The ROAD often TRAVELLED by YOUTH

1. The ROAD often TRAVELLED by YOUTH Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D. Licensed Psychologist Serving the Sexually Abused & Exploited Engedi Refuge - Royal Family KIDS - Agape International Mission Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D. RCJohnson448@gmail.com

2. About Presenter • Licensed Psychologist 25 years • Specialize in trauma, sexual abuse and sex trafficking • Author of books on child abuse, guilt and anger • Live in Washington state, married with 4 children Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D. RCJohnson448@gmail.com

3. Johnson Family Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D. RCJohnson448@gmail.com

4. Royal Family Kids Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D. RCJohnson448@gmail.com

5. GOALS • Increase AWARENESS • Encourage EMPATHY • Inspire to ACTION Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D. RCJohnson448@gmail.com

6. No Strings Attached An activity demonstrating the many broken relationships (and traumas) experienced by victims Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D. RCJohnson448@gmail.com

7. LIST: • The TRAUMAS • The FEELINGS • The THOUGHTS & BELIEFS Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D. RCJohnson448@gmail.com

8. Do you know her (him)? She’s been abused or is very desperate. She’s been blamed & shamed. She’s been rejected, neglected. She’s been deceived, coerced, assaulted, manipulated, raped &/or sold. She’s been told liesand forced to do despicable things. She’s a VICTIM! Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D. RCJohnson448@gmail.com

9. Do you know her? • She’s your neighbor, niece, daughteror son’s friend,… • She should be studying in school. • She’s desperate for: • LOVE • FAMILY & BELONGING • She’s young and immature, and doesn’t know what love is or what a healthy relationship looks like… • She’s in your program. Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D. RCJohnson448@gmail.com

10. DISCOUNT HIERARCHY by Peg Flandreau West, 1989 • Existence There is NO PROBLEM. • Significance There is a PROBLEM but it’s NOT a BIG ONE. • Solvability There is a problem, it is big BUT, it CANNOT be SOLVED. • Self There is a problem, it is big and it can be solved BUT NOT BY ME. WHERE are you? Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D. RCJohnson448@gmail.com

11. There IS a problem, it IS BIG and I can help solve it! Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D. RCJohnson448@gmail.com

12. How I got involved… Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D. RCJohnson448@gmail.com

13. Statistics: Human Trafficking Top 3 Criminal Activities worldwide = • 1. Weapon/Arms sale • 2. Drug sales • 3. Human Trafficking Estimated 27 million people enslaved worldwide: 80% women and children

14. Types of Human Trafficking

15. YOUTH CHALLENGES - TRAUMAS • Fatherlessness • Broken families • Abandonment • Homelessness • Gang violence • Gender oppression • Pornography • Poverty • Drug Involvement • Exploitation • Lost childhood • Child neglect/abuse • Education problems • Lack of hope • ________________ Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D. RCJohnson448@gmail.com

16. LOSSESand Intervention Points Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D. RCJohnson448@gmail.com

17. LOSSES: • “Normal” • Belonging • Boundaries • Communication skills • Confidence • Contentment • Control • Dignity • Dreams • Education • Enjoyment • Faith • Family • Friends • Future • Healthy relationships • Hope • Identity • Innocence • Material possessions • Meaning • Morality • Motivation • Nurturing • Respect • Safety • Security • Sense of self • Stability • Support • Treasures • Trust • Virginity Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D. RCJohnson448@gmail.com

18. Why ARE emotionally Healing PROGRAMS Important? Understanding Trauma Traumatic experiences can be dehumanizing, shocking or terrifying… and often include betrayal of a trusted person or institution and a loss of safety…. [Trauma is a] psychologically wounding experience that induces powerlessness, fear, recurrent hopelessness and a constant state of alert. (National Center on Trauma-Informed Care) Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D. RCJohnson448@gmail.com

19. Understanding TRAUMA Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D. RCJohnson448@gmail.com

20. Trauma Events Continuum One’s trauma reactions depend on a variety of factors including age, gender, life experiences, culture, religious beliefs, support system, and more. Individuals experience trauma in different ways and degrees regardless of where it falls on the continuum. Trauma reactions are generally more severe as one moves up the arrow, with trauma symptoms becoming more pronounced and recovery services and support requiring more time. (This diagram focuses on trauma events rather than individual trauma experiences such as divorce, death of a loved one, medical procedures…) (BCJohnson, 2011) Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D. RCJohnson448@gmail.com

21. Trauma Continuum BCJohnson, 2011One Person – One Event (not person to person) Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D. RCJohnson448@gmail.com

22. Trauma Continuum BCJohnson, 2011One Person – One Event (person to person) Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D. RCJohnson448@gmail.com

23. Trauma Continuum BCJohnson, 2011One Person – MANY Experiences(person to person) Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D. RCJohnson448@gmail.com

