This presentation will examine familial exploitation from a family-system perspective. Take a deep dive into the behavioral indicators, family dynamics, and offender characteristics that contribute to family-controlled exploitation. Exploitation of this kind involves family members selling their minor children for money, drugs, or something else of value (e.g., access, prestige, or recreation) and typically includes manufacturing of child sex abuse material. Families who exploit their children commercially often have adversities, dysfunctions, and disorders that create a household dynamic of coercion and secrecy, making identification and intervention extremely difficult. These children often attend school, church, and other community functions, but go unnoticed as needing assistance. Exploitation of this kind causes severe psychological trauma, negatively impacting the individual throughout their lifespan. While identification is difficult, it is not impossible. Join this session for a closer look at familial exploitation, examine key identifiers, and discuss intervention strategies throughout the lifespan.
Trigger Warning: This presentation contains information (written, spoken, or visual) that may be triggering or (re)traumatizing to attendees.
PLEASE NOTE: This session will not be available to watch as an on-demand recording.
Alicia Cohen is a familial exploitation survivor and educational diagnostician specializing in identification and intervention of young children. She holds a Master’s in Special Education and is pursuing an EdS in School Psychology. In 2019, she established SAFE to further research, provide community for survivors, and develop survivor-informed resources.