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.
RCJOHNSON448@GMAIL.COM
ABOUT PRESENTER
B E CCA C. JOHNSON, P H.D.
R CJOHNSON448@GM AIL.COM
B E CCA C. JOHNSON, P H.D.
JOHNSON
FAMILY
R CJOHNSON448@GM AIL.COM
Royal Family Kids
B E CCA C. JOHNSON, PH.D.
R CJOHNSON448@GM AIL.COM
GOALS
Increase AWARENESS
Encourage EMPATHY
Inspire to ACTION
B E CCA C. JOHNSON, P H.D.
R CJOHNSON448@GM AIL.COM
NO STRINGS ATTACHED
An activity demonstrating the many broken relationships
(and traumas) experienced by victims
BECCA C. JOHNSON, PH.D.
RCJOHNSON448@GMAIL.COM
LIST:
The TRAUMAS
The FEELINGS
The THOUGHTS & BELIEFS
BECCA C. JOHNSON, PH.D.
RCJOHNSON448@GMAIL.COM
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.
RCJOHNSON448@GMAIL.COM
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.
RCJOHNSON448@GMAIL.COM
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?
B E CCA C. JOHNSON, P H.D.
R CJOHNSON448@GM AIL.COM
THERE IS A PROBLEM, IT IS BIG AND
I CAN HELP SOLVE IT!
B E CCA C. JOHNSON, P H.D.
R CJOHNSON448@GM AIL.COM
HOW I GOT INVOLVED…
B E CCA C. JOHNSON, P H.D.
R CJOHNSON448@GM AIL.COM
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
TYPES OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING
Labor
Trafficking
Sex
Trafficking
Other
Trafficking
Foreign
Adult or Minor
Domestic
Adult or Minor
Foreign
Adult or Minor
Child Soldiers
Domestic
Adult or Minor
Involuntary
Organ Donor
Marriage/Adopti
on
– sex &/or labor
Drug Mule
Marriage/Adoption:
sex &/or labor
Bonded/Debt
Servant
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
 ________________
BECCA C. JOHNSON, PH.D.
RCJOHNSON448@GMAIL.COM
AND
INTERVENTION POINTS
B E CCA C. JOHNSON, P H.D.
R CJOHNSON448@GM AIL.COM
 “Normal”
 Enjoyment
 Meaning
 Sense of self
 Belonging
 Faith
 Morality
 Stability
 Boundaries
 Family
 Motivation
 Support
 Nurturing
 Treasures
 Future
 Respect
 Trust
 Healthy
 Safety
 Virginity
 Communication  Friends
skills
 Confidence
 Contentment
relationships
 Control
 Hope
 Dignity
 Identity
 Dreams
 Innocence
 Education
 Material
 Security
possessions
LOSSES:
B E CCA C. JOHNSON, PH.D.
R CJOHNSON448@GM AIL.COM
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)
B E CCA C. JOHNSON, P H.D.
R CJOHNSON448@GM AIL.COM
UNDERSTANDING TRAUMA
B E CCA C. JOHNSON, P H.D.
R CJOHNSON448@GM AIL.COM
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)
B E CCA C. JO HNSO N, P H.D.
R C JO HNSO N448@G M AIL.CO M
TRAUMA CONTINUUM BCJOHNSON, 2011
ONE PERSON – ONE EVENT
(NOT PERSON TO PERSON)
BECCA C. JOHNSON, PH.D.
RCJOHNSON448@GMAIL.COM
TRAUMA CONTINUUM
BCJOHNSON, 2011
ONE PERSON – ONE EVENT
(PERSON TO PERSON)
BECCA C. JOHNSON, PH.D.
RCJOHNSON448@GMAIL.COM
TRAUMA CONTINUUM
BCJOHNSON, 2011
ONE PERSON – MANY EXPERIENCES
(PERSON TO PERSON)
BECCA C. JOHNSON, PH.D.
RCJOHNSON448@GMAIL.COM
TRAUMA CONTINUUM
BCJOHNSON, 2011
ONE PERSON – MANY EXPERIENCES
(PERSON TO PERSON)
BECCA C. JOHNSON, PH.D.
RCJOHNSON448@GMAIL.COM
COMPLEX TRAUMA’S INSTABILITY
(BCJohnson, 2011)
MULTIPLICITY
INSTABILITY
INABILITY
Bumper cars and Team Stabilization
BECCA C. JOHNSON, PH.D. RCJOHNSON448@GMAIL.COM

