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Human Trafficking – Needs for Collaborative Efforts
Alicia White, LCSWNOFSW Annual Conference
Baltimore, MDApril 16, 2012
Objectives Develop an understanding of human
trafficking;
Identify and distinguish the roles between Social Workers and Attorneys who work with trafficking victims;
Develop successful collaborative methods with other agencies and professionals working with victims of human trafficking.
What is Human Trafficking?
Violation of human rights The illegal trade of human beings
through abduction or recruitment by means of:
Force, Fraud or Coercion
Trafficking as Defined by the Law
“Severe forms of trafficking in persons”: Sex trafficking in which a commercial sex act is
induced by force, fraud, or coercion, or in which the person induced to perform a sexual act has not reached 18 years of age; or
The recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision or obtaining of a person for labor or services, through the use of force, fraud or coercion for the purpose of subjection to involuntary servitude, peonage, debt bondage or slavery.
§22 U.S.C.7102(8) (2008)
Who Identifies Victims of Trafficking?
Law enforcement agents Attorneys (prosecutors, immigration,
criminal defense) Victim service providers Ethnic or immigrant community
organizations Current/former clients Health care facilities
Guiding Principles Recognizing that sustainable change and
improved response to trafficked persons requires increased capacity of network partners working in concert to support trafficked person.
Developing new ways of working together to deliver services, share information, identify resources and advocate is pivotal to an effective response to trafficked persons.
Why Collaborate?
To get a result not possible through the work of a single discipline.
Helps to achieve an outcome that is good for the case and good for the client.
What is an Interdisciplinary Team?
Individuals with different professional expertise
Share a common goal Have diverse perspectives Develop a shared understanding Develop a collaborative strategy
Steps in Effective Collaboration
Steps in Effective Collaboration
• Role Clarification and Boundaries• Identify priorities and goals that are realistic of
each other and case• Establish a timeline• Allow each member to use skills appropriate to
their profession• Be mindful of each other’s time constraints and
schedules• Maintain frequent two-way communication• Remember each member speaks a different
language• Review functioning – what’s working, what isn’t?
Role of Social Service Provider
• Advocate for client
• Provide case management
• Offer supportive counseling
• Coordinate services
• Assess needs
Assessment of Service Needs Immediate Needs Information and
Options Safety Planning Housing Legal
Mental Health Health Care Life Skills Employment Family
Reunification
Needs of Trafficking VictimsTangible Needs
• Crisis housing• Long-term housing• Clothing• Education• Job or income• Viable alternatives to employment• Transportation• Legal Representation or advocacy• Opportunities to develop new skills
and strengths• Medical and dental care• Health education• Counseling and/or case management• Safety plan• Childcare and/or parenting skills
Intangible Needs• Safety• Protection• Nonjudgmental environment• Respect• Engagement in positive community• Healthy adult relationships• Mentors or positive role models• Supportive peers• Understanding of the recovery process• Affirmation of skills and strengths• Recognition of abuse and trauma• An opportunity to not be defined solely
by abuse and trauma• Options• A sense of empowerment in one’s own
healing and restoration process• Leadership opportunities• Holistic care
Role of Legal Service Provider
Provide legal representation Assist clients to secure immigration
relief including filing for visas Advocate through criminal justice
process Support during any legal processes
including civil, criminal and immigration
Potential Obstacles to Attorney-Social Work Teams
Different “schools” of thought Law Firm vs. Social Service Agency Different ways to engage clients Different views of client self-
determination Different professional boundaries Different professional rules and
ethical codes
What Can Social Workers Do?
Evaluate the client through a psychosocial interview and write a comprehensive report that may include: Information obtained through
collateral contacts Reviewing medical records Using assessment instruments
What Can Social Workers Do? Advocate for alternative sentencing and
access through referrals to appropriate treatment programs
Provide supportive counseling and crisis intervention to family members and clients
Collaborate with other professionals including, psychiatrists, psychologists, hospital personnel, case managers, social workers, etc.
What Social Workers Can’t Do?
