User:Mjb399/sandbox

PE Organization

My organization is called San Francisco SafeHouse. SafeHouse is a transitional home for formerly unhoused women who have survived sexual exploitation in the form of human trafficking, prostitution, and survival sex work. SafeHouse offers a wide variety of gender-sensitive, trauma-informed, and individualized survivor centered services that aim to empower and restore the confidence and independence of the women they serve. These services include group therapy, money management classes, fitness training, substance abuse recovery, and case management. During my time there, I anticipate working with women directly during their day-to-day activities, managing and increasing the organization's social media presence in order to expand their donor base, and assist with administrative tasks. SafeHouse is also working to open a day center, so I could be asked to help with that as well.

Wikipedia Article Selection

Area

Sexual Exploitation, Trafficking, and Sex Work: San Francisco, CA

Sex Trafficking

Sections of interest:

• Common Misconceptions
• Defining the Issue >> United States
• Profile and modus operandi of traffickers >> Survival Sex
• Anti-sex Trafficking Efforts >> In the United States; Criminalizing and Legalizing prostitution

Addition to previous selection (Sex trafficking in the United States): This framing of sex trafficking emerged during the period of second-wave feminism during the early 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s in the United States.

Citation: Outshoorn, J. (2005-03-01). "The Political Debates on Prostitution and Trafficking of Women". Social Politics: International Studies in Gender, State & Society. 12 (1): 141–155. doi:10.1093/sp/jxi004. ISSN 1072-4745.

Sector

Trauma Recovery and Empowerment

Recovery approach

This article discusses recovery from mental illness more broadly, while the later discusses a specific set of formal practices and beliefs in the mental health recovery sector. I could add to this article by expanding beyond mental health illnesses and including other trauma-inducing experiences, such as sexual exploitation.

The article discusses recovery from substance dependence and "mental illness" broadly. I could expand upon the other "issues" that the recovery approach could be used for. My PE organization's work and mission fits closely with the recovery approach.

"Psychological recovery or recovery model or the recovery approach to mental disorder or substance dependence emphasizes and supports a person's potential for recovery." (Recovery Approach) I would like to add something related to trauma to the list!

Sections of interest:

• Elements of Recovery
  • current sections: connectedness and supportive relationships, hope, identity, formation of healthy coping strategies and meaningful internal schema, empowerment and building a secure base
  • Interested in adding a section about agency
• Concepts of Recovery
  • current sections: Varied definitions, Recovery from substance dependence
  • Interested in adding a section "Recovery from Traumatic Experiences" ((working title))

Article Evaluation

I evaluated Human trafficking in California. This article is part of the California WikiProject and part of a series on slavery. It has been rated as "Start" for the quality and rated "Mid-importance" on the importance scale. On the "Talk" page, other editors have added more external links to make the article more robust and sourced. There were also updates to the article's content in February of 2018. When readers go to the article, there is a warning from March 2018 that flag the presence of "excessive amount of intricate detail that may interest only a particular audience." Wikipedia's inclusion policy is said to be violated because of the excessive detail. I find that odd because I would think that an article should have detail and lots of information in order to be the most useful. Because the article – and human trafficking as a concept – encompasses a wide array of topics, perhaps this suggestion is meant to narrow the article down to only essentials and encourage the creation of new articles focused on more specific subjects.

The section "Demographics of Trafficking Persons" seems to be claiming a high degree of authority when it comes to characterizing the kind of people that are most likely to be trafficked. The sub-section about the structural causes only cite one source, so I should look to expand the research in that section.

One section that distracted me was "Region of Origin" which discussed Latin America – specifically Mexico – and the high volume of trafficking that beings in those areas and then comes into California. It is relevant, but this is probably an example of the Wikipedia warning about excessive detail.

Some of the statistics cited in this article are as old as 2011, so those need to be updated. However, most of the sources seem reliable and scholarly. It appears the article has been consistently added to over the years. The tone condemns human trafficking, which I think is correct to do, but some statements about survivors and offenders seem like broad claims with little evidence.

The flow of the article feels disjointed, as if there is too much going on. I could improve the article by reorganizing the sections in order to create a more fluid read.

Scholarly Sources

Area

1. The Political Debates on Prostitution and Trafficking of Women

Cite: Outshoorn, J. (2005). The Political Debates on Prostitution and Trafficking of Women. Social Politics: International Studies in Gender, State and Society 12(1), 141-155. Oxford University Press. Retrieved February 20, 2019, from Project MUSE database.

Outshoorn write to discusses the various debates surrounding prostitution and trafficking. Outshoorn particularly focuses on how women’s movements have triggered increased the debates in the United States and international community form the late 60’s to the present. Outshoorn argues these debates show competing groups trying to dominate the narrative and thus push their specific political agendas forward. The two main discourses Outshoorn compares are the “sexual domination/abolition” discourse, which considers all prostitution and trafficking a form of sexual slavery, and the “sex work” discourse that argues prostitution is a form of survival and thus needs to be destigmatized. Since these different discourses justify different policy action, I can use these debates to contribute to the “Defining the Issue” section of my W.article and discuss the implications of different frameworks. My W.article also has a section for “Common Misconceptions” about the differences between sex trafficking and prostitution. Outshoorn also prepares me for my organization as she discusses the stigma and needs talk that surrounds women in both prostitution and sex trafficking. My organization serves women from both backgrounds, so I need to be aware of the stigmas and harmful narratives that are perpetuated about these women so that I can avoid contributing to the stigma and victimization they have experienced.

2. Women in Street Prostitution: The Result of Poverty and the Brunt of Inequity

Cite: Jacquelyn Monroe PhD (2005) Women in Street Prostitution: The Result of Poverty and the Brunt of Inequity, Journal of Poverty, 9:3, 69-88, DOI: 10.1300/J134v09n03_04.

