HEAL Hour: Understanding the Health and Healthcare Experiences of Survivors of Child Sexual Exploitation

Join us for the next HEAL Hour—our regular learning series designed to share practical tools, expert insights, and community connection around human trafficking response.

Date: Tuesday, November 4, 2025‍

Time: 12:00–1:30 PM ET (90 minutes)

Location: Virtual (via Zoom)

Cost: Free and open to all

This 90-minute session explores the health and healthcare experiences of survivors of child sexual exploitation (CSEC). Drawing from new research, Dr. Amy Farrell and Amelia Wagner will discuss the health needs, service access, and barriers faced by young survivors.

In dialogue with Nani Cuadrado, MSPAS, PA-C, HEAL Trafficking’s Director of Education, Dr. Farrell will connect research findings to practical strategies healthcare providers can apply in clinical and community settings. Together, they’ll explore:

• The physical and mental health impacts of child sexual exploitation.
• How survivors navigate healthcare systems and the challenges they encounter.
• Trauma-informed approaches that promote trust, safety, and better health outcomes.
  

This conversation offers actionable insights for healthcare professionals seeking to deepen their understanding of CSEC and improve their responses to the unique needs of young survivors.

About the Guests

Dr. Amy Farrell is nationally recognized for her research on how the criminal justice system identifies, investigates, and prosecutes human trafficking cases. She has testified before the U.S. Congress on trafficking issues and leads efforts to strengthen data-driven approaches to justice and victim support.

Amelia Wagner is a fourth-year Ph.D. Candidate in Criminology and Justice Policy at Northeastern University. Her research focuses on understanding health disparities in underserved populations and among victimized youth, as well as examining barriers to treating vulnerable and marginalized groups both in the United States and abroad. Her dissertation examines healthcare access and experiences of discrimination among LGBTQIA+ youth who have experienced commercial sexual exploitation, to inform policy and practice to improve equitable access to trauma-informed care.

Who Should Attend

Healthcare professionals, service providers, advocates, students, educators, and anyone interested in building a more trauma-informed, survivor-centered response to trafficking.

Please share this opportunity with colleagues or friends who may be interested. All are welcome.