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  • Human Trafficking

Human Trafficking

Human trafficking, particularly sex trafficking, has become a point of emphasis in the child welfare field due to the high risk of exploitation for children and youth involved with child welfare. The resources in this section will help child welfare professionals, as well as those from related fields, to better understand the interplay of child welfare and human trafficking and develop comprehensive responses that assist victims and potential victims.

  • ACF and other Federal resources 
  • Federal laws and policies
  • Preventing human trafficking
  • Identifying human trafficking
  • Responding to human trafficking
  • State examples

Definitions of Human Trafficking

Series Title
State Statutes
Author(s)
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Availability
View
Download (PDF - 426KB)
Year Published
2020
Presents State criminal laws that define human trafficking, including involuntary servitude, forced labor and services, and sex trafficking of minors. Federal definitions of human trafficking and the inclusion of trafficking in civil child abuse definitions also are discussed.

Human Trafficking and Child Welfare: A Guide for Caseworkers

Series Title
Bulletins for Professionals
Author(s)
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Availability
View
Download (PDF - 278KB)
Order (Free)
Year Published
2017
Due to their potentially unstable living situations, physical distance from friends and family, traumatic experiences, and emotional vulnerability, children involved with child welfare are at risk for being targeted by traffickers who are actively seeking victims to exploit. This bulletin explores how caseworkers can identify and support children who have been victimized as well as children that are at greater risk for future victimization. It provides background information about the issue, strategies caseworkers can use to identify and support victims and potential victims, and tools and resources that can assist caseworkers.

Human Trafficking and Child Welfare: A Guide for Child Welfare Agencies

Series Title
Bulletins for Professionals
Author(s)
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Availability
View
Download (PDF - 357KB)
Order (Free)
Year Published
2017
Due to their potentially unstable living situations, physical distance from friends and family, traumatic experiences, and emotional vulnerability, children involved with child welfare are at risk for being targeted by traffickers who are actively seeking children to exploit. This bulletin is intended for child welfare agency leadership and explores how child welfare agencies can support children who are victims of human trafficking, as well as children who are at greater risk for future victimization. It provides background information about the issue, including its scope and relevant Federal legislation and initiatives, and strategies that agencies can implement to address the trafficking of children. State and local policy and program examples also are provided.

Responding to Child Victims of Human Trafficking

Series Title
State Statutes
Author(s)
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Availability
View
Download (PDF - 368KB)
Year Published
2019
Provides an overview of State laws related to how States must respond to meet the needs of children who have been subjected to sex trafficking. The issues discussed include the respective duties of child welfare and law enforcement agencies, training requirements, diversion of child victims from prosecution to appropriate services, the array of services provided, and ways of funding services and programs for victims. Summaries of laws for all States and U.S. territories are included.

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Spotlight On

What Is Human Trafficking?

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Office on Trafficking in Persons (2020)

Fact Sheet: Human Trafficking

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Office on Trafficking in Persons (2017)

Episode 3: Interagency Collaboration to Address Human Trafficking [Podcast]

Child Welfare Information Gateway (2016)

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