Trafficking of Youth with DisabilitiesWhat Human Trafficking Service Providers Need to Know 

Presented by 

Jody Haskin, MA, Program Director, IOFA 
Jae Jin Pak, Self Advocate, Project 
Coordinator, IOFA 

International Organization for Adolscents (IOFA) logo

Meet the Presenters 

Jae Jin Pak and Jody Haskin, two portraits, smiling
Jae Jin Pak Jody Haskin 

Project Coordinator Program Director 

International Organization for International Organization for 
Adolescents (IOFA) Adolescents (IOFA) 


The Trafficking of Youth with Disabilities 
Outreach & Education Project 

► International Organization for Adolescents (IOFA) 
► National Human Trafficking & Disabilities Working Group (NHTDWG) 


Logos for IOFA, NHTDWG, and the National Resource Center for reaching Victims
This project was produced by the International Association for Adolescents under award #2016XV-
GX-K015, awarded by the Office for Victims of Crime, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. 
Department of Justice. The opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in 
this project are those of the contributors and do not necessarily represent the official positions or 

policies of the U.S. Department of Justice. 


Learning Objectives 

Participants will gain: 

► Increased understanding of the role of a human trafficking 
provider serving youth with disabilities 
► Increased awareness of disabilities 
► Improved ability to identify and support potential or 
confirmed youth survivors of human trafficking with disabilities 
► Increased understanding of the intersection between human 
trafficking and disability 



Why do human 
trafficking 
providers need 
to learn about 
youth with 
disabilities? 

Two white girls picking and smelling flowers

Youth, Children, & Minors 

White male pushing a black male in a wheelchair and One white woman supporting a white, female teenager to use the computer

The Reality 

A white, female child sitting at a table, smiling at the camera in front of a window
Children with disabilities 
are at least three times 
more likely to be abused 
or neglected than their 
peers without disabilities1 

1Lund, E. M., & Vaughn-Jensen, J. (2012). 
Victimisation of children with 

disabilities. The Lancet, (380)9845, 867-869. 


What Do You Know About Disability? 
True or False? 

Please reply to the following statement as True or False: 

STATEMENT 1 

In the United States, the term “disability” has a clear definition that is 
used across all disability service organizations, government agencies 
and policies and within cultures. 

ANSWER: 

FALSE – There are several definitions and understanding on what 
qualifies as a disability and approaches to providing services. 


What Do You Know About Disability? 
Part 2 
True or False? 

Please reply to the following statement as True or False: 

STATEMENT 2 

All youth with a disability are required to take social classes, such as 
sex ed in school 

ANSWER: 

FALSE – Youth who participate in special education classes are 
often overlooked for classes on relationships and sex education 


What Do You Know About Youth Trafficking? 

Part 3 

True or False? 

Please reply to the following statement as True or False: 

STATEMENT 3 

Some youth with a disability do not know they have a disability – whether 
they’ve been diagnosed or not. 

ANSWER: 

TRUE – Some youth do not know they have a disability. 


How do we define disability? 

The ADA is the legal way to define disability. 

► Physical or mental impairment that substantially limits 
one or more major life activity 
► Record of impairment 
► Is regarded as having an impairment 



How do we define disability? 

This is NOT the only way to 
define disability.

The social model of disability 
considers the role our attitudes 
and inaccessibility have on 
functional differences.1 

1Thomas, P., Gradwell, L., & Markham, N. (n.d.). Defining impairment within the social model of 
disability. 




Medical Model of Disability 

Physical & Mobility 

● Movement is functionally limited 
● May use a mobility device (cane,
wheelchair, walker) 
● Examples: amputation, paralysis 


Medical Model of Disability 

Sensory Impairment 

● One or more senses are 
functionally limited 
● May use an adaptive device 
(glasses, hearing aid) 
● Examples: blindness, Deaf 



Medical Model of Disability 

Developmental & Intellectual 

● Physicality, learning, behavior, or 
communication may be functionally 
limited 
● Needs will vary 
● Examples: cerebral palsy, Autism 


Medical Model of Disability 

Mental & Emotional 
● Functional limitations vary 
● Needs will vary according to impairments 
● Examples: mood, eating, 
personality, or behavioral 
disorders 


Why are youth with disabilities at higher risk for trafficking? 

