SW and Human Trafficking Ed Abroad! (Harm Reduction Focus)

Yanett Garcia Chavez Start Date: May 9, 2023 - End Date: Aug 20, 2023
  • Denmark
  • Copenhagen, Denmark
  • Amsterdam, Netherlands

My Travel Story

by: Yanett Garcia Chavez Start Date: May 9, 2023 - End Date: Aug 20, 2023
Hello My name is Yanett Garcia, I am a sophomore in College! This summer I will be going to Denmark and Amsterdam to study Sex Work and Human Trafficking in both Countries

         The program that I will be attending is: "Denmark, Sweden & The Netherlands: Copenhagen, Malmo & Amsterdam - Human Trafficking & Sex Work: A Harm Reduction Approach" 
It will be led by Dr. Christopher Carey and be based in Europe. The program will focus on Sex Work and Human Trafficking in terms of looking into a Harm Reduction Approach. During the 12 days of the program, there we will listen to speakers from the Sex Works Interest Organization, the Red Van, and the Street Lawyers. Along with that, we will visit prisons and prosecutors that deal with not only sex workers but also human trafficking as well. 

          Attending this program would give me the opportunity to expand my knowledge on sex work and human trafficking. My academic and career goals consist of working in the field of ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences), and the ways that as not only an individual but also as a community, we can help support those affected. I plan to major in Criminal Justice and Criminology with a minor in psychology. This would allow me to be able to receive a new lens of perspective from another country.

          As someone who was almost trafficked and who has acquaintances and knows folks working in the field of Sex Work in the US, there is so much negativity around it here. It is surrounded by a huge stigma, fear, abuse, and lack of support and can be seen as something our higher-ups turn a blind eye to, I want to expand my knowledge and skills of what sex work and human trafficking lagally are dfeined as, what it looks like fully, and what the government's stance is on it. Also, what are the needs of sex workers, what can we do to identify warning signs of trafficking, and what can we do with that knowledge back home?

          This is why I am interested in getting to experience and see a different lens from a different country. In the same way, I have learned about our country's penitentiary system and Norway's as well, I can contrast and compare. I want to better understand the challenges and issues that were are currently facing today and learn how I can approach with a Harm Reduction Approach. Doing so would help me not only deepen my current knowledge and skills but also give me insight into what those first-hand living these experiences go through. One thing is hearing about it and another is actually seeing and hearing about it in person. It adds a dynamic that is necessary for one to truly understand. 

         Of course, we can't change things overnight, but I am curious to see what Denmark does differently than here in the US and what we could potentially take away from them. Overall, my ultimate goal is to continue my education to be able to be a voice not to only educate myself, but others as well while trying to make a difference in a way. Learning and being educated are very important steps to take.
  
         Overall I believe this program would not only allow me to grow in terms of learning, but it would also help me further in helping find my career choice of wanting to work in the field of Harm Reduction in terms of Adversity and Criminal Justice.






  • Denmark
  • Copenhagen, Denmark
  • Amsterdam, Netherlands

Updates

1

  • I Bought My Flights!

    Hello Everyone,
    I just wanted to share with you all that after doing a couple De Mi A Ti Candy pop up fundraisers and working my current job, I was able to purchase my round trip from PDX to Copenhagen and also the in between flight from Amsterdam to Copenhagen.
    Since then, I have taken deducted the amount from the campaign goal!
    - Yanett GC
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