Monroe writes in response to the relationship between prostitution and poverty and the structural biases in the legislation and law enforcement. Monore's argues that street prostitution and sexual exploitation are the result of structural oppression, notably racism, classism, and sexism. Monroe makes her argument by drawing from Africana womanist theory to illuminate the intersections of sex work, poverty, racism, and classism as well as the various motivations women have when entering sex work. To exemplify her point, Monroe argues that prostitution laws frequently target the prostitute, particularly the women on the street who are often low-income women of color. Monroe’s short term solutions to the issue align with the work my organization is doing, including housing, clothing, medical attention, and relationship building skills. Monroe’s focus on the racial and economic factors that cause women to turn to sex work will help me understand one reason why the women my organization serves were in exploitative situations. I can also bring the ideas of Africana womanism to the “Survival Sex” section of my W.article and discuss the structural problems of racism, sexism, and classism that can drive women into sex work.

3. The Public Life of Sex Work

Cite: Knight, K. R. (2012). The Public Life of Sex Work. Western Humanities Review, 66(3), 55–76. Retrieved fromhttps://libproxy.berkeley.edu/login?qurl=http%3a%2f%2fsearch.ebscohost.com%2flogin.aspx%3fdirect%3dtrue%26db%3dhlh%26AN%3d83699518%26site%3deds-live.

Knight writes to investigate the arguments for and against Proposition K, a 2008 proposition on the San Francisco ballot that would have decriminalized prostitution. The bill did not pass. Knight argues that Proposition K would have improved the lives of indoor prostitutes but ignores the struggles street sex workers face, such as homelessness and the illegal drug trade. Knight lays out the piece by discussing three different arguments about Proposition K, each with a different framework for what sex work is, resulting in different justifications for why the Proposition was seen as good or bad. This discussion is useful for my research about terminology surrounding sex work and exploitation because it shows how different definitions effect the policy suggestions. This article also helps me contribute to the “Survival Sex” section in my W.articles because Knight talks about the economic factors that push women into prostitution. Knight’s work is valuable to me because it provides relevant and contemporary context for the issues surrounding the women I will be working with. Knight also argues that women in sex work, who are also homeless, are locked out of the political system altogether. My organization focuses especially on these women by participating in advocacy to the city government on their behalf.

4. Between Victim and Agent: A Third-Way Feminist Account of Trafficking for Sex Work

Cite: Cavalieri. (2011). Between Victim and Agent: A Third-Way Feminist Account of Trafficking for Sex work. Indiana Law Journal.

Cavalieri analyzes the strengths and pitfalls of two dominant frameworks for sex trafficking and prostitution – the dominance feminism theory, or the abolitionist perspective, and the poststructuralist, sex work advocate framework – in order to argue for a new theoretical approach that pulls from both dominant frameworks. Cavalieri's approach is pragmatic and context specific, understanding that while these industries do arise from sex-based domination and exploitation, there is also room for a variety of women's experiences. Cavalieri affirms the intersections of oppression that can lead to prostitution and sex trafficking and the autonomy of survivors in defining their own story. This article related to my Practice experience because my organization affirms the autonomy of women to define their stories and the multifaceted oppression their clients have experienced, so this article provides theoretical bases for where those viewpoints derived from. I can use this article to add to "Defining the Issue," "Common Misconceptions," and "Survival Sex" because it discusses different definitions of sex trafficking and sex work that can enrich my article. Cavalieri also discusses structural and economic factors that limit a woman’s options outside of sex work which is part of the “Survival Sex” discussion.

5. Researching Prostitution and Sex Work Comparatively

Cite: Weitzer, R. (2015). Researching Prostitution and Sex Trafficking Comparatively. Sexuality Research and Social Policy, 12(2), 81-91. Springer US. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13178-014-0168-3.

Weitzer highlights the flaws in the existing research methods of prostitution and sex work. The dominant framing of prostitution as problematic and disruptive for communities denies the structural factors that can force someone into prostitution and the agency one might have to choose sex work. Weitzer argues the incomplete data and exclusionary frameworks are a result of leaving sex workers out of the conversations surrounding their needs and problems. In addition, another flaw is the fact that men are disproportionately excluded from the research and thus the policies and legislation. These ideas provide a backdrop for all of my other sources and allow me to view each of them with the understanding that the data fueling many conclusions is incomplete. This also can help me remain critical about my organization and the knowledge they are using to justify their actions, as well as the knowledge they produce about others. Even though Weitzer focuses on sex work, the insufficiencies of the present research can be extended to the literature on sex trafficking as well. All of this fuels problematic and harmful frameworks, which can lead to common misconceptions and inefficient policies. I will use this material to add some lines about why "Common Misconceptions" arise.

6. Filling the Gap: Refining Sex Trafficking Legislation to Address the Problem of Pimping.

Cite: Elrod, J. (2015). Filling the gap: refining sex trafficking legislation to address the problem of pimping. Vanderbilt Law Review, (3), 961.

Elrod writes this piece to propose new federal offense for pimping and revisions to current sex trafficking legislation in the United States. To make his argument, Elrod goes into depth about the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) and how it has framed and handled sex trafficking. Because sex trafficking and prostitution are often conflated and difficult to distinguish from one another, legislation often struggles to combat sex trafficking. In addition, sections of TVPA that do target sex trafficking require evidence of force, fraud, or coercion. Because of the prevalence of mental and emotional manipulation in both trafficking and prostitution, many cases fall short of force or fraud and thus fly under the radar. Elrod calls for comprehensive legislation that accounts for the links between prostitution and sex trafficking and the range of consent and coercion that can occur in both industries because of factors such as economic vulnerability. This article deepens my understanding of the complexity of state provisioning for this issue. The fact that the debates in how to monitor and define what sex trafficking are so complicated proves why legislation is difficult to create and enforce. My organization operates outside of state provisioning, but it is helpful to understand the political context of these issues. Elrod's discussion of the links between prostitution and sex trafficking can add to the “Common Misconceptions” and “Defining the issue” sections of my WikiR articles. I can also add some more details about TVPA’s specific provisions in the section titled "Anti-Sex Trafficking Efforts."

