Best Practices in Advocating for Trafficked Youth: Legal, Medical and Social Work Considerations
Last Month, the CASA Speaker Series featured local experts from the Philadelphia area to discuss Best Practices in Advocating for Trafficked Youth: Legal, Medical and Social Work Considerations. Human trafficking can feel like an overwhelming and frightening issue, but the presenters made a very challenging topic feel more manageable. The training provided some tremendous background information as well as case studies that helped connect the data and information to real life scenarios.
This training was extremely relevant to CASA volunteers, as the young people we support often experience numerous factors that can make them particularly vulnerable. Some of the vulnerabilities the presenters discussed include history of abuse and neglect, mental illness, poverty, intellectual disability, and more. Although our young people may experience many more of the factors that create vulnerabilities, it was also very clear that human trafficking can, and does, happen to anyone.
Some of the red flags that may become obvious to CASA volunteers include truancy, frequent running away, unexplained injuries, substance use or abuse, among others. One of the most important aspects of the training was hearing about what supports are helpful from a survivor perspective. Survivors express that some of the most important things a support person can do is actively listen, be present, provide encouragement, and the most importantly – remain non-judgmental.
by: Mae Noonan, LSW / EDM Supervisor
View presentation slides HERE.