Sport Trafficking: An International Perspective on Safeguarding Young Athletes

This presentation is CEU Eligible

Drawing from Mission 89's Global Thematic Report on Sport Trafficking, this presentation provides social work and clinical professionals with an evidence-based understanding of sport trafficking as a distinct form of human trafficking requiring specialized intervention.

The session will examine how sport trafficking manifests across three dimensions: exploitation within sport itself (fraudulent contracts, forced competition, servitude conditions), exploitation through sport as a gateway to other forms of trafficking, and exploitation linked to mega sporting events.

The presentation will explore why traditional anti-trafficking frameworks often fail to recognize athletes as victims, the psychological impact of dreams weaponized for exploitation, and how unregulated recruitment systems create vulnerabilities. Particular attention will be given to the interdisciplinary approach needed—where social workers, psychologists, legal professionals, and sports institutions must collaborate to protect young people pursuing athletic excellence.

As sports clinicians working directly with athletes and their families, ASWIS members are uniquely positioned to identify warning signs, provide trauma-informed care, and advocate for safeguarding policies within sporting organizations. This session will equip participants with practical knowledge to recognize exploitation, support affected athletes, and contribute to prevention efforts within their professional practice.

Join us on April 17 at 12:00pm ET

Impact of Substance Use on Sport Performance

This presentation is CEU Eligible

Athletes continue to use an array of substances that impact their health and performance. With each substance having a potential for ergogenic or ergolytic impact, this presentation will review current information on cannabis and vaping, demonstrating the impact on sport performance. Highlighting potency, products and marketing being used toward athletes.

This presentation will share up-to-date information regarding the impact of cannabis on mental and physical effects of cannabis use, sleep, injury, emotional acuity and perception of risk. It will review the current diagnostic information and common exchanges between organizations and athletes in order to have an intelligent cannabis conversation.

Dr. Bader has worked in the mental health and substance use field for over 20 years. She graduated from the University of North Texas in 2007 with a PhD in counseling psychology and specialization in sport psychology and completed her postdoctoral fellowship in Chemical Dependency at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. She is a Licensed Psychologist, Licensed Addiction Counselor, and Certified Mental Performance Consultant working with elite athletes and teams.

Dr. Bader has worked in a variety of treatment settings including residential, outpatient, private practice, and Native American health care. She spends time in the sport environment in collegiate athletic departments, working with professional teams and organizations, and Olympic athletes. She compliments the multi-disciplinary team at Women’s Recovery by serving as the Chief Clinical Officer, advancing treatment for women. Additionally, she maintains a private practice offering counseling, consultation, educational presentations, teaching, training and sport psychology services. She is a consultant for Major League Baseball and has contributed to Cannabis in Medicine, Weed Inked, medical board review study guides, and currently working on her own contribution to the recovery literature.

Join us on May 11th at 1:00pm ET