7. Prevalence and Correlates of Survival Sex Among Runaway and Homeless Youth

Cite: J M Greene, S T Ennett, and C L Ringwalt. Health and Social Policy Division, Research Triangle Institute, NC 27709-2194, USA. Prevalence and correlates of survival sex among runaway and homeless youth.”, American Journal of Public Health 89, no. 9 (September 1, 1999): pp. 1406-1409. doi: 10.2105/AJPH.89.9.1406.

In this piece, Greene et. al discuss survival sex as it relates to sex trafficking and prostitution. In this study, the authors found that for homeless, runaway youth on the streets, sex was found as a means of obtaining material needs like food and shelter, making it an economic strategy. Factors besides homelessness, such as abuse by a family member or family drug use, can also contribute to the prevalence of selling sex for survival needs for minors. This research highlights the multifaceted nature of poverty and the way that the effects of poverty and adverse childhood experiences can perpetuate cycles of deeper poverty and crime. Though my PE does not serve minors, they do serve the population at the intersection of sexual exploitation and homelessness, so this article sheds light on how the two are often related. I will use this to add to the "Survival Sex" section. This article also talks about ways to strengthen the safety net for runaway and homeless youth, such as independent living programs and financial literacy programs, so they don't need to rely on selling sex. This relates to me PE that focuses on facilitating the functionality of their clients so that their vulnerability to sex work and trafficking is decreased.

8. Services to Domestic Minor Victims of Sex Trafficking: Opportunities for Engagement and Support

Cite: Gibbs, D. A., Walters, J. L. H., Lutnick, A. Miller, S. Kluckman, M. (2015). Services to domestic minor victims of sex trafficking: opportunities for engagement and support. Children and Youth Services Review, 54, 1-7. Elseiver. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2015.04.003.

Gibbs et. al write this piece in order to evaluate the results of a study that collected data from three different programs centered on sex trafficking of minors in the United States. The two main categories the authors identify as trends in sex trafficking of minors are homeless minors selling sex for survival purposes and minors who are being emotionally manipulated by a trafficker. Childhood abuse and neglect, as well as being homeless, all increase a minor's vulnerability to sex trafficking due to the emotional deprivation and economic, material needs. Gibbs et. al argue for services that foster long-term sustainability, self-sufficiency, safety, and well-being. Gibbs et. al also emphasize the importance of creating survivor-centered services for minor survivors of sex trafficking. Considering the trauma of sexual exploitation – as well childhood abuse, family drug use, and homelessness – services that emphasize trust, safety, and predictability are crucial to facilitating effective rehabilitation. Gibbs et. al suggest strategies for support such as tangible resources, case management, mentors, and atmospheres of respect. This holistic approach is similar to my Practice experience’s method. This article shows how trauma-informed care is necessary because it addresses multiple layers of oppression and abuse simultaneously. I plan to add information from this piece as a case study for why trauma-informed care matters for vulnerable communities, such as domestic minor survivors of sex trafficking. Understanding the intersections between homelessness, poverty, and sex trafficking will prepare me for the clients my organization serves. I will also use some of these findings and conclusions in the "Survival Sex" section of my article to discuss the economic factors that can lead to sex work

9. Updating the Domestic and International Impact of the U.S. Victims of Trafficking Protection Act of 2000: Does Law Deter Crime?

Cite: Tiefenbrun, S. W. (2006). Updating the Domestic and International Impact of the U.S. Victims of Trafficking Protection Act of 2000: Does Law Deter Crime? Case Western Reserve Journal of International Law, 38(2), 249–280. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=bth&AN=25753594&site=eds-live.

Tiefenbrun analyzes the legal and political effects of the Trafficking and Violence Protection Act (TVPA) in domestic and international contexts. Tiefenbrun highlights the various changes and additions that have happened in the law, as well as the establishment of new task forces and agencies charged with enforcing TVPA and monitoring trafficked persons. One significant change was the addition of more criminal statutes that broadened the scope of the legislation. Tiefenbrun argues that since TVPA, trafficking convictions have increased and survivors have more protections and incentives to cooperate in their trafficker's prosecution. Though Tiefenbrun focuses on the institutionalized legal reform in the arena of sex trafficking, he also suggests that convictions would increase if the government increases its support for NGOs and their role in raising public awareness regarding sex trafficking. Tiefenburn's view of TVPA provides me with diverse viewpoints on this landmark anti-sex trafficking legislation. It will be interesting to see how my organization views the efficacy of TVPA, as well as learn the links between NGOs and state provisioning in the real world of anti-sex trafficking efforts. I plan to add information from this piece to the sections about the U.Ss in both "Defining the Issue" and "Anti-Sex Trafficking Efforts" in order to add more details about TVPA.

10. Highways and Byways: Following Connecticut's Path in Creating Holistic Domestic Sex Trafficking Laws in Indiana

Cite: Forbes, K. M. (2018). Highways and Byways: Following Connecticut’s Path in Creating Holistic Domestic Sex Trafficking Laws in Indiana. Indiana Law Review, Vol 51, 499-523.

Forbes focuses on sex trafficking legislation in Connecticut and Indiana after TVPA's initial establishment in 2000 in order to suggest legislative reform to Indiana’s sex trafficking law. While TVPA is a major piece of trafficking legislation, Forbes argues it is not sufficient and advocates for the measures Connecticut has taken to increase the strength of their sex trafficking laws. Connecticut's sex trafficking laws focus on hotel/motel accountability and education, safe harbor laws for minors, and harsher punishment for demand. Forbes overall argues that state governments need to be committed to funneling resources into anti-trafficking efforts beyond criminal statutes and increase commitment to collaborating with law enforcement and other state governments. Looking at Connecticut as a case study for how to tackle sex trafficking at the state level can prepare me to interact with how sex trafficking is handled at the city level with San Francisco policymakers. This research also provides alternatives to simply criminalization of traffickers and additions to TVPA's wider scope. I can add information from this piece to the sections about the US in both "Defining the Issue" and "Anti-Sex Trafficking Efforts" since the article discusses legal definitions of sex trafficking and critiques of TPVA.

