Human trafficking is an urgent issue in Ventura County today, driving our curiosity due to its disturbingly low reporting rates and the pervasive lack of awareness within our local community. Our research focuses on examining the efficacy of two local programs aimed at supporting trafficking victims, with a keen interest in understanding their impact on community awareness, their target demographic, and their strategies for preventing victims from falling back into trafficking situations. Moreover, we aim to critically analyze the portrayal of human trafficking in the media and its potential consequences. Our research methodology involved a comprehensive approach, including gathering victim data from the Ventura County Family Justice Center, conducting interviews with the Interface Children and Family Services’ Human Trafficking Task Force, and conducting a thorough examination of local news coverage. Through our investigation, we have uncovered valuable insights into the utilization patterns of survivor services and the complex barriers preventing many victims from seeking assistance. Additionally, we have identified common concerns among survivors regarding seeking help, offering important glimpses into the intricate dynamics of human trafficking within our community. By sharing our findings, we aspire to foster a deeper understanding of this pressing issue among our peers and society at large. Beyond academic inquiry, our ultimate goal is to advocate for meaningful change and support efforts to combat human trafficking, thereby contributing to the creation of a safer and more informed community for all individuals.

Poster Presentation

Session 1

9:15am – 10:30am
Grand Salon

Sociology

Scholars have attempted to emphasize the importance of supporting survivors of domestic violence. It has become accepted that one in four women will be the victim of domestic violence at some point within their lives. When studying the dynamic of recidivism within acts of domestic violence, scholars have not been able to properly share the challenges that victims face. Many people within society are not familiar with how this affects the individual post incident. Many times the woman in the case of a repeat offense is blamed even though she is the one experiencing another traumatizing event. This response is unjust, and we should instead look at underlying factors that may lead to an answer of why this happens. In order to gain better insight of this issue, I have examined the Family Justice Center of Ventura County. The Family Justice Center, also known as the FJC, is a resource and support center for those affected by domestic violence. Based on the FJC’s intake data from 2019-2023 they have aided roughly 15,000 individuals. More than 300 have been repeat visitors. In an attempt to predict why this many people have suffered repeat instances of domestic violence, I have created a quantitative study using chi-square and regression analysis tests that determines which factors lead to higher rates of recidivism in cases of domestic violence. Preliminary analyses of the Ventura County FJC’s intake data suggest that age, primary language, and city are statistically significant, while gang affiliation is not.

Poster Presentation

Session 1

9:15am – 10:30am
Grand Salon

Sociology

Music is a powerful universal medium that transcends a variety of barriers. Unfortunately, the music industry reflects sex hierarchies as males outnumber females in: occupation, profits, professional acknowledgment and more. Researchers have studied these inequalities, but there is little research done over the self perception an artist has over their own musical control and whether that differs between males and females. I asked whether there are gender differences in artists’ perception of their musical control (in which I defined as their self recognition of their professionalism and their personal creative production control). I hypothesized that male artists will have higher perceived control over their music and a higher chance of calling themselves professionals than women. I conducted a secondary data analysis of “Taking Note: A Study of Composers and New Music Activity in the U.S.”, collected in 2008. I used a Chi-Squared Test and a T-test to examine whether or not there was a significant gender difference between the artists’ perceptions of their own musical control. I found that there was no significant difference between male and female artists’ in their self consideration as a professional, perhaps because of the selection effects (participants who were already professionals were selected for this study). In addition, I also found that females perform more of their own music than males. This could be the case as performing their own music may be a last resort for female artists’ who struggle more in getting hired for other musical professional positions. Change still needs to happen within the music industry as broader discrimination against females permeates the industry.

