Lakeview Health Links Sex Trafficking and Addiction in Special Jacksonville Educational Workshop
Jacksonville, FL (PRWEB) July 31, 2015 -- Jacksonville-based drug and alcohol rehabilitation center, Lakeview Health, has announced an important workshop at its new True North Conference Center. The medical community, social workers, law enforcement, and government officials are all invited to attend so that the Jacksonville community may be more aligned in the effort to better understand and combat sex trafficking. Lead by sex trafficking expert Sandy Skelaney, attendees will learn how to provide more effective services to child sex trafficking victims and conduct screening and intake that more effectively engages those in need.
It is commonly assumed that prostitution is often a chosen profession, but when addiction is involved, particularly with youth, it crosses the line into a human rights violation. Victims commonly suffer from addiction and co-occurring disorders such as depression, suicidal tendencies, and PTSD.
“There are many stigmas and misconceptions regarding both addiction and sex trafficking,” explained Skelaney. “If we are to make a difference we need to understand them both and work with the victims more effectively.”
This workshop explores complex problems and challenges and provides tips for delivering effective services to child victims of sexual exploitation and trafficking. Screening and intake procedures will be discussed as well as an introduction on Motivational Interviewing counseling techniques and how to use them with victims of sex trafficking.
How to Register to Attend
This special event will be held at the Lakeview Health campus from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on August 28. Space is limited.
For more information, please visit: http://www.lakeviewhealth.com/professional-lecture-series
Workshop Location
Lakeview Health True North Conference Center
1900 Corporate Square Blvd.
Jacksonville, FL 32216
About Sandy Skelaney
Sandy Skelaney is a changemaker and social entrepreneur who has played a pivotal role in developing Florida’s response to the issue of child sex trafficking. She is a Social Venture Consultant, an Adjunct Professor at Florida International University and the Chief Mastermind at Ignition Fund, an accelerator for innovative social impact projects focused on human rights and anti-trafficking initiatives.
In 2007, she founded one of the first specialized programs in the nation within a child advocacy center that provides comprehensive services to sexually trafficked girls 11–18 years old. Under Sandy’s leadership, Project GOLD at Kristi House in Miami helped hundreds of youth exit prostitution, advised dozens of policy changes and wrote and advocated for the passage of Florida’s Safe Harbor Act 2012. Sandy has a MA from Yale University in International Relations and began her anti-trafficking work at ECPAT International in Bangkok, Thailand and Girls Educational and Mentoring Services in New York City. Sandy was a TEDx Miami speaker and has won five awards for her advocacy and program development, including the prestigious “Women Who Make a Difference in Miami” award from the Junior League of Miami in 2013.
About Lakeview Health
Lakeview Health in Jacksonville is a leading provider of drug and alcohol rehabilitation services in Northeast Florida and a nationally recognized addiction treatment, serving clients from across the country. Since it was founded in 2001, it has helped countless individuals and families begin their journey of recovery. Lakeview’s caring and committed staff is dedicated to helping clients and their families find their "True North."
Gina de Peralta Thorne, MS, Lakeview Health, http://www.lakeviewhealth.com, +1 (904) 899-4536, [email protected]
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