Provide legal advice Be miracle workers Find appropriate programs within a
very short period of time “Bend the truth” or make
modifications to a report that puts their credibility at risk
Client Stories…Client Stories…
The advice I would like to give to The advice I would like to give to those in a position of legislative those in a position of legislative
power is…power is…In life there are imperative decisions to be made that will affect the status of one’s In life there are imperative decisions to be made that will affect the status of one’s life. Women in the life are faced with these oppositions, and we wonder where this life. Women in the life are faced with these oppositions, and we wonder where this life will take us; death, jail or an insane society. We understand that the life we live life will take us; death, jail or an insane society. We understand that the life we live may not be honorable to society, but it is a life of bare fulfillment. However, you may not be honorable to society, but it is a life of bare fulfillment. However, you should understand that it is not the money or the ridicule…But it is a void, an should understand that it is not the money or the ridicule…But it is a void, an emptiness that has never been filled or just ignored.emptiness that has never been filled or just ignored.
I pose the question, are we criminals? To some. Are we a disgrace to society and I pose the question, are we criminals? To some. Are we a disgrace to society and our families? To some. Or is there somewhere beneath the surface a little girl lost; our families? To some. Or is there somewhere beneath the surface a little girl lost; who never had the chance to cry out, who never heard the words “I love you” who never had the chance to cry out, who never heard the words “I love you” without equating it to sex, or abandoned by the people who are “suppose” to love without equating it to sex, or abandoned by the people who are “suppose” to love you, or raped and too ashamed to share, or hates her own image because of you, or raped and too ashamed to share, or hates her own image because of society says she should look like, or never understood why she was never society says she should look like, or never understood why she was never considered “fair”!considered “fair”!
So the next time you’re face to face with a woman in the life and you as her, why So the next time you’re face to face with a woman in the life and you as her, why are you doing this? Her response may be, I do it to survive! Bur try to look beyond are you doing this? Her response may be, I do it to survive! Bur try to look beyond the “Crime’ and your own ‘Strife’ and maybe you’ll see the scars that lay deep the “Crime’ and your own ‘Strife’ and maybe you’ll see the scars that lay deep inside; that keep her awake in the night!inside; that keep her awake in the night!
- Anonymous, age 22, survivor of domestic sex trafficking- Anonymous, age 22, survivor of domestic sex trafficking
SERVICES FOR VICTIMS OF SEX TRAFFICKINGin New York, New York and beyond
Women’s Independence, Safety & Empowerment (WISE) @ Midtown Community Court
Serves: All Clients Involved in Prostitution and Victims of TraffickingNew York, NY 10019(646) 264-1332
Urban Justice Center Sexworkers ProjectServes: All Clients Involved in Sex work and Victims of TraffickingNew York, NY 10038www.sexworkersproject.org
GEMS (Girls Education and Mentoring Services)Serves: Victims of Commercial Sexual Exploitation from 12 - 21 Years Old(212) 926-8089www.gems-girls.org
Sanctuary For FamiliesServes: All Victims of Trafficking(212) 349-6009www.sanctuaryforfamilies.org
SERVICES FOR VICTIMS OF SEX RAFFICKINGin New York, New York and beyond
Safe Horizon Anti-Trafficking ProgramServes: All Victims of Trafficking (718) 943-8631www.safehorizon.org
New York Asian Women’s CenterServes: All Victims of Trafficking with focus on Asian WomenNew York, NY 10002(212)732-0054www.nyawc.org
Restore NYCServes: Korean and Chinese Victims of TraffickingNew York, NY 10274-1003www.restorenyc.org
SERVICES FOR VICTIMS OF SEX TRAFFICKINGin New York, New York and beyond
Sexual Assault & Violence Intervention Program @ Mount Sinai Medical Center
Serves: Victims of Trafficking, Sexual Assault & Abuse in all Boroughs(212) 432-2140www.mountsinai.org
My Sister’s PlaceServes: All Victims of Trafficking with focus on Westchester & Duchess
Counties (914) 683-1333www.mysistersplaceny.org
Polaris ProjectServes: All Victims of Trafficking with focus on New Jersey(973) 624-5454www.polarisproject.org
Contact Information
Alicia White, LCSWThe Legal Aid Society49 Thomas Street New York, New York 10013
(212) 298-5442 (tel.)
