During this workshop, engaged participants will learn how to develop culturally relevant strategies to more effectively engage with male and/or LGBTQIA+ opportunity youth victimized by commercial sexual exploitation, and those at-risk.

National research shows that male-idnetifying youth can make up as many as half of all child sex trafficking victims. LGBTQIA+ youth experiencing homelessness also experience disproportionate victimization. Continued challenges exist, however, in local efforts to not only identify these youth, but how to effectively engage and connect them with trauma-informed, client-driven services.

The facilitator will address misconceptions regarding the intersectionality of male-identifying youth regarding sexual orientation and gender expression. The audience will learn how toxic norms around masculinity, homophobia, transphobia and gender-biases create and sustain pathways to exploitation. More importantly, however, active participants will learn how to engage these youths in more culturally-relevant ways, that when applied holistically, have been proven to divert future criminal involvement, and other unhealthy behaviors.

Attendees will understand the intersectionality between human trafficking / exploitation and natural disasters, such as COVID-19, and discuss ways to mitigate increased risks for further exploitation.