Sector

1. Trauma-Informed or Trauma-Denied: Principles & Implementation of Trauma-Informed Services for Women

Cite: Elliott, Denise E.; Bjelajac, Paula; Fallot, Roger D.; Markoff, Laurie S.; Reed, Beth Glover (2005-7). "Trauma-informed or trauma-denied: Principles and implementation of trauma-informed services for women". Journal of Community Psychology. 33 (4): 461–477. DOI: 10.1002/jcop.20063.

Elliot writes this article to create a bridge between practice and philosophy in trauma-informed serve systems. Elliot argues it is best practice to treat everyone in a service system as a survivor of trauma to avoid retraumatization and mistreatment. The article goes through ten principles that define trauma-informed care, discusses the justification for trauma-informed care through trauma theory, empowerment theory, and relational theory. East also makes this argument by discussing specific examples of how this approach comes into practice. My organization stresses the importance of trauma-informed, survivor-centered services, so this article can provide me with the philosophy to match the actions that my organization is taking, as well as provide examples of other practices that they could implement in the future. The section of the article dedicated to the justification of trauma-informed services can also give me a broader understanding of the "needs-talk” in this sector. I can also use this article to add substance and formal philosophy to the Recovery Approach article. The article discusses vague goals such as “Hope” and “Confidence,” but East can help me add specific goals and methods for trauma recovery.

2. Case Management and Access to Services for Homeless Women

Cite: Heslin, K. C. & Andersen, R. M. & Gelberg, L. (2003). Case Management and Access to Services for Homeless Women. Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved 14(1), 34-51. Johns Hopkins University Press. Retrieved February 21, 2019, from Project MUSE database.

This article discusses research findings regarding the effects of having a case manager for homeless women of "reproductive age" in Los Angeles County. Heslin discusses the gaps in service systems and the need for case managers to help navigate the nonintegrated, inaccessible services, such as food stamps and substance abuse treatment. Heslin also argues case management would be more effective if the personal trauma histories of each client were taken into consideration when designing plans for care. Based on what I know of my organization, the work they do and the services they provide homeless women are trauma-informed, arguably leading to more effective care. My organization also engages in case management for their clients, so understanding what that looks like in other settings with homeless women can help me see the strengths and weaknesses of my organization’s approach. I can use Heslin’s assessment of mental illness, substance abuse, and homelessness as co-occurring experiences to add the effects of poverty to my W.article. The W.article discusses recovery and empowerment for survivors of mental illness and substance abuse, but the same approaches can be used to survivors of other forms of trauma, such as chronic homelessness.

3. Women, Poverty, and Trauma: An Empowerment Practice Approach

Cite: Francis East, Jean; Roll, Susan J. (2015-10). "Women, Poverty, and Trauma: An Empowerment Practice Approach: Figure 1:". Social Work. 60 (4): 279–286. doi:10.1093/sw/swv030.
East writes this piece to offer approaches to social work with diverse women that focus on empowerment. East argues for the importance of promoting personal and collective empowerment when serving women who have experienced poverty and trauma. East draws on women’s empowerment theory and relational-cultural theory to explain principles of care and service that restore agency and power to vulnerable, oppressed women. When applied to trauma-informed care, these theories result in mutually supportive and empathetic relationships, individual change, consciousness raising, understanding of the self in the context of social structures, and leadership/advocate development. My organization focuses on empowering women, so this article is useful because it offers both theories and practices for serving communities at the intersection of gender-based oppression, trauma, and poverty. I can bring women’s empowerment theory and relational-cultural theory to my W.article, specifically the sections on “Hope” and “Identity.” These are broad concepts, so East’s theories and practices can add some tangible insight to the W.article. In addition, the W.article focuses on recovery for survivors of mental illness and substance abuse, but I can integrate East’s discussion of how these issues simultaneously occur in women who have experienced extreme poverty and trauma.

4. Services to Domestic Minor Victims of Sex Trafficking: Opportunities for Engagement and Support.

Cite: Gibbs, D. A., Walters, J. L. H., Lutnick, A. Miller, S. Kluckman, M. (2015). Services to domestic minor victims of sex trafficking: opportunities for engagement and support. Children and Youth Services Review, 54, 1-7. Elseiver. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2015.04.003.

Gibbs et. al write this piece in order to evaluate the results of a study that collected data from three different programs centered on sex trafficking of minors in the United States. The two main categories the authors identify as trends in sex trafficking of minors are homeless minors selling sex for survival purposes and minors who are being emotionally manipulated by a trafficker. Childhood abuse and neglect, as well as being homeless, all increase a minor's vulnerability to sex trafficking due to the emotional deprivation and economic, material needs. Gibbs et. al argue for services that foster long-term sustainability, self-sufficiency, safety, and well-being. Gibbs et. al also emphasize the importance of creating survivor-centered services for minor survivors of sex trafficking. Considering the trauma of sexual exploitation – as well childhood abuse, family drug use, and homelessness – services that emphasize trust, safety, and predictability are crucial to facilitating effective rehabilitation. Gibbs et. al suggest strategies for support such as tangible resources, case management, mentors, and atmospheres of respect. This holistic approach is similar to my Practice experience’s method. This article shows how trauma-informed care is necessary because it addresses multiple layers of oppression and abuse simultaneously. I plan to add information from this piece as a case study for why trauma-informed care matters for vulnerable communities, such as domestic minor survivors of sex trafficking. Understanding the intersections between homelessness, poverty, and sex trafficking will prepare me for the clients my organization serves. I will also use some of these findings and conclusions in the "Survival Sex" section of my article to discuss the economic factors that can lead to sex work.

5. Shelter from the Storm: Trauma-Informed Care in Homelessness Service Settings

Cite: Hopper, E. K., Bassuk, E. L., Olivet, J. (2010). Shelter from the Storm: Trauma-Informed Care in Homelessness Services Settings. The Open Health Services and Policy Journal, 3, 80-100.

