Post Responses SOCW 6051 and SOCW 6351 - Week 11 Discussion 1

SOCW 6051 Week 11 Discussion 1:

My Initial discussion post is as follows:

The website https://www.udayton.edu/artssciences/ctr/hrc/abolition_ohio/index.php talks about partnership with members of community and organization towards anti-human trafficking in Ohio by preventing human trafficking, protecting victims and survivors, and prosecuting the criminals through creating awareness, research and education across the country (University of Dayton, n.d.). It accomplishes this through a program known as School Trafficking Outreach Program- STOP. STOP aims at creating awareness and education on human trafficking prevention. It educates youths, members of the community and school personnel through engaging and comprehensive anti-human trafficking program. It distributes STOP materials across high schools in the Miami Valley. The victim service matrix helps law enforcement and service providers working with victims in this region (University of Dayton, n.d.). The listed organizations and agencies help legally and in life skill training. It also has a wide variety of resources on anti-human trafficking ranging from audio to governmental agencies.

From the information I have found, I would support Veronica and other victims of human trafficking by listening to them as this will help them understand that I am willing to help. The victims may not open up immediately therefore, I would not be judgmental or pressure them. Most importantly, I would avoid blaming the victim.

I would increase my awareness of human trafficking by learning indicators of human trafficking through training which is available to educators (Plummer, et al., 2014). Also, I would teach others about human trafficking through an event that aims at raising awareness, for example, watching a documentary on sex trafficking and discussing the film. To become an ally with the victims, I would volunteer in anti-human trafficking groups in society. I would also learn about the culture of these victims as well as become aware of the oppression they faced.

To support this group of victims, I would take the following steps. First, I would learn about the red flags ad be vigilant of signs of human trafficking (Adams, et al., 2018). I would then initiate a private conversation and let go of any expectations I have. I would also believe the person and build on their strengths. Taking their fears seriously and validating their feelings is another step. Importantly, let the victim open up when they feel comfortable to do so.

 

References

Adams, M., Blumenfeld, W. J., Castaneda, C., Catalano, D. C. J., DeJong, K., Hackman, H. W,... Zuniga, X. (Eds.). (2018). Readings for diversity and social justice (4th ed.). New York, NY: Routledge Press. Ch 90, pp. 447-455; Ch 132, pp.615-620.

Plummer, S.-B., Makris, S., & Brocksen S. M. (Eds.). (2014). Social work case studies: Foundation year. Baltimore, MD: Laureate International Universities Publishing. [Vital Source e-reader].

University of Dayton. (n.d.) “Anti-Human Trafficking in the Miami Valley.” Retrieved from: https://www.udayton.edu/artssciences/ctr/hrc/abolition_ohio/index.php

The assignment is as follows:

Respond to colleagues who visited a different site and note similarities and differences between what you had learned and what your colleagues had shared about steps for becoming an ally to that group. Explain the impact of what your colleagues shared in their post.

The Colleagues posts are as follows:

Colleague AH Wrote:

I visited a website with an article titled Human Trafficking: Modern Enslavement of Immigrant Women in the United States. It discussed how the inequalities that women face in regard to status and opportunity worldwide make them particularly vulnerable to trafficking. Human trafficking not only includes the sex trade, but also forced labor such as domestic servitude, factory work, or agricultural work (ACLU, 2019). Also, in the United States, victims of trafficking are made up of a majority of immigrant women due to lower levels of education, inability to speak English, immigration status, and lack of familiarity with U.S. employment protections (ACLU, 2019). They are often exploited through physical, psychological and legal process abuse. Victims are often deprived of adequate shelter and sleep, are subjected to patterns of abuse that are meant to cause fear and disorientation, and legal mechanisms can be used to enforce control such as deprivation of identification documents. 

When looking at the case of Veronica, she was a victim of sex trafficking crimes while in Guatemala, but also while crossing the border into the United States (Plummer, Makris, & Brocksen, 2014). Because she does not speak English, was young, and was an immigrant attempting to cross over the border into an unknown country, she was particularly vulnerable according to the information I found on ACLU (2019). Supporting those who are immigrants and victims of human trafficking would include having knowledge on the available legal reliefs there are such as T Visas or asylum relief. This would help to ensure they receive the assistance they need in regard to benefits and services. Having empathy and patience with victims can also be another way to support them as they may not be trusting or willing to open up. 

Increasing one's awareness and teaching others about human trafficking victims is crucial in being able to effectively help. Education on indicators or warning signs is probably one of the more important ways to increase awareness. Teaching that human trafficking does not just include the sex trade, but also forced labor would be crucial as the majority of people hear human trafficking and automatically think of sex trafficking. Opportunities to get involved and become an ally to those who have been trafficked include volunteering for anti-trafficking organizations as well as being an advocate for justice, services, and funding. Steps to begin to support these victims building trust and understanding their realities as most of us will never know what it is like to be in their shoes and to have experienced the horrendous trauma they did. Having the skills to effectively support them is also essential as well as having the courage to take action (Adams, et al, 2018).

Resources:

Adams, M., Blumenfeld, W. J., Castaneda, C., Catalano, D. C. J., DeJong, K., Hackman, H. W,... Zuniga, X. (Eds.). (2018). Readings for diversity and social justice (4th ed.). New York, NY: Routledge Press.

ACLU. (2019). Human Trafficking: Modern Enslavement of Immigrant Women in the United States. Retrieved from https://www.aclu.org/other/human-trafficking-modern-enslavement-immigrant-women-united-states

Plummer, S.-B., Makris, S., & Brocksen S. M. (Eds.). (2014). Social work case studies: Foundation year. Baltimore, MD: Laureate International Universities Publishing. [Vital Source e-reader].

