About my services addressing human trafficking

SPECIALTIES

I am a board-certified clinical sexologist. I specialize in two areas. One is transgender care, and the other is human trafficking. These two areas may seem opposites, but they are not. Both populations are vulnerable. This section covers human trafficking.

INTERSECTIONS BETWEEN HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND CRIMINALIZATION

Human trafficking can and has led to the incarceration of innocent people and resulted in lifelong criminal records. Efforts are in force to address expunging records that have prevented survivors from moving forward with their lives. Trafficking Survivors Relief Act of 2024 was a bill introduced by Senators Kirsten Gillibrand, D-NY, and Robert Portman, R-OH, to help survivors rebuild their lives.

Read more about this effort here.

DO NOT JUDGE UNTIL YOU HAVE WALKED IN THE SHOES OF A SURVIVOR.

SURVIVORS CAN BE ANYONE AT ANY GIVEN TIME ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD.

EXPERIENCE COUNTS

Previously, I served as a volunteer consultant to meet with a trans youth at the Policy Center and worked with two therapists to modify their training manual for the Open Doors Outreach Network and covering several programs. 

The Policy Center offers training, some of which I have taken. I completed a requisite course of study, the Florida Girl-Centered Practice Certificate Program, through Georgetown University's Center for Juvenile Justice Reform. 

I also completed training from Toledo University's Dr. Celia Williamson's Best Life Human Trafficking Prevention Curriculum for At-Risk Girls Course & Certification.

The numerous trainings and webinars I've attended enriched my journey into youth advocacy. Each session, led by experts and the survivors, has added a layer of understanding and empathy to my work. I cannot overstate the value of these experiences in shaping my professional identity. I cannot say enough about the experts who are the survivors.

I am grateful to the researchers, police, advocates, and professionals committed to this work who made it possible to shape me into who I am today. 

TEACHING

I offer human trafficking training workshops. If interested, check out Therapy Certification Training. 

WHAT I DO NOT DO

I do not take credit for this work. 

WHAT I DO

I do reimburse survivors to speak to my students. The survivors are the experts who can talk about their experiences that help professionals understand their lived experience.

I do my best to involve professionals from the field to present to the students drawing from their work experience, training, and expertise. These individuals have been police, former FBI, counselors, therapists and those in public health among a number of other experts.

THE BRIDGE THAT LED TO WHERE I AM TODAY

Almost a decade ago, a mutual friend introduced me to Dr. Lawanda Ravoira, who founded the Delores Barr Weaver Policy Center. Dr. Ravoira, President Emeritus, advanced girls' rights in the juvenile justice system. Read more about Dr. Lawanda Ravoira  here. Dr. Lawanda Ravoira served as one of my committee members while I worked on a research project on sex trafficking.

Dr. Inderjit Vicky Basra, the current CEO and President of the Delores Barr Weaver Policy Center, opened my eyes to the critical difference between Stockholm Syndrome and trauma bonding. I incorporate this as part of the education I do throughout my daily activities and don't just reserve it for teaching. Read more about Dr. Interjit Vicky Basra here.

WHAT SERVICES I DO OFFER

I enjoy collaborating and teaching—my services center on advocating for survivors of human trafficking, Child Sexual Exploitation Material and Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children.

I have a strong background in developing policies, procedures, and training manuals for employees, volunteers, and contract personnel who are most likely to be in contact with or work with survivors. I also do research, and my project for my doctoral degree was in sex trafficking.

https://www.therapycertificationtraining.org

Continuous Professional Development