Hopper et. al write to discuss trauma-informed care in homelessness service settings based on the observation that experiencing homelessness can induce trauma in addition to other forms of trauma that are often co-occurring, such as trauma from domestic violence or psychological abuse. The authors draw from existing literature and programs that claim to implement trauma-informed care (TIC). Hopper et. al discuss their definition of trauma and TIC, with an emphasis on understanding how trauma can hinder one's ability to obtain recovery resources. In practice, Hopper et. al admit that definitions of trauma and TIC are ambiguous, which can hinder the efficacy of service settings. Hopper et. al examines six different models of TIC in homelessness service settings and initiatives state and federal governments have taken to support TIC in service settings. Especially relevant points from Hopper et. al are the fact that substance abuse and mental health need to be integrated in trauma services, children of recovering persons need to be cared for in a trauma-informed manner, and the common burnout that service providers in these emotionally intense settings can experience. There are many practical suggestions for implementing TIC that will help me understand the foundations of my PE's approach. Because trauma and TIC are nebulously defined, having an article like Hopper et. al can help me evaluate how my organization’s version of TIC works for their clients, especially since they have also experienced homelessness. For Wikipedia, this article clarifies that trauma awareness isn't the recovery process itself, but it underscores and justifies every act of recovery in service settings for vulnerable populations. The specific case studies and federal acts in support of TIC can also help me add some interesting facts to my article that give TIC credibility.

6. Developing & Implementing a Comprehensive Approach to Serving Women with Occurring Disorders and Histories of Trauma

Cite: Huntington, N., Moses, D. J. Veysey, B. M. (2005). Developing and implementing a comprehensive approach to serving women with co-occurring disorders and histories of trauma. Journal of Community Psychology, 33(4), 395-410. doi: 10.1002/jcop.20059.

Huntington et. al analyze the findings of the Women, Co-Occurring Disorders and Violence study, which was funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration in order to gather empirical data and suggest areas of improvement for trauma survivors with co-occurring disorders. Huntington et. al discuss how co-occurring disorders must be treated in an integrated manner because of their inherent links to one another. Current service systems fail to identify trauma and the interlinkages of substance abuse, mental health, and histories of abuse. Huntington et. al calls for a new approach based on service integration; trauma-informed service settings; involving the client's voice and collaboration; and providing a comprehensive array of services. My organization aims to operate in this way. I especially see their efforts at using this approach in the wide array of services they offer and their goal of giving their clients agency in their recovery process. Since the Recovery Approach Article for Wikipedia discusses mental health and substance abuse separately, this piece will help me add to my Trauma-Informed Care section and highlight how the two conditions are often interlinked. Addressing them as separate, isolated conditions can hinder the recovery process.

7. A Synthesis of the Literature on Trauma-Informed Care

Cite: Reeves, E. (2015). A Synthesis of the Literature on Trauma-Informed Care. Issues in Mental Health Nursing, 36(9), 698-709. https://doi.org/10.3109/01612840.2015.1025319.

Reeves writes to synthesize the common themes in the literature as they apply to survivors of physical and sexual abuse. Her work is relevant as I will be working with survivors of sexual exploitation. Reeves identifies five themes of trauma-informed care in the healthcare industry: barriers to trauma disclosure, the importance of trust and respect in provider-patient relationships, creating systems that minimize client stress and increase a client's autonomy, integration of services in referrals, and trauma-informed care (TIC) in a wide array of settings. Reeves's findings are based in trauma theory, which highlights the neurological impact of repressed, traumatic memories. She addresses tangible examples of TIC in healthcare systems such as skipping unnecessary procedures, allowing patients to stay dressed during examinations, creating treatment plans in collaboration, and implementing multiple methods for screening based on the survivor. Reeves highlights barriers to implementing TIC in the U.S. healthcare system such as limited provider time and crowded emergency rooms. Though I won't be working in the healthcare system with my organization, understanding tangible triggers for survivors of physical and sexual abuse can help me as a pseudo-service provider. I can add Reeve’s tangible examples of TIC to my Wikipedia article and use trauma theory to offer more justification for the implementation of TIC.

8. Envisioning a Trauma-Informed Service System: A Vital Paradigm Shift

Cite: Harris, M.; Fallot, R. D. (2001). "Envisioning a trauma-informed service system: A vital paradigm shift". New Directions for Mental Health Services. 2001 (89): 3–22. doi:10.1002/yd.23320018903.

Harris and Fallot compare traditional service delivery systems, such as hospitals, with trauma-informed services. Harris and Fallot focus especially on the role of trauma in survivors of physical and sexual abuse. Specific moves towards shifting the paradigm occurred in 1998 and 1999 when several government agencies collaborated to fund specific service delivery sites to focus on the interrelated effects of violence, substance abuse, and mental health. Harris and Fallot argue the importance of trauma screening, all-staff training, and hiring “trauma champions.” In all of these efforts, trauma-informed service systems thrive when undergoing constant review of policies and procedures. There is also an emphasis on viewing consumers/survivors/recovering persons (C/S/R) as an autonomous person with problems, not a problem themselves. The principles outlined here mirror many of the other principles highlighted in the literature on trauma-informed care as it relates to survivors of sexual abuse. All of this content gives me a deeper understanding of why my organization approaches their clients in the manner that they do, as well as why their approach might be more effective than traditional hospital or service settings. I can add details about the conditions and philosophies of trauma-informed care into my Wikipedia article.

Summarizing & Synthesizing

Area

The scholarly sources I am using for my Area research discuss the debates surrounding terms such as "sex trafficking," "human trafficking," "prostitution," "sexual exploitation," and "sex work." I am especially interested in how these terms have been defined and deployed for different contexts and actions (legal, criminal, social, etc.). Specifically, these articles focus on the US and the ways that stigma and perception regarding women involved in these spheres – forcibly or voluntarily – has changed over time. The ways these issues are defined and how women are classified as being a part of these activities or not has direct implications for the policies that are enacted to prevent sexual exploitation, correct the structures that create cycles of exploitation, and facilitate recovery and empowerment for survivors.

