This presentation will be on sex and labor trafficking of individuals with Intellectual Developmental Disabilities (IDD) and their vulnerability to traffickers. Risk factors, signs of victimization, trauma, and prevention will be discussed. Attendees will learn how human trafficking affects individuals with IDD physically and behaviorally. Presenters will assist attendees in how to develop and establish protocols and supports within the DD system. They will also discuss how to implement community integration in a safe and playful manner to protect our individuals from labor trafficking. The session will also cover some labor trafficking stories in order to protect the DD population from employers who have immoral practices. Cases will be discussed based on real life experiences and factual data gathered from Disability Right Ohio research. Presenters will also utilize a Disability Fact Sheets and a powerful video called “The Boys of Atalissa”. Attendees will take away how their individual vulnerabilities have made them targets in the United States as well as overseas.
Pat Stephens is a Director at the Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities (DD). She has eight years of mental health experience and 24 years in the DD field. Pat is a member of the Lucas County Human Trafficking Coalition and is involved with The PATH Project through the Human Trafficking and Social Justice Institute at The University of Toledo.
Steve Mentrek has his OCALI Master’s in Recreation Therapy and Leisure Administration and 15 years of experience in the DD field. Steve is involved in assisting victims of trafficking to feel safe, remove barriers, and identify limitations.