Posts

Showing posts from December, 2024

Observations from Fall semester working in the lab

Image
In review of the Fall 2024 semester, my focus was on composing data briefs in order to show the work of the Central Illinois Human Trafficking Task Force over the recent years. First, I created the “Central Illinois Human Trafficking Task Force Training Survey Results: 2022” that included the total number of trainings, number of individuals trained, hours of training, the dispersion of who hosted the trainings, what group of people that the trainings were marketed for, and the distribution of where the trainings occurred throughout the entire year. Additionally, I created the “Central Illinois Human Trafficking Task Force Training Survey Results: 2023” that included the same breakdown of statistics as the 2022 brief. Following this, I used the “Central Illinois Human Trafficking Task Force Training Results” from 2020 to 2023 to create the summary brief known as the “Central Illinois Human Trafficking Task Force Training Survey Results: 2020-2023” in order to show how much work has been...

Reflecting on my semester in lab

Image
As the semester, along with my time at Millikin, comes to a close, I am able to reflect upon my internship in the Human Trafficking Research Lab. I have been fortunate to experience many different endeavors which have helped with both personal and professional development.  My favorite part of interning in the lab has been working on presentations within the community. I have learned a lot about trafficking while co-presenting with Dr. Dean. We have presented for the P.E.O. Chapter at Millikin University, to Decatur Public School District 61 high school leaders, to Millikin nursing students, to Growing Strong Sexual Assault Center, and to Decatur Public School District 61 security staff. I hope to continue presentations after I graduate and to collaborate with the research lab. I reached all of my presentation goals set at the beginning of the semester, aside from connecting with the Decatur Police Department, which I hope to have the opportunity to do down the line. I have also ha...

Human Trafficking Presentation at Growing Strong Sexual Assault Center

Image
Today, I was afforded the opportunity to engage in an educational presentation on human trafficking to Growing Strong Sexual Assault Center in Decatur, IL. When I began my internship, I was asked to think of some places I would like to train. Growing Strong was an organization I had in mind and a high priority, as I support their causes and know they are likely serving individuals who are being or who have been trafficked. It is common that social service organizations are serving victims/survivors of human trafficking and do not know how to fully recognize the signs. I reached out to the director and was pleased that she was immediately interested in scheduling a time to present. We decided to invite Jessica Spelman with the Center for Prevention of Abuse in Peoria, Illinois, as she is the Director of Human Trafficking Services and knows a great deal on educating in the realm of service provision. It was great to hear her presentation, and for Jessica, Dr. Dean, and I to work as a tea...

Human Trafficking Presentation to Decatur Public School District 61 Security Staff

Image
This afternoon, Dr. Dean and I gave a presentation to security staff of Decatur Public School District 61. We tailored this presentation in a way that individuals could both recognize signs of trafficking and could also discuss topics like grooming and prevention with students. The employees seemed to be interested in the presentation and engaged with our content. I am thankful I was able to present to those working with minors, as research indicates that approximately 50% of trafficked individuals are children and that exploitation begins at ages 12 to 14. It is a future goal of mine to be able to present to educators, as they form close relationships with the children they teach and have a rare opportunity to spot signs of trafficking. I am reminded through these presentations that while I may only be reaching a few individuals at a time, I am doing my part, and over time, these people will share what they have learned with others. It is important to me to do my part in the fight aga...