Sector

The sources I am using for my Sector research discuss trauma-informed care. Trauma-informed care relates to the ways in which services are delivered to survivors and recovering persons from histories of forms of substance abuse, mental illness, or physical exploitation. The practices discussed in these articles allow organizations and service providers facilitate the most effective and sustainable recovery and empowerment. These practices are grounded in relationships, collaboration, full information, and enhancing the agency to the survivors. In addition to describing what trauma-informed care looks like and values, these articles also discuss how these practices historically developed in theory and practice.

Drafting

Key: Bold = Existing Text; Regular = Intended Additions

Area: Sex Trafficking

Section: Common Misconceptions [added to mainspace]

Sex trafficking is also commonly conflated with non-coerced sex work criminalized as prostitution. These misconceptions often stem from underreporting of trafficking because of the survivors fear of their trafficker, ever-changing legal definitions of what qualifies as sex trafficking and prostitution, and conflicting feminist views of trafficking and sex work. In addition, some researchers argue that the main research that underscores these debates is flawed for leaving sex workers and survivors of sex trafficking out of the conversation. Other scholars argue the two are commonly conflated because of the inherent link between volitional prostitution and sex trafficking. Those who argue this believe that commercial sex increases the demand for sexual services and consequently increases sex trafficking. MOVED: [Some anti-sex trafficking programs and initiatives have been criticised for contributing to these misconceptions because they give giving non-trafficked sex workers incentives to identify as victims of trafficking, such as gaining to gain access to resources such as like shelters. Law enforcement agencies have been criticised for providing similar incentives because they threaten them suspected prostitutes with jail time if they admit they are working by choice, while those who claim they are trafficking victims get training workshops and social services instead of jail time. Such policies, though beneficial to actual trafficking victims, inflate reported rates of trafficking.]

Many feminist scholars conflict on their view of trafficking and sex work. There are two dominant frameworks that demonstrate the divide: academic anti-prostitution scholars and prostitution abolitionist activists the abolitionist discourse, which derives from dominance feminist theory, and the sex work discourse. A minority ofFeminist scholars in the abolitionist discourse argue that all prostitution is coerced due to the prevalence of Compulsory heterosexuality and social and economic pressures stemming from Neoliberalism and patriarchy. These arguments frame women as victims of sexual slavery and attribute male sexuality as the problem. These arguments are The abolitionist discourse is often at odds with the sex work discourse, which views of sex workers as autonomous, entrepreneurial workers work independently, or or work consensually with third parties such as brothels and club owners, who see the higher remuneration and flexibility of sexual labor as preferable to poorer paying and inflexible mainstream employment where they are subject to sexual harassment and assault by male employers and colleagues. Further, this view sees sex work as a means of survival given the unequal distribution of wealth and poverty, as well as a result of structural factors such as racism, classism, and sexism, not just as a result of men's sexuality and lust. On the abolitionist side of the debate, a number of activist organizations seek to provide services to trafficking victims, lobby for anti-trafficking legislation, and generally raise public awareness about sex-trafficking. These activists often advocate for the criminalization of voluntary sex work as well. sex work that is consensual. On the sex work discourse side of the debate, advocates argue for reduced stigmatization of prostitution, improved working conditions, and accessible social services. Some extreme advocates on this side of the debate lobby for decriminalization of prostitution since it is viewed as a legitimate, autonomous choice of profession.

Some third-way feminist scholars combine aspects of both frameworks to create new theoretical lenses for viewing sex trafficking and prostitution. Third-way frameworks affirm that sex trafficking and prostitution are forms of sex-based domination and exploitation, however they also allow room for a diverse array of women's experiences with these industries. Under this framework, neither sex trafficking nor prostitution are monolithic issues and often intersect with other forms of oppression but can also involve autonomous choices. This theoretical lens advocates for reform of police investigation and prostitution, increased availability of labor and social services outside of sex work to decrease the likelihood of entering either industry, and including women's voices in conversations regarding intervention.

These misconceptions often lead to law enforcement misidentifying sex trafficking as prostitution and vice versa.

Section: Defining the Issue >> United States [added to mainspace]

After members of Prostitutes Anonymous who were survivors of modern domestic sex trafficking spent 13 years doing TV, radio, public appearances, news interviews, etc. and calling out that this country needed to "'do something' about it" – an internationally recognized definition for sex trafficking was finally established with the Trafficking Act of 2000. It was during the same year the Palermo Protocol was enacted, the United States passed the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Victims Protection Act of 2000 (TVPA) to clarify the previous confusion and discrepancies in regards to the criminalizing guidelines of human trafficking. Through this act, sex trafficking crimes were defined as a situation where in which a "commercial sex act is induced by force, fraud, or coercion, or in which the person induced to perform such act has not attained 18 years of age."[ADD CITATION]. If the victim is a child under the age of 18 no force, fraud, or coercion needs to be proven based on this legislation. Susan Tiefenbrun, a professor at the Thomas Jefferson School of Law who has written extensively on human trafficking, conducted research on the victims addressed in this act and discovered that each year more than two million women throughout the world are bought and sold for sexual exploitation. In order to clarify previous legal inconsistencies in regards to youth and trafficking, the United States took legal measures to define more varieties of exploitive situations in relation to children. The two terms they defined and focused on were "commercial sexual exploitation of children" and "domestic minor sex trafficking." Commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC) is defined as "encompassing several forms of exploitation, including pornography, prostitution, child sex tourism, and child marriage." Domestic minor sex trafficking (DMST) is a term that represents a subset of CSEC situations that have "the exchange of sex with a child under the age of 18, who is a United States (US) citizen or permanent resident, for a gain of cash, goods, or anything of value.".

