Featured counter-trafficking program: Resiliency Interventions for Sexual Exploitation (RISE)

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Social Work
• Trauma Studies

Background:

• Child trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation (CSE) represent significant public health and child welfare issues.
• Survivors, particularly female, LGBT, and gender non-conforming (GNC) youth, require specialized support for reintegration.
• Innovative programs are crucial for addressing the complex needs of trafficking victims.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the Resiliency Interventions for Sexual Exploitation (RISE) program.
• To highlight a model for serving youth survivors of CSE and child trafficking.
• To promote awareness of effective counter-trafficking strategies.

Main Methods:

• The RISE program employs a multidisciplinary approach with community partners (MDT-Multidisciplinary Treatment Teams).
• It provides gender-specific, trauma-focused services tailored to the needs of CSE and trafficking survivors.
• Intensive case management, comprehensive outreach, and engagement are utilized.

Main Results:

• The RISE program facilitates skill development and resource acquisition for community reintegration.
• It addresses the unique challenges faced by female, LGBT, and GNC youth victims.
• The program fosters collaboration and informs outcomes research in counter-trafficking efforts.

Conclusions:

• The RISE program serves as a vital resource for youth survivors of CSE and child trafficking.
• Multidisciplinary, gender-specific, and trauma-informed interventions are effective for reintegration.
• Continued development and research of such programs are essential for combating child trafficking.