Juanita Headley shares a deeply personal and thought-provoking journey into the world of human trafficking and child sexual abuse, intertwining her lived experiences with the harsh realities of exploitation. She begins by exploring the concept of "currency"—not in terms of money, but as vulnerabilities that traffickers exploit. Through the harrowing case of a young victim targeted by an online predator, Juanita highlights how traffickers identify and manipulate individual weaknesses to exert control. She then delves into the grooming process, explaining how perpetrators prepare their victims—whether through manipulation, coercion, or brute force. Drawing on real-life cases, she illustrates the calculated patience of traffickers and the psychological tactics they use to entrap their victims. In a raw and personal revelation, Juanita recounts her own experience of childhood sexual abuse and the long-term effects it had on her sense of self-worth and trust. She connects her story to the broader issue of victim grooming, showing how traffickers exploit past trauma to create a cycle of abuse. Juanita concludes with a powerful call to action—urging professionals to recognize the signs of grooming and trafficking, respond effectively to disclosures, and understand their own vulnerabilities. She provides practical recommendations on safeguarding strategies, trauma-informed responses, and how communities can work together to disrupt exploitation. Her presentation is a compelling educational tool that equips attendees with the knowledge needed for advocacy, intervention, and prevention in their professional fields.
Trigger Warning: This presentation contains information (written, spoken, or visual) that may be triggering or (re)traumatizing to attendees.
Juanita Headley is a New York-licensed attorney, international speaker, and anti-human trafficking advocate with over a decade of experience in victim advocacy, legal aid, and human rights education. She has trained law enforcement, NGOs, and government agencies worldwide, specializing in trauma-informed approaches to combatting human trafficking, sexual exploitation, and gender-based violence.