Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking (CAST)
© Coalition to Abolish Slavery & Trafficking (CAST), 2009. All Rights Reserved.
OVERVIEW
1.
2.
3.
Understanding Trauma in Human
Trafficking Victims
Needs of Human Trafficking Survivors
Addressing Needs of HT Survivors
UNDERSTANDING TRAUMA IN
HUMAN TRAFFICKING VICTIMS
QUESTION:

What resonated with you from yesterday’s session for
the trauma-informed approach?
VIDEO: THE MAKING OF A GIRL
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvnRYte3PAk
TRAUMA IN HUMAN TRAFFICKING VICTIMS

Human Trafficking is usually long-term trauma
 HT is an ongoing traumatic experience for a victim
 While physical/sexual violence MAY be episodic
and/or infrequent, the psychological violence is
constant and other forms of abuse are ongoing

The perpetrator MAY be a loved one or it MAY not be,
but the trauma is interpersonal and intentional
COMPLEX TRAUMA IN HUMAN TRAFFICKING
SITUATIONS

Prolonged exposure to repetitive or severe events is
likely to cause the most severe and lasting effects
(International Society for the Study of Trauma and
Dissociation, 2009)

Interpersonal violence tends to be more traumatic than
natural disasters because it is more disruptive to our
fundamental sense of trust and attachment, and is
typically experienced as intentional rather than as “an
accident of nature.” (International Society for the Study
of Trauma and Dissociation, 2009)
COMPLEX TRAUMA

History of Multiple Traumas

Long-term exposure to trauma

Traumatic Stressors are usually Interpersonal

Often premeditated, planned, and repeated and
prolonged

Impacts are cumulative
THOUGHT DISTORTIONS:
SINGLE-INCIDENT TRAUMA VS. COMPLEX TRAUMA

Single-Incident Trauma
 i.e. Thought Distortions in Car Accident
 “If I get into a car, I will get into an accident.”
 “If I drive on the 110 freeway, someone will hit my
car, and I will be injured.”

Complex Trauma
 i.e. Thought Distortions in Human Trafficking
 “Nobody will love me after this.” “My pimp is the
only one that loves me.”
 “I’m worthless.”
 “The police will deport me.”
COMPLEX TRAUMA REACTIONS

Alterations in how one regulates emotions/impulses:

Alterations in attention/consciousness:

Somatization

Alterations in self-perception

Alterations in relations with others:

Alterations in systems of meaning:
EXTERNALIZING BEHAVIORS

Self mutilation

Dysfunctional sexual behavior

Violent behavior

Substance & Alcohol Abuse

Eating Disorders

Re-victimization
TRAUMA BONDING & STOCKHOLM SYNDROME

Trauma Bonding
Result of ongoing abuse where intermittent
reinforcement of reward and punishment creates
powerful emotional bonds that are resistant to
change

Stockholm Syndrome
Psychological phenomenon where hostages
express empathy/sympathy and have positive
feelings for their captors, sometimes defending and
identifying with the captors
HUMAN TRAFFICKING VICTIMS MAY NOT APPEAR TO
WANT HELP
 Captivity,
confinement and isolation
 Use and threat of violence against self or family
 Fear, shame, self-blame and hopelessness
 Dependency
 Distrust of law enforcement
 Misinformation/false promises
 Lack of knowledge of social systems
 Non-identification
as a victim
DIFFICULTY ESTABLISHING TRUST
 Mistrust
due to histories of betrayal from
families, service systems, law enforcement &
governments
 Victim
is afraid that law enforcement and
service providers can compromise physical
safety:
i.e. Trafficker will find them or deportation
NEEDS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING
SURVIVORS
ACTIVITY: ASSESSING THE NEEDS OF
TRAFFICKING SURVIVORS

What do you think a trafficking survivor would
need?