Poster Presentation

Session 1

9:15am – 10:30am
Grand Salon

Sociology

Past research has highlighted a significant gap in understanding and addressing domestic violence experienced by LGBTQ+ members, suggesting a need for tailored support services. This paper examines the unique dynamics and commonalities in experiences of domestic violence between LGBTQ+ and heterosexual individuals, aiming to inform the development of inclusive support services. Researchers unanimously acknowledge that LGBTQ individuals experience domestic violence at similar or possibly higher rates compared to their heterosexual counterparts, underscoring the prevalence and significance of this issue (Woulfe1 & Goodman, 2018; Whitfield et al., 2021; Bukowski et al., 2019). Furthermore, research has revealed LGBTQ+ individuals reported high levels of internalized homophobia, with instances of verbal and physical victimization suggesting a potential link between negative sentiments about one’s sexual orientation and the perpetration of violence against same-sex partners (Reyes et al., 2022).
To investigate LGBTQ+ experiences of domestic violence, this study focuses on same-sex cases within the Family Justice Center (FJC) dataset from Ventura, California. By analyzing variables in the data such as “”Perpetrator Relationship”” and “”Reason for Visit,”” the study aims to understand relationship dynamics and motives for seeking support. Cross-referencing with other sources enriches the study’s depth and scope.
Anticipated findings include connections between domestic violence indicators and factors such as sexual orientation, socio-demographic variables, and relationship dynamics. Specifically, understanding the gender of both perpetrator and victim informs interventions and support services sensitive to the needs and challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals. These interventions address power dynamics, societal stigmas, and barriers to seeking help, ultimately contributing to more inclusive and effective support services.

Poster Presentation

Session 1

9:15am – 10:30am
Grand Salon

Sociology

Domestic abuse is a widespread problem that impacts people from all walks of life, including those who are part of the LGBTQ+ community. Although most research on intimate partner violence has mainly concentrated on heterosexual relationships, there is an increasing acknowledgment of the distinct difficulties and dynamics present in domestic abuse within LGBTQ+ relationships. This study investigates the intricate nature of domestic abuse in LGBTQ+ relationships, delving into how gender identity, sexual orientation, race, and other societal factors intersect to shape experiences of abuse and the availability of support services.

The study aims to delve into the dynamics of domestic abuse within LGBTQ+ relationships and assess the effectiveness of current intervention strategies, with a specific focus on the success rates of restraining orders. By investigating the unique challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals in abusive relationships and the potential benefits of restraining orders in addressing these issues, the study seeks to shed light on this often-overlooked area.

The quantitative analysis involves a comparative examination of the efficacy of restraining orders for LGBTQ+ individuals versus non-LGBTQ+ individuals. Factors such as the nature of harassment or violence, the characteristics of the parties involved, and variations in legal frameworks across different jurisdictions are considered. Additionally, the qualitative component of the study delves into the lived experiences, challenges, and outcomes of LGBTQ+ individuals navigating the process of obtaining and enforcing restraining orders.

Poster Presentation

Session 1

9:15am – 10:30am
Grand Salon

Sociology

I will be presenting a poster which describes my experience as a paid research assistant at California State University Channel Islands during the Fall 2023 and Spring 2024 semesters. Specifically, my capacity to highlight experiences of research assistantship derives from the work I have been doing with Dr. Sanchez, a sociology faculty member, on three of his projects. Sharing my own experiences provides the opportunity to illuminate to other students, and possible future student research assistants, what it may look like to conduct research beyond the classroom. Overall, I will be detailing various elements including the lessons I have learned as a student research assistant (e.g., the significance of building bonds with faculty), the reality of being a research assistant (i.e., demystifying undergraduate research), as well as short explanations of the projects I have been working on. Importantly, this research consists of areas which I had little to no knowledge of prior to my work with Dr. Sanchez, thus enabling me to discuss the ways in which I have become more versed in crucial topics that I had not learned about inside of the classroom. In presenting my own experiences with undergraduate research assistantship, I will not only further other students’ knowledge of the fact that this is a possibility for them, which is critical as many students are unaware of paid assistantships of this nature, but I furthermore will likely portray the feasibility of such.

Poster Presentation

Session 2

1:00pm – 2:15pm
Grand Salon

Sociology

Domestic violence remains a pervasive issue with multifaceted consequences necessitating effective intervention strategies. This article will examine the influence of demographic factors, namely age, gender, and ethnicity, on the propensity of domestic violence victims returning to the Ventura Family Justice Center (VFJC) for assistance. Our study will begin discussing age as a significant determinant, whereby younger victims often encounter distinct barriers accessing justice centers. Conversely, older victims may face challenges associated with societal perceptions of domestic violence in later life. We will also look into the impact of gender dynamics with respect to disparities and stigmatization for women seeking assistance. Lastly, our research shows ethnic minority groups encounter systematic obstacles stemming from language barriers, cultural norms, and mistrust of authorities, thereby influencing their decision to go back to the offender.
With these factors in mind we will examine the extent to which demographic factors, such as, age, gender, and ethnicity, influence recidivism rates of domestic violence victims returning to the VFJC. This study will focus on quantitative research methods collected from the datasets the VFJC has provided based off of intake forms. We will look at domestic violence victims and specifically study those who have returned to the center for a second time with a new case. Through gathered information, we consider age ranging from 18-60+, gender, as well as the victims’ ethnicity. The data gathered was collected over a three-year span between 2020 to newly updated data of March 2024. My expected findings are that demographic factors will prove to have an effect on why domestic violence victims return back to abusive partnerships that cause them to also return to the VFJC, we can also assume that gender will be the most prevalent variable to influence this outcome. Through a comprehensive look at these demographic factors, this article contributes to a deeper understanding of the complexities surrounding domestic violence victims and recidivism.

