Substances are often used in the process of recruiting, grooming, and controlling victims of human trafficking, and victims and survivors may rely on substances to cope with their victimization and other traumatic experiences. They often experience compounded stigma and shame, and may even be criminalized or penalized, facing various challenges to getting their needs appropriately met through community-based services and systems responses. Often, providers working to address substance use and providers working to respond to trafficking are siloed from one another, sometimes lacking the appropriate training and resources to properly identify, refer, and provide services to individuals. Presenters will review public health data related to drug overdoses in Minnesota and will also review data collected and analyzed from the Minnesota Student Survey showcasing which youth are most impacted by this overlapping issue, focusing on different experiences they have compared to their peers. Presenters will also use research conducted by Caroline Palmer and reviewed by Subject Matter Experts with Lived Experience in Minnesota to explore how substances are used in trafficking and how systemic barriers and service gaps impact victims and survivors’ access to adequate services and support, including opportunities to exit trafficking and exploitation and recover from addiction. Understanding how substance use, exploitation, and trafficking overlap is key to increasing proper identification of individuals at this intersection and promoting a person-centered, trauma-informed, harm-reducing, appropriate, and timely response. Presenters will share key recommendations for providers and stakeholders including examples of projects, initiatives, and approaches from Minnesota.
Trigger Warning: This presentation contains information (written, spoken, or visual) that may be triggering or (re)traumatizing to attendees.
As the Interim Supervisor of the Violence Prevention Programs Unit at the Minnesota Department of Health, Caroline Palmer provides oversight for work in the human trafficking and sexual violence prevention programs. Her recent areas of focus include the intersections of human trafficking, substance use, and forced criminality.
Sophia Maceda is the Training and Projects Coordinator with the Minnesota Department of Health Human Trafficking Prevention and Response Program. In her role, she facilitates and coordinates various trainings, muti-disciplinary meetings, and events, and manages various state projects related to human trafficking.
Shunu Shrestha is the Senior Advisor for the City of Minneapolis, leading the implementation of the City’s Blueprint on Human Trafficking and Exploitation in collaboration with internal and external stakeholders. She manages a comprehensive, enterprise-wide portfolio of work addressing human trafficking and exploitation through an intersectional and holistic approach.