Graphic: Able-bodied = authority; social powerlessness and isolation; and myths an stereotypes
Able-bodied = 
Authority 
Social 
Powerlessness 
& Isolation 
Myths &
Stereotypes 

Risk Factor: Gaps in Education 

Graphic: Personal Safety, Online Safety, Healthy Relationships, Human Trafficking, Legal Rights, and Value of Labor 
Personal Safety Online Safety HealthyRelationships 
Human 
Trafficking Legal Rights Value of Labor 
Risk Factor: Supports 

Graphic: Communication, Assistive/Mobility Devices,Personal Care, Educational, Housing, and Benefits 
Communication Assistive/Mobility 
Devices Personal Care 
Educational Housing Benefits 
Traffickers Can Be Anyone 

Case 
Example: 

Interfamilial 
Trafficking 

Two photos of the same white woman: One photo shows the woman facing rhe camera, not smiling, and the other photo shows a side profile of the same woman,

Recruitment of Youth with Disabilities 

Traffickers recruit victims: 

► Online 


► Malls 


► 
Schools 

► Social Security offices 
► After school/youth programs 
► Group homes/foster care 



Grooming of Youth with Disabilities 

Case Example: 

Youth Programs 

Three profiles of older, white males not smiling and facing the camera

Maintaining Control in Youth with Disabilities 

One perxon supporting a teenager who uses a wheelchair to the couch

Role of the 
Provider 

Graphic: Prevention, Identification, Follow Protocol and Report, and Support & Referral
Prevention 
Identification 
Support & Referral 
Follow Protocol/Report 

Red Flags of Human Trafficking in Youth 

Red flags can be: 

► Behavioral 
► Physical 
► Situational 


IMPORTANT: What do you know about them already? And has 
something changed?


Red Flags of Human Trafficking in Youth 

Behavioral 

► Frequently missing school 
► Reduced or changed 
communication 
► Fear, exhaustion, or depression 
► Sudden inability to perform tasks 


Provider Role: Follow Protocol 

► Safety is first priority 
► Explain mandated reporting 
► Interpreters and supports ready 
before you need them 
► Provide choice and autonomy 
► Trauma-informed language and 


take your time 

Contact the 
National Human 
Trafficking Hotline 
for further 
guidance. 


Supporting Youth with Disabilities 

► Staff trainings 
► Connect with 
community supports 
► Acquire assistive 
technology 
► Put myths and 
perceptions aside 


► Make eye contact 
► Ask to help. Wait for 
acceptance. Follow 
instructions 
► Respect a person’s 
equipment 
► Accepting and welcoming 
tone 



Referral of Youth with Disabilities 

►Housing/Shelter/Transportation
►Medical/Dental
►Legal Advocacy





►Case Management



►Mental Health Support
►Substance Abuse Services
►Educational Services
►Employment Services


Keep referrals trauma-
informed, survivor-focused, 
youth-friendly, and 
accessible. 


Community Supports: Centers for Independent Living 

Fund your local 
CIL 

A family looking at an iPad together, smiling

Community Supports: Protection & Advocacy Centers 

For more 
information, 
about Protection 
& Advocacy 
Centers 

A photo of a gavel on a wooden table with a golden scales of justice in the background

Community Supports: Regional ADA Centers 

A map of the United States, broken up in 10 different regions in which the ADA centers are split up
For more 
information 
about 

Regional 
ADA Centers 


Community Supports: Vocational Rehabilitation 

To find your state’s VR 
program, simply use any 
search engine and 
type: “your state” + 
“vocational 
rehabilitation program” 

An older, white male in noise-cancelling headphones and goggles talking to a younger, white male also in goggles and noise-cancelling headphones. 

Community Supports: Advocacy Programs 

Sibling Leadership Network 

► Provide siblings of individuals with 
disabilities information, support, & 
tools 
► Family resources 



Community Supports: Advocacy Programs 

ARC of U.S. and State Chapters 

► Services, classes, & support for 
people with intellectual and 
developmental disabilities 
► Research/resources 



Community Supports: Advocacy Programs 

Self Advocates Being Empowered 
(SABE) 

► Advocacy services for people with 
all different types of disabilities 
► Promotes self-advocacy 



Resources 

National Human Trafficking Resource Center 
(Report online ) 
► Call:1-888-373-7888 

► Text: “Help” to BeFree (233733) 


Resources 

HEAL Network 

Email: healtraffickingnow@gmail.com 


Resources 

Freedom Network USA 

Call: 202-504-9602 
Email: info@freedomnetworkusa.org 


Resources 

National Human Trafficking and Disabilities 
Working Group 
Email: nhtdwg@iofa.org 


We are 
here t o 
help! 

Graphic: if you need assistance wit: Identifying human trafficking, resources, training, or technical assistance, contact IOFA 
If you need assistance with: 
Training 
Resources 
Technical Assistance 
Identifying Human Trafficking IOFA logo
Contact info@iofa.org info@iofa.org 


Thank you to our partners 

“The Trafficking of Youth with Disabilities 
Outreach & Education Project” 

This project was produced by the International Association for Adolescents under award #2016XV-
GX-K015, awarded by the Office for Victims of Crime, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. 
Department of Justice. The opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in 
this project are those of the contributors and do not necessarily represent the official positions or  policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.