Poster Presentation

Session 1

9:15am – 10:30am
Grand Salon

Sociology

Occupational sex segregation—the underrepresentation (or overrepresentation) of a sex in a certain occupation—affects women’s experiences in jobs, including sexual harassment and discrimination. How does sex composition in an occupation affect women’s experiences with workplace bullying? I hypothesize that women will experience more workplace bullying in a female-dominated occupation than women in a male-dominated occupation. I conducted a secondary data analysis of the 2012 General Social Survey, and I restricted my sample to 1,089 female respondents, not including those in military branches. I estimated Pearson’s Correlation Coefficients to look for a relationship between the percentage of female workers in an industry and women’s experiences with bullying, but I found no support for my hypothesis. I found that women experience fewer bullying characteristics as more women are present in an occupation. Contrary to my hypothesis, this study shows that women experience more workplace bullying in a male dominated occupation with no statistical significance.

Poster Presentation

Session 1

9:15am – 10:30am
Grand Salon

Sociology

Gang members are known to society as violent criminals who commit many different types of crimes, including murder, theft, and street vandalism. These crimes are reported and shown to the public, but gang members also commit domestic violence crimes that lead to protection orders against them. These cases are meant to stay private in order to keep victims safe; therefore, we don’t know exactly how many gang members have protection orders against them.
Researchers have neglected to specify the types of people who obtain protection orders against them, primarily focusing on those who receive the protection order for their safety. Since gang members are perceived as violent individuals and part of criminal organizations, are they more likely to receive a protection order against them, given that the government typically seeks to administer maximum punishment when they are charged with a crime? In this study, we will discuss whether protection orders are more likely to be granted if the offender is a gang member.
Taking the quantitative approach, we will gather data from the Family Justice Center (FJC) from previous cases where gang members obtained protection orders against them. We expect to find that gang members are more likely to obtain a protection order against them due to their history of violent crimes and the perception of them as dangerous individuals in the eyes of the court.

Poster Presentation

Session 1

9:15am – 10:30am
Grand Salon

Sociology

Scholarship indicates that perceived precarity of a man’s masculinity influences men’s decisions to engage in extramarital relations (Munsch 2015; Schrock and Schwalbe 2009; Walker 2020; Willer et al. 2013). Infidelity is directly correlative of marital instability and subsequent dissolution, both of which are associated with increased propensity for several psychological disorders, depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem (Amato and Rogers 1997; Cano and O’Leary 2000; Previti and Amato 2004). Through a comprehensive understanding of the influence of masculinity on men’s relational behaviors, we can develop strategies for unlearning these detrimental attitudes. Prior research has limited the measure of masculinity to that of breadwinner status, and nationally-representative literature on the subject is virtually non-existent post-2011 (Munsch 2015). The purpose of this study is to explore the question: how does self-perceived masculinity influence heterosexual men’s perceptions of and engagement in marital infidelity? I hypothesize that there is a positive correlation between self-perceived masculinity and marital infidelity, meaning the more masculine a man perceives himself, the more likely he is to engage in and condone infidelity behaviors. Using secondary data analysis, I examined 167 heterosexual married men’s attitudes and engagement in infidelity behaviors using the 2022 General Social Survey and Next-Steps follow-up survey. I found no evidence in my t-tests or pearson’s correlation to support my hypothesis of a positive relationship between self-perceived masculinity and men’s attitudes and engagement in infidelity behaviors. This absence of evidence suggests that there is no relationship between a man’s self-perceived masculinity and their attitudes and engagement in infidelity behaviors; however, in order to fully develop an understanding of this topic, a more encompassing survey instrument should be designed with the sole purpose of examining the relationship between self-perceived masculinity and infidelity behaviors. This instrument should include more robust questions regarding infidelity behaviors by considering: sex acts beyond vaginal intercourse, nonsexual emotional affairs and online infidelity behaviors.

Poster Presentation

Session 1

9:15am – 10:30am
Grand Salon

Sociology