Volunteer Grant Writer - Human Trafficking

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We are looking to find and develop RFPs for providing counseling and psychoeducational services for commercially sexually exploited children.

UNICEF (United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund), developed to protect the welfare of children around the world estimates that more than 2 million children and youth are commercially sexually exploited worldwide (Barnitz, 2001; Chung 2006; ECPTI, 2006; HumanTrafficking.org, 2006; UNICEF, 2014). The psychological impact of commercial sexual exploitation and the inherent abuses of power are long term, and impact the individual, as well as his/her family and his/her community. However, addressing the consequences of this type of victimization toward helping victims extricate themselves from such untenable situations requires more than psychological intervention. A review of the literature points to the need for multiple levels of intervention that span and incorporate psychological, individual, community, systemic, and global levels. To protect children from exploitation and the abuse of power, and to successfully help them reintegrate with families and communities, intervention must be approached with a community-based framework in mind, that is, in collaboration with families, religious leaders, educators, public health professionals, lawyers, law enforcement, and many other disciplines (Barnitz, 2001; Bemak & Chung, 2008; Chung, 2009; Clawson & Dutch, 2008; Delaney & Cotterill, 2005; ECPTII, 2006; Kalergis, 2009; Human Trafficking.org (2006); Lebloch & King, 2006; Rafferty, 2008; UNICEF, 2012).

While empirical research has only recently begun surrounding the impact of CSE on the developmental well being of its child and adolescent victims, it is clear that there is significant and far-reaching physical and emotional trauma. It is clear that, in all its forms, regardless of the victim’s age or worldwide location, "trafficking and CSE present grave risks to the physical, psychological, spiritual, and social-emotional development of young victims" (Rafferty, 2008, p. 13). These risks are long term and extend far into adulthood. The literature indicated that treatment program effectiveness is impacted and strengthened by an interdisciplinary approach to treatment (education/vocational, medical/physical health, physical safety, legal support, community-based peers support), rather than solely using psychotherapy for addressing complex trauma (Barnitz, 2001; Bemak & Chung, 2008; Chung, 2009; Clawson & Dutch, 2008; Clawson, Salomon, & Grace, 2008; Delaney & Cotterill, 2005; ECPTII, 2006; Human Trafficking.org, 2006; Kalergis, 2009; Lebloch & King, 2006; Rafferty, 2008; Williamson et al. 2010; UNICEF, 2012).