Group protocol

Sex trafficking: Moving Forward

Amelia Marinoff
Jennifer Lopez
Matthew Victoria
Michael Cervantes

OTAL-Psychosocial Components of Occupation

Professor Elisabeth Colburn
November 9, 2021
 Group Protocol: Sex Trafficking

2.Identifying group population:

-Adult female
-Latina
-Age 18-25
-Student/ part time Working

3. CBT( cognitive behavior therapy)” is a type of psychotherapy that has

consistently been found to be the most effective treatment of PTSD both in the
short term and the long term” ADAA.org

What are the goals of our patient?

-Entering a normal/healthy relationship (i.e.having a family, relationship)
- Dealing with self esteem/ PTSD/ cbt/ learning to trust again/ learning to build a healthy relationship
- Reintegration into society (i.e.school,work,family )
-Health management
-Taking care of others (i.e.family members, friends, significant others, pets)

Session Ideas
1.Therapeutic Baking
2. Self Defense Class 101
3.UFC/Gym session (exposure therapy), Toy punching bag
4. Calming and Relaxing Technique Exercises
5. Painting Class
6. Positive affirmations (mirror writing, journaling, reminders, constructive activity to build
confidence/ self love)

4.) Frame of reference

Development of Adaptive skill
1. Sensory integration
2. Cognitive skills
3. Dyadic interaction
4. Group interaction
5. Self-identity no
6. Sexual-identity
 Sex Trafficking

Group Title
Moving Forward

Authors
Amelia Marinoff
Jennifer Lopez
Matthew Victoria
Michael Anthony Cervantes

Frame of Reference

The frame of reference for this activity would be the Development of Adaptive Skills Frame of
Reference. This FOR focuses on the individual developing areas of sensory integration,
cognitive skill, dyadic interaction, group interaction, self identity, and sexual identity. The
client we are focusing on is a sex trafficking survivor whose previous life style and experiences
did not allow the growth and development of these skills. The treatment for this client with
these types of deficits benefits from the Development of Adaptive Skills FOR because not only
are these important areas that require growth but the areas themselves are able to build off each
other and the client is able to achieve growing progress through each area.

The DOAS (Development of Adaptive Skills) allows for our client to work on skills that
address the deficits at an age appropriate level. The FOR allows for the therapist to tie in the
cognitive and functioning level of the client with appropriate activities that address the deficits
in necessary areas.

Purpose
The purpose of this project is to use occupational therapy to help sex trafficking victims return
to a nomal life, daily acitvities, and IADL’s through therapeutic sessions that foster growth in
the well being and healing of victim.

The intention for each of these exercises is to:

- Validate victims of sex trafficking
- Reintegrate into society
- Develop relationships/ trust with certain techniques and exercises
- Recognizing and processing trauma
 - Entering a normal/healthy relationship (i.e.having a family)
- Dealing with self esteem/ PTSD/ cbt/ learning to trust again/ learning to build a
healthy relationship
- Reintegration into society (i.e.. school,work,family)
- Health management
- Taking care of others ( i.e. family, friends, significant other, pets)
- Leisure Activities (i.e.Shopping, Eating out, going out to social events)

Group Membership and size and exclusionary criteria

This group is for individuals who are victims of sex trafficking, which is a form of modern-day
slavery in which the victims perform commerical sex through the use of force, fraud, or
coercion. There will be 8 members participating in the session. Ages for our group activities
will range from ages 18-25 years old with the goal to integrate themselves back into a healthy
functioning relationship, society, and leisure activities.

Group goals and rationale

- Goal 1: Being able to perform leisure activities once again (i.e. baking cookies)
Rationale: This goal is aimed to reintroduce leisure activities to sex trafficking victims since
they may be timid/ anxious to participate in them. Having someone participate in an activity
alongside them should boost their confidence and will to engage.
This goal is addressed to session number 1.
Goal 2: Being able to enter a relaxed state of mind and body when faced with a stressor.
- Rationale: Many victims of sex trafficking may have built up stress and having the ability to
work on stress relieving skills such as grounding or breathing exercises allows the individual to
distress where ever they are.
This goal is addressed in session number 4.
- Goal 3: The patient will learn how to perform a safe stress releasing activity without hurting
themselves or others.
- Rationale: Sex trafficking victims may not only face emotions of fear and depression, many
will also have built up anger and energy they want to release. Taking a part of an activity such as
punching a padded target is a safe way to release endorphins and emotions.
- This goal is directed to session number 3
- Goal 4: Being able to practice a self defense technique incase of future incidents.
Rationale: Having the ability to learn a self defense technique may give a sextrafficking victim
a sense of security. It may allow them to participate in IADL’s such as going on a jog with more
confidence or walking back to their car at night.
 This goal is intended for session number 2

