Laura Vidal presenation

Mental Health Coordinating Council Conference 2011 Trauma Informed Care and Practice for Trafficked People and CALD Populations. Presented by: Laura Vidal P: (02) 9211 5794 E: laura.vidal@aue.salvationarmy.org

“ The recruitment , transportation , transfer , harboring or receipt of persons , by means of the threat or use of force or other forms of coercion, of abduction, of fraud , of deception , of the abuse of power or of a position of vulnerability or of the giving or receiving of payments or benefits to achieve the consent of a person having control over another person, for the purpose of exploitation . Exploitation shall include, at a minimum, the exploitation of the prostitution of others or other forms of sexual exploitation, forced labor or services, slavery or practices similar to slavery, servitude or the removal of organs”
United Nations Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in
Persons, 2003
What is Human Trafficking?

Deception: The working conditions explained to Amy including working hours of 9am-5pm with a pay rate of $20 per hour, Amy never received payment and was also not allowed the freedom of 9am-5pm working hours;
Abuse of Position of Vulnerability: Amy was unable to secure work elsewhere, and her employment with this man meant that she could provide for her family which she was unable to do prior to then;
Giving and Receiving of Payments: This was indicated by the Uncle stating “I paid good money for you”, and by the offer of all expenses paid for travel from India to Australia;
For the purpose of exploitation: Labour was extracted, with the use of force including psychological and physical violence when Amy was non-compliant .
Human Trafficking & Amy’s Story

Elements of Trafficking Recruiting OR Harboring OR Moving OR Obtaining a person . by Force OR Fraud OR Coercion For the purposes of Forced Labour OR Debt Bondage OR Slavery 1. PROCESS 2. MEANS 3. END

Human Trafficking & Australia Hidden in plain sight…

The Commonwealth Government Support Process Assessment Stream -Intensive Support -Bridging Visa F Justice Support Stream -Less Intensive Support -Criminal Justice Stay Visa Transition from Victim Support Program -Formal transition assistance -Permanent application for Australian residency is made by AFP

The Safe House for Trafficked Women
We work with:
Individuals
Families
Groups
Communities
Organisations
Societies
Our Aims:
Uphold people’s rights & interests
Achieve equitable access to social, economic & political resources
Provide direct assistance and support
Raise awareness of structural inequalities
Promote policies and practices that have fair allocation of social resources
Act for social change to reduce social barriers, inequities & injustice

Understanding of trauma and its impact
Understanding vicarious trauma and its impact
Promoting safety
Ensuring cultural humility
Supporting client control, choice and autonomy
Sharing power and governance
Integrated and holistic system of care
Caring and supportive relationships
Ongoing healthy boundary analysis
Belief that recovery is possible
Headington Institute, 2010
The Safe House for Trafficked Women & Trauma Informed Care

Provision of practical needs & Mental Health support
Establishment of genuine safety
Addressing vulnerabilities to avoid further exploitation
Building Trust
Ongoing explanation of rights, providing choice
Regaining control over ones own life
Client Centred, Rights Based Practice
Essential Needs of Trafficked Persons

Establishing trust and control within the helping relationship
Use of alternative therapies such as art and recreation
Working through concepts such as confidentiality and consent
Collaborative practice
Engaging CALD Communities Competent, Sensitive and Aware

“ They have to understand that we come from different backgrounds and unlike in my country [in Australia] we do have options. So it’s kind of they have to give us time not to push us, everything in a rush…when you take everything in a rush I don’t have say, I don’t have anything that I can do, or suggestions I can raise. There is no way out. You just continue pushing me; and you have to leave. If they don’t want to listen to what’s made me be here, it’s like telling someone you have to enter into a hole and you don’t know the risk you will face if you enter into that hole. So the best thing to give is time and a chance to explain, put everything in the open…at least to have time”
Safe House Resident, 2011

Create safe and rights-based environments;
Do no harm;
Promote the achievement of equality;
Create client-centered environments with individualized care plans;
Operate on the Empowerment principles, creating partnerships with service users and allowing service users to take control over their own lives;
Considering the severity and duration of trauma as a means to assess the impact of trauma;
Information sharing, with clear and transparent communication at all times;
Ensure staff are all trained in elements of trauma and are aware of service user triggers, and strategies to address reactions to such triggers;
Introduce alternative therapies;
Create culturally competent, sensitive and aware services and
Promote and engage in collaborative practice as a way of reducing the rate of re-traumatisation.
Ways Forward…

During my university years, there were two words that used to be involved in almost every lecture I attended at the school of psychology. “Social Responsibility”. Those two words had been part of my group of values as a professional and one of the reasons to dedicate some of my time to work as a consultant psychologist for the Samaritan Accommodation Program. I can't avoid to share the enormous joy I feel being part of the team, not only because of the contribution I can make to a group of women who need so much support, but also for the big contribution they make to my own life. Somehow, I feel very privilege to have the opportunity of working with women from different cultures, different life experiences, different point of views, but mostly I feel privilege to be the witness of one thing they all have in common: a magnificent courage, bravery and willingness to be better people. So, how could I not want help them and do whatever is possible to facilitate recovery from their traumatic experiences, assess their psychological state and contribute to their development of skills and personal growth?? Wouldn't you?? -Consultant Psychologist for the Safe House Team The Safe House is always looking for new partners, if working with us is something you are interested in please, give us a call (02) 9211 5794

Laura Vidal presenation

by mhcc on Jul 27, 2011

Accessibility

Categories

Upload Details

Usage Rights

Statistics

Laura Vidal presenation — Presentation Transcript