24. Trauma Continuum BCJohnson, 2011One Person – MANY Experiences(person to person) Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D. RCJohnson448@gmail.com

25. MULTIPLICITY INSTABILITY INABILITY Complex Trauma’s Instability (BCJohnson, 2011) Bumper cars and Team Stabilization Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D. RCJohnson448@gmail.com

26. Complex trauma, that of multiple and/or prolonged traumatic events, results in emotional dysregulation, loss of safety and loss of the ability to detect or respond to danger cues. (Herman, 1992) • Victims suffering from complex trauma often experience depression, anxiety, self-hatred, dissociation, substance abuse, despair, and somatic ailments. They are also at higher risk for self-destructive and risk-taking behaviors, re-victimization, and experience difficulties with interpersonal and intimate relationships. (Courtois, 2004) Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D. RCJohnson448@gmail.com

27. Trauma Symptoms • Attachment—difficulties with relationships, boundaries, trust, affect attunement. • Biology—increased medical problems, somatization. • Affect or emotional regulation—difficulty identifying, expressing and/or controlling emotions. • Dissociation—alterations in states of consciousness, amnesia, depersonalization and de-realization. • Behavioral control—poor impulse control, eating and substance use problems, aggressive, oppositional, compliant, self-destructive. • Cognition—problems with perceptions, understanding, sustained attention. • Self-concept—low self-esteem, guilt and shame. (Cook, Blaustein, Spinazzola, & van der Kolk, 2003) Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D. RCJohnson448@gmail.com

28. Inner Voices A drama byBecca C. Johnson, Ph.D., Licensed PsychologistServing the Sexually Abused and Exploited Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D. RCJohnson448@gmail.com

29. The LIESof Trauma:Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Compiled by Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D. RCJohnson448@gmail.com

30. Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D. RCJohnson448@gmail.com

31. The LIES • I’m worthless. • I’m a nobody. • I don’t deserve anything good. • I deserve this. • This is as good as it gets. • It’s my fault. • I can’t trust anyone. • No one will help nor can help. • No one cares. • I can’t do anything right. • I chose this life. • I can’t make good decisions. • I’ll never change. • God is impotent (can’t help). • God doesn’t care (won’t help). • God doesn’t exist. • Life won’t or can’t get any better. • He really does love me. • My feelings don’t matter. • Good things won’t happen to me. • I am to Blame. Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D. RCJohnson448@gmail.com

32. The LIES • I should have tried harder. • I should have known better. • I’ll never begood for anything. • All I’m good at/for is sex. • I must not let things bother me. • I must hide or ignore my feelings. • I‘ve got to take care of others. • I can’t trust myself. • Everyone thinks like he does (the abuser) • I am a bad person (worthless). • I’m so stupid. • People use and abuse me, even those who say they love or care about me. • I gotta be tough and not let things bother me. • Love hurts. • This is what I deserve. • It’s helpless (the situation). • I’m helpless. • I’m hopeless. • This is as good as it gets. • This IS my life. Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D. RCJohnson448@gmail.com

33. The LIES – Challenging our Beliefs • Self–worth? • Love – able? • Hope – less? • Help – less? • Blame & Shame! • Choice? • Abilities? • God’s goodness? • ‘Karma’ (bad) • Human kindness? • Effort? • Reality of LOVE? • Trust? • Feelings? • Nature of Human Relationships • Add to the list: • ___________________ • ____________________ Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D. RCJohnson448@gmail.com

34. Victim Reality:Common Feelings from an Uncommon Experience • Distrusting • Dependent • Dream-less • Depressed • Discouraged • Devastated • Dejected • Damaged-goods • Disregarded • Demoralized • Down-trodden • Demeaned • Disposable • Dehumanized • Defiled • Devalued • Deceived • Dirty • Desperate • Disconnected • Destroyed • Detached • Dumb • Dead • Dissociative • Doubt-filled • (BCJohnson, 2012) Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D. RCJohnson448@gmail.com

35. SocietyGOD rebellious beloved runaways son/daughter trouble-maker precious deviant special _____________________ _____________________ _____________________ _____________________ _____________________ _____________________ SocietYVs God Perspectives Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D. RCJohnson448@gmail.com

36. The RFK Mailbox Story Strength-Based Approach

37. T.R.A.C., THIS is who you work with. Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D. RCJohnson448@gmail.com

38. T.R.A.C., You intervene. You do prevention. You make a difference. Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D. RCJohnson448@gmail.com

39. The ROAD often TRAVELLED by YOUTH Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D. Licensed Psychologist Serving the Sexually Abused & Exploited Engedi Refuge - Royal Family KIDS - Agape International Mission Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D. RCJohnson448@gmail.com