Sharing experiences: Social Worker, USA
Name: Victoria Hougham
Position: Social Worker
Organisation: Polaris Project
Country/State where based: Washington, DC, USA
1. Tell us a little bit about your role and how you're involved in supporting children affected by exploitation and/or trafficking?
In my position as a social worker I work directly with survivors of human trafficking in the greater Washington, DC area to provide client-centred and empowerment based social services. When people are referred to our organisation we conduct a thorough assessment to evaluate what needs they might have and to determine how we might be able to assist them.
2. What activities and assistance does your organisation offer to children and their families who have been affected by sexual exploitation and/or trafficking?
Polaris Project serves all survivors of human trafficking, including sex and labour trafficking victims, adults and children, males and females, and foreign nationals and domestic citizens. We provide comprehensive case management, individual and group therapy, transitional housing, a daily drop-in centre, job training, and English as a second language classes to survivors of human trafficking. We also provide crisis response, including emergency shelter, food, clothing and emotional support, when required.
3. What are the biggest challenges in your every day work?
The biggest challenge we face is finding safe and secure emergency and transitional housing for survivors of human trafficking. There are many regulations and requirements for people to stay at shelters and we often struggle to find a good fit. Some shelters require that the victim must prove that they are from that country, others worry that by placing a human trafficking victim at their shelter that they open up the entire facility to safety concerns, and many do not allow people under the age of 18 years old. At Polaris Project we must work to find creative solutions to our housing issues every day.
4. What are the highlights?
The highlight of our work is being witness to increased independence and self-esteem in our clients. It is powerful to see someone take public transportation on their own, or get their first job. It helps remind us why we do the work we do.
5. What do you think works well or is important for children in their recovery and why?
I think the most difficult part about serving youth is that the recovery process is drastically different for each individual. What works for some does not work for others. We have found that with youth, they respond well when many types of service providers are involved in their recovery. It helps to have social workers, educators, families, probation officers, judges, lawyers, etc. all involved, especially if all those providers are willing to be open with each other and communicate regularly. With so many people involved, it gives the youth support in many areas, and allows them to connect to different people in different ways.
6. What knowledge or information would help you and your colleagues strengthen your work?
At Polaris Project we often consult with the National Human Trafficking Resource Centre when we are looking for resources or information for a particular victim. They have access to many shelters and contacts all over the country and are able to provide us with numerous referrals. Additionally, they have a lot of training materials and resources on their website.
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