From Interrogation to Identification: Bridging the Gap in Intimate Partner Trafficking Response

Wed, September 23 | 1:45 PM EDT– 2:45 PM EDT

Topic: Law Enforcement, Direct Service | Knowledge Level: Intermediate

Ashley Glass (she/her)

Despite the significant overlap between domestic violence and human trafficking, survivors of intimate partner trafficking (IPT) frequently fall through the cracks of social service and legal systems. This session explores the intersectional nature of IPT through the lens of lived experience, specifically focusing on the critical moments of initial contact with law enforcement. While these interactions are often the first point of entry into the system, the lessons provided are vital for all multidisciplinary professionals—including social workers, healthcare providers, and advocates—who must identify survivors in high-stakes environments. For many survivors, these interactions can feel more like interrogations than interventions, focusing on criminal behavior rather than the coercive control at play. When professionals default to rigid questioning, they inadvertently reinforce the survivor’s defensive "Us against the World" bond with the trafficker. By examining "missed opportunities" and the trauma-informed shifts needed in communication, this presentation provides actionable strategies to move beyond standard screening. The presenter will help attendees identify "invisible tethers" and use "Bridge Questions" to lower defensive barriers. Participants will leave with a deeper understanding of the unique nuances of IPT and the specific, trust-based inquiries that foster safety rather than fear. This session equips attendees to move from "fact-finding" to "protective advocacy," providing the tools necessary to support survivors who are not yet ready to speak the truth for themselves.

Trigger Warning: This presentation contains information (written, spoken, or visual) that may be triggering or (re)traumatizing to attendees.

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Presentation Objectives

• Analyze the “Interrogation vs. Intervention” dynamic through the lens of Biderman’s Chart of Coercion
• Translate lived experience into actionable strategies by applying Dr. Jennifer Freyd’s Betrayal Trauma Theory to reframe victim “non-compliance”
• Apply a Survivor-Centered Approach to Initial Contact by using “Bridge Questioning” techniques rooted in SAMHSA’s Trauma-Informed Principles