1. The ROAD often TRAVELLED by YOUTH
Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D.
Licensed Psychologist
Serving the Sexually Abused & Exploited
Engedi Refuge - Royal Family KIDS - Agape International Mission
Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D.

2. About Presenter Licensed Psychologist 25 years
Specialize in trauma, sexual abuse and sex trafficking
Author of books on child abuse, guilt and anger
Live in Washington state, married with 4 children
Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D.

3. Johnson Family
Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D.

4. Royal Family Kids
Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D.

5. GOALS Increase AWARENESS Encourage EMPATHY Inspire to ACTION
Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D.

6. No Strings Attached
An activity demonstrating the many broken relationships (and traumas) experienced by victims
Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D.

7. LIST: The TRAUMAS The FEELINGS The THOUGHTS & BELIEFS
Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D.

8. Do you know her (him)? She’s been abused or is very desperate.
She’s been blamed & shamed.
She’s been rejected, neglected.
She’s been deceived, coerced, assaulted, manipulated, raped &/or sold.
She’s been told lies and forced to do despicable things.
She’s a VICTIM!
Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D.

9. Do you know her?
She’s your neighbor, niece, daughter or son’s friend,…
She should be studying in school.
She’s desperate for:
LOVE
FAMILY & BELONGING
She’s young and immature, and doesn’t know what love is or what a healthy relationship looks like…
She’s in your program.
Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D.

10. DISCOUNT HIERARCHY by Peg Flandreau West, 1989
Existence
There is NO PROBLEM.
Significance
There is a PROBLEM but it’s NOT a BIG ONE.
Solvability
There is a problem, it is big BUT, it CANNOT be SOLVED.
Self
There is a problem, it is big and it can be solved BUT NOT BY ME.
WHERE are you?
Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D.

11. There IS a problem, it IS BIG and I can help solve it!
Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D.

12. How I got involved…
Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D.

13. Statistics: Human Trafficking
Top 3 Criminal Activities worldwide =
1. Weapon/Arms sale
2. Drug sales
3. Human Trafficking
Estimated 27 million people enslaved worldwide: 80% women and children

14. Types of Human Trafficking
Labor Trafficking
Foreign
Adult or Minor
Domestic
Marriage/Adoption: sex &/or labor
Bonded/Debt Servant
Sex Trafficking
Marriage/Adoption
– sex &/or labor
Other Trafficking
Child Soldiers
Involuntary Organ Donor
Drug Mule

15. YOUTH CHALLENGES - TRAUMAS
Fatherlessness
Poverty
Broken families
Drug Involvement
Abandonment
Exploitation
Homelessness
Lost childhood
Gang violence
Child neglect/abuse
Gender oppression
Education problems
Pornography
Lack of hope
________________
These are some of the issues we will be discussing in the future as well as training on
Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D.

16. LOSSES and Intervention Points
Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D.

17. LOSSES: “Normal” Enjoyment Meaning Sense of self Belonging Faith
Morality
Stability
Boundaries
Family
Motivation
Support
Communication skills
Friends
Nurturing
Treasures
Future
Respect
Trust
Confidence
Healthy relationships
Safety
Virginity
Contentment
Security
Control
Hope
Dignity
Identity
Dreams
Innocence
Education
Material possessions
LOSSES:
Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D.

18. Why ARE emotionally Healing PROGRAMS Important? Understanding Trauma
Traumatic experiences can be dehumanizing, shocking or terrifying… and often include betrayal of a trusted person or institution and a loss of safety….
[Trauma is a] psychologically wounding experience that induces powerlessness, fear, recurrent hopelessness and a constant state of alert.
(National Center on Trauma-Informed Care)
Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D.

19. Understanding TRAUMA
Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D.

20. Trauma Events Continuum
One’s trauma reactions depend on a variety of factors including age, gender, life experiences, culture, religious beliefs, support system, and more. Individuals experience trauma in different ways and degrees regardless of where it falls on the continuum. Trauma reactions are generally more severe as one moves up the arrow, with trauma symptoms becoming more pronounced and recovery services and support requiring more time. (This diagram focuses on trauma events rather than individual trauma experiences such as divorce, death of a loved one, medical procedures…)
(BCJohnson, 2011)
Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D.

21. Trauma Continuum BCJohnson, 2011 One Person – One Event (not person to person)
Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D.

22. Trauma Continuum BCJohnson, 2011 One Person – One Event (person to person)
Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D.

