Coercive Control and Human Trafficking: A Trauma Informed Response

Registration deadline 3/21/2025

Trainer:

My name is Molly Milliken. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and have spent most of my career in service to incarcerated women. Most recently I spent 4.5 years working for the Vermont Network Against Domestic Violence’s DIVAS Program which is based inside Chittenden Regional Correctional Facility. Now, I am the Contingency Management Coordinator at the Chittenden Clinic, and I have my own private practice in Addison County, where I live. I became a social worker due to my family history of generational trauma and like many in this field, I wanted to break the cycle of violence. I believe everyone deserves to be treated with unconditional positive regard because of the complex nature of the human existence. I have my own little homestead with two horses, my dog, and three cats. Dark humor, my animals, friends and partner keep me busy yet sane. I try to take care of myself and my community and encourage others to do the same.

Description:

This training is designed to educate professionals in helping fields about the complexity of what is commonly known as human trafficking. The training elaborates on the nuances of coercive control, forced labor, exploitation and forced criminality as well as intersections between trafficking and intimate partner violence. Attendants will learn how to respond with evidence-based strategies such as harm reduction and trauma informed care. We will learn how to identify red flags and warning signs that someone may be stuck in a trafficking scenario and how to respond appropriately. We also discuss at length how helpers need to maintain effective supervision, peer support and self-care while supporting trafficking survivors. This training is relevant for those in social services, education, medicine, first responders, and many other not listed professions.

Agenda & Learning Objectives:

9:00-10:30
Welcome & Introductions-Check ins:
Exercise: Why is this training important, and why are we here?
Pre-survey
10:30 – 10:45 am-break
10:45-12:00
Objective 1: Identify and Define Trafficking
Understand the legal definitions of commercial sexual exploitation, commercial labor exploitation and forced criminality
Less understood examples
Objective 2: Identify possible exploitation factors and maintenance of power, control and loyalty- “why don’t they just leave?!”
Vignette, survivor video and small groups
Discuss supervision and self-care
12:00-1:00 Lunch
1:00-2:30
Objective 3: Identify red flags, recruiting/grooming behavior, coercive control and identify if someone is in a trafficking situation
Vignette, survivor video and small groups
Objective 4: Apply evidence based responses in order to support trafficking survivors
Trauma Informed Care and Harm Reduction
How is effective supervision and self-care relevant to possible intervention strategies?
Vignette and small groups
2:30-2:45 Break
2:45-4:30
Objective 4: How is effective supervision and self-care relevant to possible intervention strategies?
Objective 5: Refer to community resources which are available to support trafficking survivors
Maintaining trauma informed care for survivors and practitioners
4:30 pm-DONE