Through the lens of complex trauma and posttraumatic growth, this workshop will share findings from a qualitative study focused on the impact and experiences of sex trafficking survivors. Participants completed open-ended interviews, took photos, and participated in online focus groups to explore identity, sexuality, relationships, and factors of community reintegration. Data analysis included multi-level conceptual and thematic coding. Participants identified with all aspects of complex trauma and posttraumatic growth. Participants particularly highlighted relationship as both the primary need and greatest source of healing and growth, emphasizing the value of peer-based support and survivor leadership. The findings affirm the need for ecological and relational perspectives in care of survivors, and approaches using a trauma-informed, victim-centered lens. Findings affirm the value of understanding the nuances of complex trauma as well as celebrating the capacity for posttraumatic growth. Furthermore, while relationships are most significantly impacted from the trafficking experience, they are also considered the greatest instrument of healing, offering long-term commitment and belief in the individual. This has great implications for our work as service providers. We must consider the barriers of traditional social services that are time-limited, often with rigid boundaries in the access and interaction with service providers. We must think creatively and explore nontraditional service models that provide trafficking survivors with a relational context that includes survivors, professionals, and community members who are committed to a long-term, empowering, trauma-informed approach. This workshop will not only provide survivors’ perspective of the integral role of relationship, but opportunity to explore ways to meet this immediate and long-term need.
Dr. Heather Evans is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a group counseling practice in Pennsylvania, with over 20 years’ experience, specializing in sexual trauma. Heather has authored two books from her research on complex trauma and posttraumatic growth in sex trafficking survivors. She is Co-Founder of Valley Against Sex Trafficking.