Sex Trafficking & Rape

Episode Overview:

Worldwide, action is needed to address violence against women and girls.  According to the World Health Organization, 35% of women in their lifetime has experienced either intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual violence.  In this episode Dr. Nandi is discussing sexual violence, in particular sex trafficking as well as rape.  Sex trafficking is a form of modern slavery and exists around the world.  It exploits men, women and children with the majority of victims being women and girls.  Rape often happens before the age of 25 with many victims knowing their perpetrators.  Dr. Nandi speaks with two women who experienced horrific sexual violence in different ways, and are speaking up in hopes of creating change.   He’ll also explore ways one can start the healing process from traumatic sexual assault as well as what we as a society can do to create change.

Partha’s RX:

1. If you are a victim of sexual trafficking, get help now.  Call Polaris, a national hotline… with help available in multiple languages.  The number is 1-888-373-7888.

2. If you’re a victim of sexual violence, get medical help right away.  Even if you don’t want to report it, medical personnel can do a rape kit that preserves the evidence, in case you change your mind later.  They can also do a drug and pregnancy test and give you drugs to reduce your chance of getting a sexually transmitted disease.

3. Sexual assault is one of the most underreported crimes with only 39% being reported to police each year.  Some of the reasons victims don’t let police know is fear of reprisal, fear of police bias and in an effort to protect the offender.

4. Support and push for anti-sex trafficking laws in your state and country.  This criminal activity needs to be stopped.

Guests Including:

Theresa Flores, LSW, MS, Survivor, Best Selling Author & Victims’ Advocate

Aleksandra Andjelkovic, LMHC, LPC, Trauma/Crisis Specialist, Interpreter & Advocate

Andrea Calhoun, Sexual Assault Victim and IFBB Pro Figure Competitor

Sue Cornbluth, PsyD, Mental Health Therapist & Trauma Expert

Ashley-Michelle Arnold, Co-moderator, After Silence

Beth Morrison, President and CEO,  HAVEN

Kole Wyckhuys, Prevention Education Director, HAVEN