23. Trauma Continuum BCJohnson, 2011 One Person – MANY Experiences (person to person)
Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D.

24. Trauma Continuum BCJohnson, 2011 One Person – MANY Experiences (person to person)
Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D.

25. Complex Trauma’s Instability
(BCJohnson, 2011)
MULTIPLICITY
INSTABILITY
INABILITY
Bumper cars and Team Stabilization
Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D.

26. Complex trauma, that of multiple and/or prolonged traumatic events, results in emotional dysregulation, loss of safety and loss of the ability to detect or respond to danger cues.
(Herman, 1992)
Victims suffering from complex trauma often experience depression, anxiety, self-hatred, dissociation, substance abuse, despair, and somatic ailments. They are also at higher risk for self-destructive and risk-taking behaviors, re-victimization, and experience difficulties with interpersonal and intimate relationships (Courtois, 2004)
Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D.

27. Attachment—difficulties with relationships, boundaries, trust, affect attunement.
Biology—increased medical problems, somatization.
Affect or emotional regulation—difficulty identifying, expressing and/or controlling emotions.
Dissociation—alterations in states of consciousness, amnesia, depersonalization and de-realization.
Behavioral control—poor impulse control, eating and substance use problems, aggressive, oppositional, compliant, self- destructive.
Cognition—problems with perceptions, understanding, sustained attention.
Self-concept—low self-esteem, guilt and shame.
(Cook, Blaustein, Spinazzola, & van der Kolk, 2003)
Trauma Symptoms
Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D.

28. Inner Voices
A drama by Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist Serving the Sexually Abused and Exploited
Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D.

29. The LIES of Trauma: Sexual Abuse and Exploitation
Compiled by Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist
Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D.

30. LIES
TRUTH
Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D.

31. The LIES I’m worthless. I’ll never change. I’m a nobody.
God is impotent (can’t help).
I don’t deserve anything good.
God doesn’t care (won’t help).
I deserve this.
God doesn’t exist.
This is as good as it gets.
Life won’t or can’t get any better.
It’s my fault.
He really does love me.
I can’t trust anyone.
My feelings don’t matter.
No one will help nor can help.
Good things won’t happen to me.
No one cares.
I am to Blame.
I can’t do anything right.
I chose this life.
I can’t make good decisions.
Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D.

32. The LIES I should have tried harder. I’m so stupid.
I should have known better.
People use and abuse me, even those who say they love or care about me.
I’ll never be good for anything.
All I’m good at/for is sex.
I gotta be tough and not let things bother me.
I must not let things bother me.
I must hide or ignore my feelings.
Love hurts.
This is what I deserve.
I‘ve got to take care of others.
It’s helpless (the situation).
I can’t trust myself.
I’m helpless.
Everyone thinks like he does (the abuser)
I’m hopeless.
This is as good as it gets.
I am a bad person (worthless).
This IS my life.
Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D.

33. The LIES – Challenging our Beliefs
Self–worth?
Effort?
Love – able?
Reality of LOVE?
Hope – less?
Trust?
Help – less?
Feelings?
Blame & Shame!
Nature of Human Relationships
Choice?
Add to the list:
Abilities?
___________________
God’s goodness?
____________________
‘Karma’ (bad)
Human kindness?
Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D.

34. Victim Reality: Common Feelings from an Uncommon Experience
Distrusting
Down-trodden
Destroyed
Dependent
Demeaned
Detached
Dream-less
Disposable
Dumb
Depressed
Dehumanized
Dead
Discouraged
Defiled
Dissociative
Devastated
Devalued
Doubt-filled
Dejected
Deceived
(BCJohnson, 2012)
Damaged-goods
Dirty
Disregarded
Desperate
Demoralized
Disconnected
Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D.

35. SocietY Vs God Perspectives
Society GOD
rebellious beloved
runaways son/daughter
trouble-maker precious
deviant special
_____________________ _____________________
Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D.

36. Strength-Based Approach
The RFK Mailbox Story

37. THIS is who you work with.
T.R.A.C.,
THIS is who you work with.
Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D.

38. T.R.A.C., You intervene. You do prevention. You make a difference.
Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D.

39. The ROAD often TRAVELLED by YOUTH
Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D.
Licensed Psychologist
Serving the Sexually Abused & Exploited
Engedi Refuge - Royal Family KIDS - Agape International Mission
Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D.