Children and youth in foster care have a higher risk of experiencing trafficking and sexual exploitation. Youth who identify as LGBTQIA2S+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, intersex, asexual, Two-Spirit, or other gender or sexual identity) or who run away from care may be particularly vulnerable.
Federal laws, such as the Preventing Sex Trafficking and Strengthening Families Act, the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act, and the Trafficking Victims Prevention and Protection Reauthorization Act, help lay the groundwork for how child welfare and other agencies should respond and collaborate in these cases and establish prevention programs.
Explore the resources on this page to learn more about the risk factors and signs of trafficking and sexual exploitation and best practices in identifying, responding, and supporting children and youth who are or are at risk of experiencing trafficking or sexual exploitation, as well as their families.
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ACYF-CB-IM-14-03
The purpose of this Information Memorandum is to inform states and Tribes of the enactment of the Preventing Sex Trafficking and Strengthening Families Act (P.L. 113-183) and provide basic information on the new law.
Definitions of Human Trafficking
Presents State criminal laws defining human trafficking, including involuntary servitude, forced labor and services, sex trafficking of minors, Federal definitions of human trafficking and the inclusion of trafficking in civil child abuse definitions ...Read More
Responding to Child Victims of Human Trafficking
Discusses how States must respond to meet the needs of children who’ve been subjected to sex trafficking, duties of child welfare and law enforcement agencies, training requirements, and ways of funding services and programs for victims.
Human Trafficking and Child Welfare: A Guide for Caseworkers
Explores how caseworkers can identify and support children and youth who’ve been victimized and those with risk factors for future victimization including background information, strategies to identify and support victims, and links to resources.
Human Trafficking and Child Welfare: A Guide for Child Welfare Agencies
Explores how child welfare agencies can identify and support children and youth who’ve been victimized and those with risk factors for future victimization including background information, relevant legislation, and strategies to address trafficking.
Preventing Sex Trafficking and Strengthening Families Act (P.L. 113–183) Implementation
Provides information and resources to support the implementation of the act provisions.
SOAR for Human Trafficking Screening for Child Welfare Professionals
Find a training on strategies, tools, and requirements for screening a child or youth for potential human trafficking experiences; how to recognize indicators of trafficking; and what should be included in trafficking screening documentation.
SOAR for Safety Planning and Multidisciplinary Response for Child Welfare Professionals
Find a trauma-informed, culturally responsive training for child welfare professionals and others on the components of safety planning to mitigate the risk of human trafficking and the benefit of a multidisciplinary response to human trafficking.