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. RCJOHNSON448@GMAIL.COM
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, selfdestructive.
 Cognition—problems with perceptions, understanding, sustained
attention.
 Self-concept—low self-esteem, guilt and shame.
(Cook, Blaustein, Spinazzola, & van der Kolk, 2003)

TRAUMA SYMPTOMS
B E CCA C. JOHNSON, PH.D.
R CJOHNSON448@GM AIL.COM
INNER VOICES
A drama by
Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D., Licensed
Psychologist
Serving the Sexually Abused and Exploited
BECCA C. JOHNSON, PH.D.
RCJOHNSON448@GMAIL.COM
THE LIES OF TRAUMA:
SEXUAL ABUSE AND EXPLOITATION
Compiled by Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist
BECCA C. JOHNSON, PH.D.
RCJOHNSON448@GMAIL.COM
LIES
TRUTH
B E CCA C. JOHNSON, P H.D.
R CJOHNSON448@GM AIL.COM
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.


No one cares.
Good things won’t happen to
me.

I can’t do anything right.

I am to Blame.

I chose this life.

I can’t make good decisions.
B E CCA C. JOHNSON, P H.D.
R CJOHNSON448@GM AIL.COM
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 must not let things bother me.
 I must hide or ignore my
feelings.
 I‘ve got to take care of others.
 I can’t trust myself.
 Everyone thinks like he does
(the abuser)
 I am a bad person (worthless).
B E CCA C. JOHNSON, P H.D.
 I gotta be tough and not let
things bother me.
 Love hurts.
 This is what I deserve.
 It’s helpless (the situation).
 I’m helpless.
 I’m hopeless.
 This is as good as it gets.
 This IS my life.
R CJOHNSON448@GM AIL.COM
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?
B E CCA C. JOHNSON, P H.D.
R CJOHNSON448@GM AIL.COM
VICTIM REALITY:
COMMON FEELINGS FROM AN UNCOMMON EXPERIENCE
➡Distrusting
➡Dependent
➡Dream-less
➡Depressed
➡Discouraged
➡Devastated
➡Dejected
➡Damaged-goods
➡Disregarded
➡Demoralized
B E CCA C. JOHNSON, P H.D.
R CJOHNSON448@GM AIL.COM
➡Down-trodden
➡Demeaned
➡Disposable
➡Dehumanized
➡Defiled
➡Devalued
➡Deceived
➡Dirty
➡Desperate
➡Disconnected
➡Destroyed
➡Detached
➡Dumb
➡Dead
➡Dissociative
➡Doubt-filled
(BCJohnson, 2012)
SOCIETY
VS GOD PERSPECTIVES
Society
GOD
rebellious
runaways
trouble-maker
deviant
_____________________
_____________________
_____________________
_____________________
_____________________
_____________________
B E CCA C. JOHNSON, P H.D.
R CJOHNSON448@GM AIL.COM
beloved
son/daughter
precious
special
STRENGTH-BASED APPROACH
The RFK Mailbox Story
T.R.A.C.,
THIS is who you
work with.
BECCA C. JOHNSON, PH.D.
RCJOHNSON448@GMAIL.COM
T.R.A.C.,
You intervene.
You do prevention.
You make a difference.
BECCA C. JOHNSON, PH.D.
RCJOHNSON448@GMAIL.COM
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.
RCJOHNSON448@GMAIL.COM