Abstract
Sexual exploitation of children does not only have a huge impact on the child itself, but on the parents and siblings as well: human trafficking affects the whole family. In this workshop we share experiences of our work with adolescents (both male and female) and their families and tell about the importance and need for a lifeline. In our view, the best way to help the child is to help the parents to become an anchor for their child(ren).

Carla wants to give voice to those who often cannot speak: the victims because of shame, the parents because of feelings of guilt. Patterns of blaming and shaming prohibit openness and very often both parents and children are threatened by the human trafficker or criminal gang.

In this workshop Carla will share ideas of how to introduce Connecting Authority and Non Violent Resistance in her work with families when their child is victim of sexual exploitation.  It is a story about resilience and hope for victims and their families.
As a professional or therapist, we must be an anchor for the parents. When we hold the parents, they can hold their children, be an anchor and lifeline for them and will never let go. We share tools that show that there is always something you can do. Little steps that make a big difference.

Participants in the workshop will hear about cases Carla and her team worked with. They will see testimonials from young people who became a victim of sexual exploitation and their parents. They will also tell how they have experienced the power of Connecting Authority and Non Violent Resistance.