Working with Survivors 

Clinical Implications for working with Survivors of Commercial Sexual Exploitation

Women with experiences of sexual slavery, exploitation, and trafficking need and want a safe and sustaining community of caring and supportive, nonjudgmental people.  This community should include people with lived experience and personal understanding of the issues, appropriate and safe housing, medical and mental health care, legal serviceas, other basic necessities such as food and clothing.

Mental health providers working with survivors of commercial sexual exploitation should:

  • Have training in working with survivors of trauma, particularly sexual and interpersonal trauma
  • Work in inter-disciplinary teams, especially involving law enforcement personnel
  • Have a general awareness of current immigration policies and access to immigration-based assistance
  • Collaborate with social agencies that can provide clients with access to economic, legal, vocational, and other life resources
  • Have strong multicultural counseling competencies because clinical work with survivors is likely to include cross-cultural encounters
  • Understand the effects of being sexually exploited
  • Consider using cognitive-behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, or eye movement desensitization and reprocessing because these therapies have been shown to be effective with populations that have experienced trauma

Why Support RIA House

Read our Case for Support by downloading the PDF here.


Research shows that 75% of all contributions to charitable nonprofits, like RIA House come from the individual donations of those supporting a cause. 

The biggest predictor of long-term sustainability for nonprofits like RIA House is local community support and successful networking with support systems regionally, nationally, and internationally. This is why it’s so important for supporters of RIA House to join our campaign to respond to CSE and spread the word through social platforms like Facebook and Twitter. The more visible support we gain from local organizations and community members, the more leverage we will have in applying for grants and federal funding, which means greater opportunity to inspire others and change lives. 

Help us continue to provide a safe space for survivors and raise awareness by joining the Ready Inspire Act campaign and inspire others in your community to join the cause.

Inspire those in your community: friends, local business, and organizations to help you raise $250 or more to support RIA House on Facebook Causes. Host your own fundraising event, donate on your birthday or other personal milestones, recruit community organizations and business to donate, support, and get involved.

For more information or tax-deductible donation:
RIA House, Inc.
330 Cochituate Road #1784
Framingham, MA 01701
info@riahouse.org
RIA House is a nonprofit organization under IRC501(c)3.
         _______________________________

Federal and State Laws

Get to know the laws in your area.  If your state does not currently support legislation that effectively targets both the pimps and the Johns, get involved.  Contact your lawmakers and help us protect those being victimized in your state.

Federal Laws: 

Trafficking Victims Protections Act (TVPA) 2000
- Authorizing the trafficking in persons (TIP) Office to negotiate child protection compacts with designated focus countries to increase resources and political will to eradicate child trafficking (the essential provisions of the Child Protection Compact Act)
- Provide resources to TIP office to allows them to respond quickly to requests for technical assistance from foreign countries
- Instructing the State Department regional bureaus to designate anti-trafficking specialists in U.S. embassies abroad to collect information on trafficking and communicate U.S. concerns to foreign government officials
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