Emergency Needs

Short-Term Needs

Long-Term Needs
SAFETY

Gauge potential risks posed by trafficker(s) to the client,
the client’s family, and to any staff working with the
client

Safety Assessment and Planning:
 History of threats and violence
 Presence of current danger to client that require
specific action
 Presence of current danger to client’s family that
require action
 Any remaining circumstances specific to client that
require action
 Client’s expressed needs in order to feel safe
HOUSING
Emergency/Transitional Housing
 Affordable housing for independent living
 Shared Housing
 Tenants’ rights education
 Utilities information

PHYSICAL HEALTH
Emergency care
 Immediate screening for injury/illness
 Rape exam
 Primary health care
 Vaccinations/TB test/STD/HIV tests
 Chronic illness care
 OB/GYN
 Dental
 Vision
 Nutrition assessment

MENTAL HEALTH
Emergency Psychiatric/Mental Health Care
 Culturally sensitive therapist referrals
 Varying levels of mental health care/needs
 Alternative care
 Supportive counseling
 Normalizing and Validation

LEGAL
Interfacing with Law Enforcement (Criminal, Civil,
Immigration)
 Victim-Witness Advocacy
 Immigration Assistance
 Clearing Criminal Records
 Family Law
 Civil Remedies

EDUCATION/EMPLOYMENT
Literacy
 ESL
 GED/High School Diploma
 Vocational Training
 Career Planning
 Job Search
 Job Skills Development
 Education Rights Education
 Labor Rights Education

FINANCIAL
Public Benefits/Income Source
 Credit/Debt
 Financial Life Skills
 SSI/WIC
 Basic Necessities: Food, Clothing, etc.

FAMILY/CHILDREN/DERIVATIVES

Family Reunification



DCFS
Other States/Locations
Benefit of T-Visa

Childcare Coordination

Children’s Education/Vaccinations

Social Services and Needs for Family Members (Children
or Parents, etc.)
SUPPORT SYSTEMS
Family
 Friends
 Support Groups
 Social Groups
 Religious Groups
 Ongoing Support

SURVIVOR OUTCOMES ASSESSMENT (SOA)
ADDRESSING THE NEEDS OF HT
SURVIVORS
CAST SHELTER PROGRAM
EMPOWERMENT FRAMEWORK

Focus on strengths to seek solutions to problems

Protect right to self-determination

Goals are voiced by the client

Non-judgmental

Advocate for client rights as victims of crime

Address societal and institutional challenges that are
root causes for vulnerability and which hinder progress
TRAUMA-INFORMED CARE

Trauma-informed care views the
behaviors and responses expressed
by survivors as directly related to
traumatic experiences

Aims to avoid re-victimization

Strives to maximize choices for the
survivor and have control over the
healing process
TRAUMA-INFORMED APPROACH
 Be
aware of how questions can create judgment,
shame, or re-traumatization.

Examples: Why didn’t you just leave? Why didn’t you cry
out for help?
 Be
aware of your own biases.
 Seek
to be culturally humble
CULTURAL FACTORS

Culture includes: ethnicity, nationality, gender, sexual
orientation, family culture, neighborhood culture, etc.

Linguistic Needs

Possible no frame of reference for social services

Comfort level in seeking support from own cultural community

Possible feelings of obligation or shame in accessing services
CONFIDENTIALITY IN HT CASES

Think about the criminal/civil case

Record only what you need to document services

Screen all interpreters

Protect the right to privacy and safety by using Informed
Consents and Authorization for Release of Information

Explain limits on confidentiality
TYPICAL IMMIGRATION REMEDIES FOR
VICTIMS OF TRAFFICKING
Short term:
Continued Presence
Long term:
T-Visa
U Visa
Trafficking
Violent Crimes
WHAT IS CONTINUED PRESENCE?

