An overview of the topic of sexual exploitation of children and sex trafficking, and how to engage with foster youth and at-risk populations. Trafficking risks within child welfare involved youth will be explored from a systems perspective which conceptualizes vulnerability in the context of societal supports such as mental health care, education and economic systems, and the accessibility of services. Participants will have the opportunity to identify trafficking risk factors and warning signs, learn how to reduce risk and safety issues with foster youth, approaches to intervention and how to engage with survivors from an empowerment framework, and how to get help with resources for support.

Presenters:
Dr. Elizabeth Bowman, PhD, LICSW, LCSW-C
Assistant Professor, Department of Social Work, Gallaudet University. She is also a minor domestic sex trafficking survivor, anti-trafficking advocate, mother of two teens, researcher, clinician, and speaker. At her clinical practices she works with trafficking survivors using trauma-informed yoga group therapy and also supports youth with anxiety and other challenges. She holds clinical social work licensure in DC and Maryland and is a Registered Yoga Teacher. Her research areas include the intersection of child welfare and sex trafficking, child welfare oversight, and special populations issues in trafficking, LGBT, foster youth, and Deaf youth.

Liz Kimbel
Lived Experience Expert and Survivor Leader, and Program Specialist, at the Survivor-led non-profit organization, The Restoring Ivy Collective. Also, a Survivor Advocate for the Global Center on Human Trafficking at Montclair State University. She has dedicated a decade of professional experience in program development, policy, media, training, public prevention education, and public speaking. In addition to her work, Liz is also a full-time wife and mom, a part-time starving artist, an avid coffee consumer, utterly musically obsessed, and an adventurer.

Volunteers are required to take 12hrs of ISTs within 12months. ISTs help you become an effective advocate for your child &/or youth.