Helping Male Victims Cope with the Stigma, Shame and Trauma of Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking (DMST) Using Therapeutic Techniques
Format
Individual Presentation
Location
Scarbrough 1
Strand #1
Academic Achievement & School Leadership
Strand #2
Mental & Physical Health
Relevance
DMST is a $32 billion dollar international criminal enterprise, and Georgia is unfortunately one of the worst places for this in the United States. The “Health” strand relates very well to this topic, as this presentation will help attendees promote the mental health of DMST victims.
Brief Program Description
Participants will learn about the stigma, trauma, and therapeutic approaches to help victims of Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking (DMST). Information will also be presented regarding the special dynamics related to male victims of DMST.
Summary
Dr. Knapp and Ph.D. student Walter Hughes will demonstrate skills and techniques for working with DMST victims. Victims of DMST struggle with issues of inferiority and inadequacy related to their abuse and this trauma often subsequently leads to detrimental beliefs which hinder their positive growth. The therapy and techniques which we will share will support the development of confidence, self-worth, and significance in the abuse victims. Participants will also receive some psychoeducational material and information about DMST regarding the etiology of the behavior, how perpetrators and victims interact, where the crime is most prevalent, as well as resources to help the victims. Participants will also learn about programs, methods, strategies, and practices being employed here in Georgia to combat DMST, as well as some national prevention strategies. Participants will learn of both state and national law enforcement efforts to confront this crime, as well as In addition, participants will be empowered with information on how they can become more involved with organizations that are working to prevent DMST as well as treat the victims. Almost all of the research on DMST has focused on females, yet recent police data has shown that a sizable portion of the victims are male. Presenter Walter Hughes is focusing his dissertation research on the male victims, and Dr. Knapp is his dissertation committee chair. Participants in this session will learn about many dynamics specific to male victims, as well as prevention and interventions for this overlooked demographic group.
Evidence
Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking. (2011). Trends in Organized Crime, 14(2/3), 265-266. doi:10.1007/s12117-011-9134-0 Hardy, V. L., Compton, K. D., & McPhatter, V. S. (2013). Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking: Practice Implications for Mental Health Professionals. Affilia: Journal Of Women & Social Work, 28(1), 8-18. doi:10.1177/0886109912475172 Kotrla, K. (2010). Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking in the United States. Social Work, 55(2), 181-187.
Biographical Sketch
Kenyon C. Knapp, Ph.D., LPC, NBCC, CPCS is the Assistant Coordinator for the Doctoral Counseling Program and Associate Professor of Counseling at Penfield College of Mercer University, Atlanta campus, where he teaches Masters and Ph.D. level counseling courses. He has had a part-time private practice for over 18 years, and has worked in numerous counseling settings. He currently serves as a board member for CACREP, the national accreditation body for the counseling field. He has specialties in the areas of crisis counseling, sexual addiction counseling, and Christian counseling. However, his greatest joy and accomplishments come in the form of his wife and four children, who keep him practical, multitasking, and very grateful.
Walter R. Hughes, M. Div., M.S. Clinical Counseling is a Ph.D. student in Counselor Education and Supervision where he serves as the graduate/teaching assistant for Professor Kenyon C. Knapp, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Counseling at Penfield College of Mercer University. He also serves as the Associate Pastor for Visitation and Congregational Care at the Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia.
Keyword Descriptors
-Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking (DMST), Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC), Sexual Abuse, Male Victims, Trauma
Presentation Year
2015
Start Date
3-3-2015 1:00 PM
End Date
3-3-2015 2:15 PM
Recommended Citation
Knapp, Kenyon C. Sr. and Hughes, Walter R., "Helping Male Victims Cope with the Stigma, Shame and Trauma of Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking (DMST) Using Therapeutic Techniques" (2015). National Youth Advocacy and Resilience Conference. 34.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/nyar_savannah/2015/2015/34
Helping Male Victims Cope with the Stigma, Shame and Trauma of Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking (DMST) Using Therapeutic Techniques
Scarbrough 1
Participants will learn about the stigma, trauma, and therapeutic approaches to help victims of Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking (DMST). Information will also be presented regarding the special dynamics related to male victims of DMST.