Provides temporary immigration relief to potential
witnesses who are victims of severe forms of trafficking

Initially granted for one year and may be renewed in oneyear increments

Provides work authorization
WHAT IS A T-VISA?
Determined a victim of severe form of trafficking in
persons
Is present in U.S., American Samoa, Northern Marianas
on account of trafficking
Has complied with reasonable request for assistance in
investigation or prosecution of acts of trafficking
 Children under 15 are exempt
Would suffer extreme hardship involving unusual and
severe harm upon removal
Can apply for legal permanent residency after and can
apply to bring family from home country
WHAT IS A U-VISA?
Available for those who have suffered substantial
physical or mental abuse as a result of having been the
victim of certain criminal activity, including trafficking
Crime must have occurred in the United States or
violated U.S. law, and must possess information about
the crime
Must include a certification from a law enforcement
official stating the victim has assisted
Can apply for legal permanent residency after
WHAT IS CERTIFICATION?
Foreign National Adult Victims of Human Trafficking are
eligible for Federal and State benefits to the same extent as a
refugee upon receiving certification
 Refugee Cash Assistance / Refugee Employment Project
 Match Grant Program
 Food stamps
 Medicaid
Department of Health and Human Services issues the
certification letter after being notified that:
 Department of Homeland Security grants a person
Continued Presence
 T-Visa
 Bona fide T Visa application hasn’t been denied
OTHER BENEFITS TO CONSIDER
 Victims





of Crime Compensation Funds
Medical Costs
Funeral/Burial Costs
Mental Health Counseling
Lost wages or loss of support
Other expenses
SOME ISSUES IN HOUSING HT SURVIVORS

Shelter Policies

Assessing safety of shelter location and services for
trafficking survivor

Differences in timelines for DV and HT survivors

Biases and Cross-Cultural Issues

Needs vary widely depending on the HT survivor ->
Need for multi-agency collaboration
EXERCISE

For the following cases:
 What do you need to assess for?
 What are the referrals that you need?
 How will you go about gathering those referrals?
 What issues/challenges can you see coming up?
CLIENT BK







40 year old monolingual (non-English speaking) Vietnamese
female
Survivor of labor trafficking in domestic servitude
No documents, no legal status in the US
Critical medical issues: Serious physical injuries that has been
neglected for 8 years
Depressed and anxious
Unemployed
Family crisis in her country
CLIENT SQ







22 year old female US Citizen
Survivor of sex trafficking – trafficked since the age of 14
Prior arrests in three states
History with DCFS – childhood sexual abuse
Physical injuries
PTSD, anxiety, depression, history of suicidal ideation
Pimp/trafficker(s) not apprehended
MULTI-AGENCY RESPONSE: WHO
Social
Service
Providers
Federal Law
Enforcement
Local Law
Enforcement
DOJ
State’s Attorney
Interpreters
Immigration
Attorney
AUSA
VWC
Case managers
Paralegal
VWC
Shelter Staff
Pro bono
attorney
Civil attorney
FBI
Municipal
Police/Investigator
Interpreters
DOL/EEOC
Therapist
ESL Teacher
Doctor
Dentist
Volunteers
State and federal
benefit issuing
agencies
Legal Service
Providers
ICE
IRS
Interpreters
County
Police/Investigator
State
Police/Investigator
LEA Interpreters
MULTI-AGENCY RESPONSE: WHAT
Social
Service
Providers
Housing/Shelter
Medical Care
Mental Health
Legal Service
Providers
Inform client of
rights under
TVPA
Advocate for CP
Accompany client
to LEA interviews
Education/ESL
Apply for T visa
Job Training
Coordination with
refugee benefits
issuing agencies
Apply for other
available
immigration relief
Possible
repatriation
Federal Law
Enforcement
Continued
Presence
Interviews with
victim-witness
Prosecution &
Restitution under
TVPA:
Sec. 1589-94
Other federal
charges:
Harboring, RICO,
Labor violations,
etc.
T visa LEA
endorsement
Local Law
Enforcement
Prosecution
under state
crimes:
Trafficking
Domestic
Violence
Assault/Battery
Rape
Kidnapping
Labor violations
T visa LEA
endorsement
MULTI-AGENCY RESPONSE: MOST
IMPORTANT PERSON
Social Service
Providers
Federal Law
Enforcement
Legal Service
Providers
Local Law
Enforcement
VIDEO: EFFECTIVE VICTIM SERVICES
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4bga2CnZnc