Outcome criteria
Outcome 1: By the end of the six sessions, the client will have new tools to utilize the process and
release stress/ difficult/ overwhelming emotions. The effectiveness of this treatment will be measured
on a 1-3 scale of likeness of using this treatment.

Outcome 2: By the end of the six sessions, the client will be more comfortable navigating social
situations and working with others towards a common outcome. The effectiveness of this treatment
will be measured on a 1-3 scale of likeness of using this treatment.

Outcome 3: By the end of the six sessions, the client will be able to utilize learned techniques of self
defense and be able to apply those during dangerous situations. The effectiveness of this treatment will
be measured on a 1-3 scale of likeness of using this treatment.
 Pre- Post Test:

On a scale of 1 to 3, how likely are you to use journal writing, pastry decorating, combat techniques to
process stress/ negative/ overwhelming emotions?

1- not likely, 2- somewhat likely, 3- very likely

On a scale of 1 to 3, how likely are you to use the social communication skills learned while working in
a group to further build effective and purposeful relationships?

1- not likely, 2- somewhat likely, 3- very likely

On a scale of 1 to 3, how likely are you to use the trained self defense techniques as intended?

1- not likely, 2- somewhat likely, 3- very likely

 Methods and Leadership

Methods: The treatment approaches for each session are tailored to treat the deficits for someone
who has been victimised by human trafficking. The sessions are created to introduce the client in a
moderate to advanced manner to these concepts by applying them in a way that addresses their deficits.
The therapy sessions provide exposure to these scenarios that can also be applied to their everyday real
lives.

Leadership: The FOR for this session is the Development of Adaptive Skills. The leadership
application throughout these treatment sessions provided are instructive and facilitative. The leader
explains the task and instructs steps for participants. The treatment session then allows for the clients
themselves to navigate the activity itself more liberally and thus allows the leadership to facilitate areas
like engagement and conversation.

Time and place of meeting

This group meets three times a week for six weeks on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 2pm to
3pm. They will meet in a large room which is approx. 15 ft x 20+ ft (300 square feet) with two tables
with four participants at each table.

The environment of the room will have natural lighting coming from the windows. The door can be
shut or opened depending on what the participants choose. The walls will be a natural color filled with
posters of positive reaffirmations, and advice on how to deal with mental health, and coping with
trauma.

There would be two OT practitioners to help the participants with assistance. Each participant will
have to obey the safety guidelines given by the CDC, facility, and therapists such as, wearing masks,
maintaining social-distances, and sanitizing/ washing their hands.

Supplies and cost

Supplies
- (1) Plastic gloves box ($1.00)
- (7) Plastic table covers ($7.00)
- (1) Icing piping bags 28pk box $(3.00)
- (7) Sprinkles pack ($7.00)
- (8) Frosting ($8.00)
-(30)Donuts (premade) ($26.00)
- (1) napkins box ($1.00)
- Hand sanitizer ($ 7.00)
- (2) Plastic knives box ($2.00)
- (36)Plastic plates box($4.00)
- (2) Water case ($6.00)
- (27) Pens ($5.00)
-(27) Paper sheets ($5.00)

Equipment
- (1) Pair of Boxing Gloves ($25)
- (1) Pair of Boxing pads ($25)
- (10) Mat ($10)
- (1) Punch Dummy($300)
- (1) Shredder ($30)

Tools
-(1) iPhone($700.00)
-(1)Speaker ($200)

Total: $1,454
 Group Session Outline
Session 1 of 6

Group Title: Moving Forward

Session Title: Therapeutic decorating

Format:
5 min- Organize materials/ Set up tables for activity
5 min - Introduction of the therapeutic baking activity
5 min- Wash hands and sanitize working area
30 min- Participants use colored frosting to decorate cookies
5 min- Clean up
Total: 50 min

Description

Introduction : Purpose of the group activity focuses on IADL’s, social participation, and leisure
participation. Being able to communicate efficiently, work on social skills, work on intimate partner
relationships, being able to destress, and to engage in activities all while working on deficts brought on
by sextrafficing. Sex trafficking stole many interpersonal aspects of the individual where they were
deprived the simplest joys of life and this activity focuses on reintroducing these social skills in their
lives.

Warm-up: There is going to be a total of 27 people with each group containing 4 people. There
will be natural lighting with an environment that encourages engagement and makes it easy for people
to see the activity in front of them.

Activities: Each table will be supplied with table covers, utensils, sprinkles donuts, and frosting. Each
person will get the opportunity to decorate their donut as they wish which will last for about 20-30
minutes. Each table will have four people, each person will have one donut and will be sharing
decorating supplies.

Conclusion:
Sharing: Each member will have the opportunity to present their donut in a show and tell format.
Discussion
Processing:
1. What impact do you think this session of pastry decorating had on your emotional processing?
Did you interpret this relaxation and socialization technique as intended for later use in the
future?
Generalization:
2. Do you find this activity to fit the needs of an individual who may be experiencing stress,
insomnia, lack of trust, or paranoia? Is there anything you would change from this activity to
better fit the individual?
Application:
3. Do you feel you can practice these techniques when you find yourself overwhelmed? Do you
believe this activity can be used as a processing tool for other scenarios where your emotions are
affected by daily factors?

Summary: This is a therapeutic activity that encourages socialization, participation, processing

information, and motor skills. The format and delivery of this session was meant to provide
therapeutic relief of stress management as well as tie into possible leisure activities. The set up of the
groups promotes the idea of socialization within the members to come together and enjoy a leisurely
activity. This encourages socialization skills that can be used within all areas of life, like in the
workplace or within personal relationships.

Supplies:
-plastic gloves
-plastic table covers
-icing piping bags
-sprinkles
-icing
-Donuts (premade)
-napkins
-sanitizing supplies
-plastic knives
- plastic plates
 Session 2 of 6
Group Title: Self Defense

Session Title: Self Defense class 101

Format:
5 min - Signing injury/liability form
15 min - Warm up taught by professional self defense instructor
20 min - Learning a basic self defense stance through repetition
10 min - Cool down (stretching, controlled breathing, and regulation)
Total: 50 min

Supplies:
-Water
-Workout attire
-Mat

Description

Introduction: Using this session for this population to learn self defense will help give the
individual gain emotions of empowerment but also a way to cope with stress. They will gain the
confidence of learning how to defend themselves which will give them the feeling of strength since they
will feel that they can now prevent any circumstances that will put their life in danger and not be a
victim of sex trafficking again. The movements learned can benefit the individual by practicing these
skills as a way to destress or cope with life’s stress by using it to meditate. This will encourage them to
learn more martial arts skills and meditation skills from the arts which will help sharpen what they
learned for when it needs to be used but also more ways to destress with meditating.

Warm-up: There will be 27 people in the class session and students will pair up. The room will have
a foam mat and will also be well lit to enhance participation. Classroom will be transformed into a
training room by moving the tables to the sides to provide ample space for training. Attention of
participants will be guided towards the instructor to the front of the room.
Activities: Martial arts instructor explains self defense techniques to participants. Instructor begins
with a warm up before going into instructed self defense techniques. Instructor facilitates the group
into controlled punching and kicking movements. The session will encourage participants to release
stressors/ fears/ anxieties within controlled movements. Each position will allow the channeling of
emotions which helps participants become more relaxed as the session goes on. This session will last
approximately 50 minutes.

Conclusion:
Sharing

The participants individual work can be shared by performing the self defense technique they learned
against their partner going full speed. The participants will be able to display their learned versions and
work together to successfully complete the technique.

Discussion:

Processing:
1. What impact do you think this self defense session had on your emotional processing? Did you
interpret the defensive technique taught to you by the instructor in the way it was intended?

Generalization:
2. Do you find this activity adequate enough to process emotions such as fear, panic, and terror?
What would you change about the activity, format, or facilitating to better suit your take away
from this exercise?

Application:
3. Can you see yourself practicing these techniques in a future stressful situation? Do you find
this exercise could be used as a processing tool for other overwhelming/ negative emotions?

Summary: This session will have the outcome of all participants leaving with a new skill to both
process emotions as well as new techniques for self defense. The session will be held in a group format
that will also allow members to be exposed to social situations being surrounded by others.
 Session 3 of 6

Group Title: Releasing built up energy

Session Title: UFC/Gym session

Format: 5 min- Organize materials/set up for activity

10 min- Introduction of activity and showing proper technique of punching

25 min- Allowing individuals approximately 1 min each perform activity

10 min- Finish off activity with a breathing exercise to calm heart rate

Description:

Introduction: The purpose of this activity is to have the participant be able to release/express built
up frustration and frustration in a safe and healthy manner. Since our participants are victims of sex
trafficking, many of them may be repressing their emotions and need assistance revealing them.

Activities : The COTA practitioner will initiate the activity by introducing how a victim of sex
trafficking may be experiencing many repressed emotions such as anger or frustration. It would be
healthy to release them in a safe and respectful manner such as boxing. The COTA will teach the client
how to throw a safe punch. After a few practice rounds the individual will have approximately 1
minute each to punch the pads as hard and as fast as they want. Once all done their heart rate should be
slightly higher, so we’ll finish off with a breathing exercise in order to cool down.

Supplies:

- 1 pair of boxing gloves

- 1 pair of boxing pads

- A clear space
Conclusion:

Sharing: members' work may be shared as each one of them performs their 1 min activity in front of
one another.

Discussion: Did each participant understand how to properly express their emotions in a safe manner?
Did the participant apply their energy in the way it was shown?

Summary: A point to take away from this activity is that it must be done with the required equipment
and with another member who is willing to participate. Being able to express anger and frustration
must be done in a safe environment where getting hurt is minimized as much as possible.
 Session 4 of 6

Grouping Title: Regulating the Mind and Body

Session Title: Releasing Anxiety and Stress by Using Calming and Relaxing Techniques and
Exercises

Format:
5min: Organize,prepare space/ environment
3min: Introduction to muscle/ mind relaxation
2min: Participant form and sit in a circle
35min: Participants will participate in a calming exercise activity
10min: Cool off/ water break
5min: Clean up environment and space
Total Min: 60 minutes

Description

Introduction: This session will help this population to learn calming techniques to help manage
stress and anxiety when experiencing triggers or trauma. The purpose of this activity is to help relieve
stress and anxiety through calming exercises to relax the body from experiencing panic or anxiety
attacks. This activity will focus on ADL’s and IADLs such as social participation to help the victims to
build social skills and reintegrate into society. It will also focus on expressing emotions through
calming therapeutic techniques, regulating their emotions, and experience of self and time. Since this
activity is based on victims of sex trafficking, this activity is based on helping these victims release
emotions, stress, and anxiety due to the trauma that they have experienced.

Activities: The COTA(S) will begin the activity by introducing the activity on how it may be
beneficial for the physical and mental health of the participants when trying to release stress, and
anxiety, when experiencing a trigger or negative thoughts and emotions. These participants will have
the opportunity to practice calming and relaxation techniques and exercises for 30 minutes while
sitting in a circle in the center of the room with dim lighting and instrumental music playing in the
background to help them relax and concentrate. The goal for the end of this activity is for the
participants to feel calm,and relaxed after releasing stress and anxiety.

Supplies:
Water
Speaker
iPhone
Mats(optional)

Conclusion
Sharing: before the activity, the participant will have the opportunity to share any emotions or feelings
that they might be feeling. At the end of each session, each participant will take turns sharing their
experience and emotions on how they feel after completing the activity.
 Session 5 of 6

Group Title: Moving Forward

Session Title: Painting Emotions

Format:
5 minute - Setup: Tables/ Items
5 minute - Explanation of exercise/ activity
25 minute - Painting activity
15 minute - Sharing

Description

Introduction: This group activity focuses on occupation health management being the
subcategory social and emotional health promotion and maintenance. This activity will enable this
population to learn to express feelings through art, giving another way of expression to those who have
difficulties being vocal about their sentiments. The session will show the individuals how to manage
stress and coping skills to past trauma. Another area this activity focuses on is the occupations leisure
with the subcategory being leisure participation and touching based on occupation of social
participation in the subcategory community participation. Participating in this session will allow the
individuals to either be reintroduced or shown how to participate in leisure activities. This population
was deprived from many occupational aspects that even the simplest enjoyments of life are difficult to
engage in. Participating in this activity with others will help build social interactions especially when
being around others who experienced the same traumas. The painting session activity is a perfect way
for expression, coping, leisure, socializing, and the art aspect gives the individual the ability to become
an artist which can bring emotions of confidence to fulfillment.

Warm up: The individuals will check they have everything ready with a verbal checklist done by the
instructor.

Activities: The instructor will verbally guide the individuals on what options to paint which can
consist of anything of their choosing like how they are feeling, what makes them happy, etc. The
individuals will paint their emotions or the other options. When everyone is finished the social aspect
of the activity will begin. Everyone will share their painting and their reasoning behind the creation.
This will encourage many to share and see what others feel through their paintings. The session will
take a total time of 50 minutes.

Supplies:
- 8 Canvas
- 8 Paintbrush
- 8 Paint kit

Conclusion

Sharing: Sharing their painting is an important aspect of the activity and will take place at the end
which will create an opportunity to socialize with others regarding the art created through their
emotions.

Discussion

Processing:
1. What were the reasons for the color choices made for your painting?
2. Why did you choose to paint what is shown?

Generalization:
1. Do you feel you would want to try other methods of art for expressing or leisure like
creating by drawing, photography, film, building, etc.

Application:
1. Do you feel you will use art to be able to express your emotions or for leisure?
2. Can you picture yourself sharing with others the art you created?

Summary:
At the end of the session many of the participants will learn that art can be used for expression and has
a therapeutic value which can help them through the stresses of life. The painting session will show the
group that taking time for leisure activities like painting can help and be used for distractions of
outside factors that might interfere with their mental health.
 Session 6 of 6

Group Title: Moving Forward

Session Title: Positive affirmations and emotional debriefing through journaling

Format:
5 min. Passing out and gathering of material/ checking setting including lights, desks
5 min. Introduction/ Explaining of activity
25 min. Journaling prompts
5 - 10 min. Participants can share if they would like
10 min. Participants shred up journal prompts
Total time:

Description:
Introduction- As a client that has gone through something traumatic, the thoughts of this person can
become disorganized and hard to process. This makes it hard for the emotions to be thoroughly felt
and worked through. Journaling allows for the individual to organize their thoughts into writing that
they are able to go back on and reflect on later.

Activities- In a group of 27 people, each person will receive a paper with two journal prompts on them.
These journal prompts will open the writing to be as deep and as revealing as the person would be
comfortable with. The person can be as vulnerable or as reserved as they want. The point is to just be
very honest to oneself. These prompts will be written in a private manner where each person will be
able to share their thoughts without any audience or any opinions. Once the journaling has concluded,
each participant will walk their papers to the shredder and drop them in.

Supplies:
1 sheet with journal prompts
1 writing utensil
1 shredder
Conclusion:

Sharing: Near the end of the session, there will be an open forum style conversation held where if
anyone wants to share they can, but if no one wants to share that is also perfectly fine and clients may
proceed to the shredding.

Discussion: Did this exercise allow for you to give some structure to possible overwhelming
thoughts? How would you change these journal prompts to better suit what you would like to write
about? What could daily journaling do for your mental health? How did the shredding of the paper
make you feel?

Summary: The goal of this session is to provide an outlet for the group members to be able to
express their feelings and thoughts with words. This can be very helpful for people who need to better
organize their thoughts and also provides them with material from their past thoughts if they chose to
keep the paper. The shredding of the paper is intended to provide the person with some relief or
closure from the shredding of any heavy or troublesome thoughts.
1. WRITE ABOUT A TIME YOU FELT
VULNERABLE
2.Write about something that reminds you
that all the hard work is worth it
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afficking.aspx

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https://belatina.com/human-trafficking-impact-latinx-community/