Social work professor earns grant to address sex trafficking issues

Dominique Roe-Sepowitz, associate professor in the School of Social Work, has received $30,000 in grants to address issues involving sexually exploited children and adults.

The first $15,000 grant will provide psycho-education to survivors of sex trafficking at six locations, three groups for adult survivors of prostitution or sex trafficking and three groups for commercially sexually exploited children.  The grant will provide assistance in the continuation of an apprenticeship program for graduate social work students and sex trafficking survivors. 

This grant will fund graduate students and sex trafficking survivors to develop clinical skills in the administration of the Esuba: Putting the Pieces Back Together program. This is a trauma-focused intervention group designed specifically for adult and juvenile survivors of commercial sexual exploitation, sex trafficking and prostitution.

The second $15,000 grant will provide three trainings around Arizona (Phoenix, Flagstaff and Tucson) to increase the awareness, responsiveness and intervention services to child and adult victims of sex trafficking, prostitution and commercial sexual exploitation. The trainings will be provided by statewide experts on sex trafficking including members of the Phoenix Vice Enforcement Unit, The Phoenix Prosecutor’s Office, Catholic Charities Dignity Programs, and Parc Place Residential Program.  

Arizona is the second “worst” state in the nation with respect to human trafficking, particularly the sexual trafficking of young girls. This fund supports efforts to end child prostitution in Arizona and help sex trafficking victims.

“We are absolutely thrilled to be able to contribute such a substantial amount in these difficult economic times to help these worthy organizations carry out their important work,” said Jodi Liggett, CEO of the Arizona Foundation for Women. 

For more information, visit azfoundationforwomen.org.