Colleague NS Wrote:

The website I chose to visit is Interpol (interpol.int).  This is a website that addresses human trafficking (HT) on a global level.  The various topics that are addressed on this website include the types of HT, the role of this organization in addressing HT, operations that are implemented to curb HT, and, finally, partnerships against HT.  The latter points to the numerous "key partners" who are involved in the fight against HT.

An article by Zimmerman and Kiss (2017) stresses that child workers are at a particular risk of being exploited.  Thus, as a social worker I would do my best to build rapport with Veronica and other children like her.  It is noted in the case that there are no support groups in Veronica's area for victims of HT.  I was thinking about starting an online support group for children like Veronica who can connect (at least online) with other victims.  This could serve as an excellent source of support and compassion.

Furthermore, when it comes to the specific steps that I can take to support this group, I could draw up a plan that will help me to address the needs of children like Veronica.  First, I would create a list of various sources (online and offline) that Veronica could "surf" finding what is best for her.  These can include various articles, blogs, and online support groups that include other survivors like her.  Finding out more about HT is bound to strengthen her mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.  It is always a good idea to explain on a cognitive level the trauma/tragedy.  Second, I feel that support systems are essential for survivors.  Despite the strong resistance on part of some people with PTSD to establish connections, it is crucial to explain to such individuals that these connections will help them to reboot emotionally.  Which is essential to the healing process.

https://www.interpol.int/en/Crimes/Human-trafficking

Zimmerman, C., & Kiss, L. (2017).  Human trafficking and exploitation: A global health concern. Plos Medicine.

SOCW 6351 Week11 Discussion 1:

Respond by Day 5 to colleagues by explaining the various costs you think will be associated with their suggested policy changes. Then, explain whether a consideration of cost when adopting a policy or program contradicts the social workers’ code of ethics.

Support your response with specific references to the resources. Be sure to provide full APA citations for your references.

Colleague NS Wrote:

In the case of Rita, she was sexually assaulted by an acquaintance of a male coworker. Forensic evidence was collected, however, due to state policy, the evidence was only kept for 90 days, long before Rita felt confident enough to make a report (Plummer, Makris & Brocksen, 2014). The change I would make is to not have a limit placed on how long forensic evidence can be kept. As long as the evidence remains viable, evidence should be preserved. Sexual assault survivors struggle with many feelings following the assault, ranging from shame, depression to post-traumatic symptoms (Jacques-Tiura, Tkatch, Abbey & Wegner (2010). This short window prevents survivors from processing what happened to them and their feelings. It is already difficult for survivors to disclose what happened to them, and due to stigma, many do not make formal reports (Jacques-Tiura, Tkatch, Abbey & Wegner, 2010). This policy places pressure on individuals when they are already feeling vulnerable. By taking away the window that evidence can be kept, I think that it would aid in allowing survivors to not only disclose, but to do so when they are ready. With the combination of the report and forensic evidence, this allows for perpetrators to be punished accordingly.

 

References:

Jacques-Tiura, A. J., Tkatch, R., Abbey, A., & Wegner, R. (2010). Disclosure of sexual assault:

characteristics and implications for posttraumatic stress symptoms among African American and caucasian survivors. Journal of trauma & dissociation : the official journal of the International Society for the Study of Dissociation (ISSD), 11(2), 174–192. doi:10.1080/15299730903502938

Plummer, S.-B., Makris, S., & Brocksen, S. M. (Eds.). (2014). Social work case studies:   Foundation year. Baltimore: MD:       

               Laureate International Universities Publishing. [Vital        Source e-reader].

Colleague AH wrote:

In the Johnson case, Talia was sexually assaulted at a fraternity party and went to the hospital for a rape kit where she was met with staff that were "cold and demeaning" (Plummer, Makris, & Brocksen, 2014). Often times, rape myths perpetuate a situation and there can be a lack of education or bias as described by Talia with the hospital staff where they possibly blamed her for the assault or did not believe her. With this, rape myths may also perpetuate policies. In this case, the university's policy for addressing sexual assault cases affected Talia negatively. In the video, the dean had both Talia and Eric in the room together and explained that they would have the opportunity to tell their sides of the story (Laureate Education, 2013). It was also explained as being a university procedure that does not involve the police and at the end the dean would be the sole decider in the actions taken (Laureate Education, 2013). One change to this policy would be to not have them in the same room as this can re-victimize and traumatize Talia as well as not having the dean be the end decider of the outcome, but rather include the police in the investigation or other unbiased parties. The dean could attempt to cover up a potential scandal by standing with Eric and dismissing Talia's claim because the image of the school may be deemed more important than getting justice for an assault victim. 

To evaluate the success of the policy change I would evaluate the impact by measuring any changes that occurred in the outcomes. Using process evaluation, services could be examined in how they are being carried out in the new policy involving the police or other unbiased parties and then compared to the previous policy which involved the dean (Popple & Leighninger, 2019). Being able to measure the impact of the changed policy would show if it had any difference on the outcomes with the victims.  

Resources:

Plummer, S. -B., Makris, S., & Brocksen, S. (Eds.). (2014). Sessions: Case histories. Baltimore: MD: Laureate International Universities Publishing. [Vital Source e-reader].

Popple, P. R., & Leighninger, L. (2019). The policy-based profession: An introduction to social welfare policy analysis for social workers (7th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education.

Laureate Education (Producer). (2013). Sessions: Johnson family (Episode 4 of 42) [Video file]. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu