UM-Flint social work students, the Magnificent 8 at the panel event (one member not present).
Planning for their senior capstone project this semester, a tight-knit group of University of Michigan-Flint social work students decided to dig into the myths and facts about the issue of human trafficking.
In addition to successfully completing the project together for their Integrative Seminar in Social Work Leadership course, their main goal was to inform members of the Flint and campus communities about this form of modern day slavery, how people become ensnared in its web, and how the public can help those in need.
Paula Brooks, member of the Magnificent 8 group.
A strong sense of teamwork was essential to their success. “We have good group cohesiveness,” said student Paula Brooks. “Most of us have known each other from other classes and projects and we gelled as a group.”
The students aptly named their group the “Magnificent 8” and worked diligently to research human trafficking, study, discuss their findings, and write a research paper together. In March, they welcomed a panel of experts to UM-Flint to talk to students and the public about the grim realities of human trafficking in Michigan.
For the Magnificent 8, the panel component was an important accomplishment as it focused on helping the public to understand the force, fraud, or coercion implicit in the relationships between traffickers and victims, and the reasons that victims do not necessarily seek help to escape.
Theresa Flores, trafficking survivor from Michigan
The panel featured author and survivor Theresa Flores along with Jane White, the director of the Michigan Human Trafficking Task Force; John Potbury, Genesee County special assistant prosecuting attorney; and Michigan State Police Trooper Steven Kramer.
The panel answered questions fielded by the UM-Flint social work student leaders, covering definitions and demographics concerning sex and labor trafficking, state laws, and telltale signs of individuals who could be caught within this criminal industry.
Those affected are drawn to empty promises of a better life, often bonding emotionally with their traffickers, and receiving threats to themselves and their family members if they attempt to leave or seek help.
Amanda Stout led the panel discussion.
As part of the panel event, Therese Flores told her story of falling into the sex trafficking industry as a vulnerable teenager living in a loving, Catholic family in an affluent Birmingham, Michigan neighborhood but whose family moved around a lot. Originally from Flushing, she said that transitioning to different schools when her family moved also left her vulnerable, ignoring red flags when she accepted a ride home from someone at school one day.
“All of the survivors were vulnerable in some way,” she explained. “I grew up a normal kid. Nobody chooses this life.”
Through their research and panel event, the Magnificent 8 student group also helped to provide practical information to social workers and medical professionals in the community.
“There is very little training on appropriate interventions,” said student Sheryl Cronenvhet. “One of our goals was to raise awareness on how to appropriately intervene. It can be as simple as asking someone, ‘Do you need help?’ or ‘Are you okay?’”
“We wanted to raise awareness of the need for safe houses, too,” said student Sarah Taylor.
Students Sheryl Cronenvhet and Sarah Taylor help lead the panel.
“Some people don’t believe that human trafficking is out there,” Paula said. “Traffickers really play on a person’s self-esteem. They pick on the vulnerable population. If you suspect someone is in trouble, call 9-1-1 or the national hotline 888-373-7888.”
The students will present their project in a poster presentation during the Social Work Department’s Evening of Excellence April 20. Group members include Paula Brooks, Sheryl Cronenvhet, Sarah Taylor, Nora Suarez-Sanders, Rachel Demoines, Danielle Novotny, Amanda Stout, and Marjorie Helzer.