According to ECPAT USA, the average age of entry into street prostitution is between 12 and 14 years old. The demographic of street prostitutes range from poor women, kids, ethnic minorities, and immigrants. In today's culture, pimps and prostitutes are being glamorized in the media (Frundt). This is extremely dangerous as it constructs a falsified reality of what the sex trafficking industry is really like. In the United States, sex traffickers and pimps often find their victims in malls or on the streets. Sometimes vulnerable looking girls will be abducted while walking to their cars if they look distracted and are alone., and Other times the pimps will go up to a victim and convince them to leave with them, often offering a job of some kind and money. Vulnerability increases when girls are young or homeless. Emotional and physical coercion is used in order for the victim to trust the pimp and build a relationship.[ADD CITATION] This coercion often makes the relationships between trafficker and trafficked and pimp and prostitute difficult to identity.A lot of times, Often, the victims are tricked into thinking they will have freedom in the work they are promised along with a large sum of money. However, what ends up happening is they become, but instead, they become a sex slave. After the victim has agreed to the pimp's offer, they are forced into not forcibly dissuaded from leaving by forcing addictive drugs, with-holding money and physical/sexual abuse. Girls are often motivated by finances and basic survival. It is very common in the United States for pimps to own a business or store, especially nail salons and massage parlors. It is also very common for sex slavery businesses to be conducted near U.S. military bases, because of the business soldiers bring.

Section: Profile and modus operandi of traffickers >> Survival Sex [added to mainspace]

On a global scale, some scholars argue that the unequal distribution of wealth is a strong causal factor for sex commerce. On an individual scale, economic vulnerability, poverty, and homelessness can increase one's propensity to engage in sex work. Limited education, limited mobility, and a history of physical and emotional abuse or family drug use can also increase the likelihood of turning to sex as a means of survival. Engaging in sex work in order to In survival sex, the victim is not necessarily controlled by another person but feels they have to perform sexual acts in order to obtain basic commodities for subsistence is often labeled "survival sex." In these situations, selling sex as a commodity is an economic strategy for survival needs or an income. In addition to money, persons engaging in survival sex may trade sexual favors for food, shelter, or drugs. Those who are at a higher risk of survival sex include runaways, homeless, foster kids, orphans, and migrant workers. The most reported A significant amount of cases cases are the are from homeless youth that perform sexual acts for shelter or a place to sleep. Within the youth experiences of survival sex, 8.1% of females, males, and transgender are victims. Those who perform the trafficking include immediate family, boyfriends, employers, and strangers. Among those youth, some studies show that survival sex is more prevalent for youth runaways living on the street compared to those living in shelters. Some scholars argue engaging in survival sex is a way to achieve equality of opportunity when other economic opportunities are limited.

Section: Anti-sex trafficking efforts >> In the United States [added to mainspace]

Towards the end of President Clinton's administration, Congress passed the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000 (TVPA), intended to fight human trafficking globally. Under the George W. Bush Administration, fighting sex trafficking within the scope of TVPA specifically sex slavery worldwide and domestically became a priority, framing human trafficking and sex trafficking as modern-day slavery. with average of $100 million spent per year, which substantially outnumbers the amount spent by other countries. Before President Bush took office. Once George W. Bush took office in 2001, restricting sex trafficking became one of his primary humanitarian efforts. The Attorney General under President Bush, John Ashcroft, strongly enforced the TVPA. The TVPA intends to strengthen services to victims of violence human trafficking and sex trafficking, increase law enforcement's ability to prosecute traffickers by incentivizing survivors to cooperate in the prosecution, to reduce violence against women and children, increase education about against human trafficking, and train law enforcement to identify human trafficking. Also specified in the TVPA also has a mandate to collect funds for the treatment of sex trafficking victims that provided them with shelter, food, education, and financial grants. Internationally, the TVPA sets standards for other countries to follow that governments of other countries must follow in order to receive aid from the U.S. to fight human trafficking. TPVA also establishes two stipulations an applicant has can to meet in order to receive the benefits of a T-Visa. First, a trafficked victim must prove/admit to being trafficked, and second, must submit to prosecution of his or her trafficker. While providing incentives for survivors of trafficking to assist in the prosecution process, some scholars see these incentives as invalidating as they force the burden of proof to fall on the victim. An example of an alternative can be found in Connecticut, where there are safe harbor laws for minor victims of sex trafficking. These laws provide immunity to the survivors and shifts the burden of proof away from the individual. In general, incentivizing survivor cooperation in the prosecution process can be helpful considering the emotional manipulation and perceived romantic attachment that often stop survivors from accusing their traffickers or seeking help. After TPVA's initial implementation, several agencies and task forces were created. The Act has also undergone multiple revisions and authorizations. In February of 2000, the Department of Justice established a Trafficking in Persons and Worker Exploitation Task Force hotline that increased the amount of trafficking cases that were opened and investigated. In 2001, the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons was established. In both 2001 and 2003, new criminal statues were added to TVPA to make it easier to prosecute traffickers. In 2003, TPVA was amended to provide access to civil remedies to trafficking cases to reduce a survivor's reliance on the criminal justice system. The Act was reauthorized in 2003, 2005, 2008, and 2013. In 2011, Congress failed to re-authorize the Act. The State Department publishes an annual Trafficking in Persons Report (TIP Reports), which examines the progress that the U.S. and other countries have made in destroying human trafficking businesses, arresting the traffickers kingpins, and rescuing supporting the victims..

On the state level, sex trafficking legislation varies in terms of definitions and approaches. California sex trafficking legislation offers legal protection for women so they can make choices outside the criminal justice system and pursue civil remedies. California legislation also offers case worker privileges in sex trafficking cases. In Connecticut, in addition to safe harbor laws for minor victims of sex trafficking, there is also an emphasis on educating employees in the hotel industry to identify sex trafficking. The logic is that since trafficking activities often happen in hotels, employees need to be able to identify and report these occurrences. There are also arguments that the hotel industry needs to be offered incentives to report sex trafficking since they benefit financially from having guests in their hotels. Another provision in Connecticut's sex trafficking legislation is increased punishment for purchasers of sex.

Sector: Recovery Approach

Section: Elements of Recovery >> Connectedness and Supportive Relationships [added to mainspace]

A common aspect of recovery is said to be the presence of others who believe in the person's potential to recover and who stand by them. According to Relational Cultural Theory as developed by Jean Baker Miller, recovery requires mutuality and empathy in relationships. The theory states this requires relationships that embody respect, authenticity, and emotional availability. Supportive relationships can also be made safer through predictability and avoiding shaming and violence. While mental health professionals can offer a particular limited kind of relationship and help foster hope, relationships with friends, family and the community are said to often be of wider and longer-term importance. Case managers can play the role of connecting recovering persons to services that the recovering person may have limited access to, such as food stamps and medical care. Others who have experienced similar difficulties, who may be on and are on a journey of recovery, can also play a role in establishing a community and combating a recovering person's feelings of isolation. In practice, this can be accomplished through one on one interviews with other recovering persons, engaging in communal story circles, or peer-led support groups. Those who share the same values and outlooks more generally (not just in the area of mental health) may also be particularly important. It is said that one-way relationships based on being helped can actually be devaluing and potentially retraumatizing, thus reciprocal relationships and mutual support networks can be of more value to self-esteem and recovery.

Section: Elements of Recovery >> Empowerment and building a secure base [added to mainspace]

Building a positive culture of healing is essential in the recovery approach. Since recovery is not synonymous with cure, Since recovery can be a long process, a strong supportive network is required. Appropriate housing, a sufficient income, freedom from violence, and adequate access to health care have also been proposed as important tools to empowering someone and increasing their self-sufficiency.. It has been suggested that home (housing first) is where recovery may begin. Housing services, if required, need to flexibly involve people and to build on individuals' personal visions and strengths, instead of "placing" and potentially "re-institutionalizing" people. Empowerment and self-determination are said to be important to recovery for reducing the social and psychological effects of stress and trauma. Women's Empowerment Theory suggests that recovery from mental illness, substance abuse, and trauma requires helping survivors understand their rights so they can increase their capacity to make choices. This can mean developing develop the confidence for independent assertive decision making and help-seeking which translates into proper medication and active self care practices. Achieving social inclusion and overcoming challenging social stigma and prejudice about mental distress/disorder/difference is also an important part of empowerment. Advocates of Women's Empowerment Theory argue it is important to recognize that a recovering person's view of self is perpetuated by stereotypes and combating those narratives. Empowerment according to this logic requires reframing a survivor's view of self and the world. This may require recovering detached social skills and identity, making up for gaps in work history for better self-management, etc. In practice, empowerment and building a secure base require mutually supportive relationships between survivors and service providers, identify a survivor's existing strengths, and an awareness of the survivor's trauma and cultural context.

Section: Concepts of recovery >> Working title of new section: Trauma-Informed Recovery ((place after "Recovery from substance dependence")) **New section necessary because article only focuses on mental health and substance dependence, but the elements of recovery listed – connectedness and supportive relationships, hope, identity, formation of healthy coping strategies and meaningful internal schema, empowerment and building a secure base – are present in trauma-informed care and recovery. Further, trauma-informed care deals with substance abuse and mental health in an integrated manner.**

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Trauma-Informed care is a philosophy for recovery that combines the conditions and needs of people recovering from mental illness and/or substance abuse into one framework. This framework combines all of the elements of the Recovery Approach and adds an awareness of trauma. Advocates of trauma-informed care argue the principles and strategies should be applied to individuals experiencing mental illness, substance dependence, and trauma as these three often occur simultaneously or as result of each other. The paradigms surrounding trauma-informed care began to shift in 1998 and 1999. In 1998, the Center for Mental Health Services, the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, and the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention collaborated to fund 14 sites to develop integrated services in order to address the interrelated effects of violence, mental health, and substance abuse. In 1999, the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors passed a resolution recognizing the impact of violence and trauma and developed a toolkit of resources fo the implementation of trauma services in state mental health agencies. Trauma-informed care has been supported in academia as well. Scholars claim that neglecting the role of trauma in a person's story can interfere with recovery in the form of misdiagnosis, inaccurate treatment, or retraumatization. Some principles of trauma-informed care include validating survivor experiences and resiliency, aiming to increase a survivor's control over her/his/their recovery, creating atmospheres for recovery that embody consistency and confidentiality, minimizing the possibilities of triggering past trauma, and integrating survivors/recovering persons in service evaluation. In practice, trauma-informed care has shown to be most effective when every participant in a service providing context to be committed to following these principles. In addition, these principles can apply to all steps of the recovery process within a service providing context, including outreach and engagement, screening, advocacy, crisis intervention, and resource coordination. The overall goal in trauma-informed care is facilitating healing and empowerment using strengths-based empowerment practices and a comprehensive array of services that integrate co-occurring disorders and the multitude of needs a recovering person might have, such as drug treatment, housing, relationship building, and parenting support.

These approaches are in contrast to traditional care systems. Advocates of trauma-informed care critique traditional service delivery systems, such as standard hospitals, for failing to understand the role of trauma in a patients life. Traditional service delivery systems are also critiqued for isolating the conditions of a recovering person and not addressing conditions such as substance abuse and mental illness simultaneously as part of one source. Specific practices in traditional service delivery systems, such as unnecessary procedures, undressing for examinations, involuntary hospitalizations, crowded emergency rooms, and limited time for providers to meet with patients, have all been critiqued as insensitive to persons recovering from trauma and consequential mental illness or substance abuse. Limited resources and time in the United States healthcare system can make the implementation of trauma-informed care difficult.

There are other challenges to trauma-informed care besides limits in the United States healthcare system that can make trauma-informed care ineffective for treating persons recovering from mental illness or substance dependence. Advocates of trauma-informed care argue implementation requires a strong commitment from leadership in an agency to train staff members to be trauma-aware, but this training can be costly and time-consuming. "Trauma-informed care" and "trauma" also have contested definitions and can be hard to measure in a real world service setting. Another barrier to trauma-informed care is the necessity of screening for histories of trauma. While agencies need to screen for histories of trauma in order to give the best care, there can be feelings of shame and fear of being invalidated that can prevent a recovering person from disclosing their personal experiences.