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options for relief available with victims of trafficking, including the potential benefits and consequences of working with law enforcement. TECHNOLOGY-BASED ADVOCACY Technology changes rapidly and advocates should be prepared to learn new strategies to creatively and effectively support victims. While technology is often a tool used by traffickers, it can also be a strategy employed by advocates and survivors. For example, a non-English speaking victim or survivor may benefit from a translation device such as a mobile application, to communicate with fellow residents at shelter. However, such technology should not be used in lieu of an interpreter for communication between advocates and victims. All technology in the domestic violence center should be carefully secured to protect the safety of all participants and staff. It is important that advocates work with survivors to safety plan around the use of technology. 20 INTERPRETATION AND TRANSLATION Trained and qualified interpreters are crucial in cases involving victims of trafficking with limited English proficiency or who are deaf or hard of hearing. Not only do they facilitate communication between the victim and the advocate, but they may be an excellent resource on the victim’s cultural and linguistic perspective. Interpreters should be offered in every aspect of the case, including support services, interviews with law enforcement, in the criminal/civil case, and when connecting victims with resources. Find an appropriate interpreter: Ask the victim if they prefer to work with an interpreter of a specific gender. Avoid volunteer interpreters unless they were trained in interpretation previously and have been identified by the agency prior to a specific case. Screen for potential conflicts of interest that the interpreter may have. Do not assume that the interpreter is qualified just because they speak the language. Be aware that although people may share the same language, there might be ethnic, cultural, or religious tensions between groups that might lead to miscommunication. Different social and educational backgrounds or regional dialects may lead to misunderstandings as well. Make every effort to obtain an interpreter who does not know the victim or the victim’s family or friends. Do not use family members or children as interpreters. Use only certified interpreters. Discuss protocol and expectations with the interpreter ahead of time: Do not assume the interpreter understands trafficking. Make sure that the interpreter is comfortable asking difficult questions related to exploitation. Understand that interpretation is a slow process. Interpreters may need breaks. The interpreter should interpret exactly what the victim and the advocate state. There should not be summaries or side conversations. If the interpreter needs clarification from the victim, the interpreter should inform the advocate that there is a need for clarification prior to additional communication with the victim. Interpreters or translators may come from a community where traffickers have strong connections. This can put the victim at great risk. It is important to build strong local alliances with ethnic-based community associations, interpretation services, and translator banks prior to requesting any services, in order to establish trust with common providers when seeking assistance. 20 21 Some benefits may only be available for a limited timeframe. For example, some refugee benefits are available for the first seven months and there is a four-year restriction of TANF benefits in Florida. Keep the victim at the center of the conversation: Prior to any conversation with the use of an interpreter, advocates should stress the importance of confidentiality with the interpreter and require that they sign a confidentiality agreement. At the start of each conversation, confidentiality should be reviewed in the presence of the victim. Ask questions in the first person and have the interpreter use the first person. Talk directly to the victim. Instead of saying, “Can you ask her if…” say “Can you tell me if…” If possible, keep the same interpreter throughout the case. 19“Bureau of Victim Compensation” FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AND ADVOCACY Victims of trafficking often do not have money and personal