Screening for Human Trafficking by the Florida Juvenile Justice System

• In Event: Florida Juvenile Justice: Trending Topics, Advancements in Data and Research, and Statewide Systemic Responses

Abstract

Estimates of the prevalence of Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC) in the United States are as high as 200,000 annually, with perhaps double that number at risk. Many of these youth come to the attention of juvenile justice delinquency authorities. In 2015, the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) began screening youth with identified risk factors for CSEC and referring flagged youth to the state's child abuse hotline managed by the Department of Children and Families (DCF). The study at hand evaluates significant between-group differences between the CSEC population of youth and all Florida delinquent youth, including Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) scores and abuse report outcomes. Descriptive data and subgroup differences are also presented. Florida and national policy implications are discussed, as well as the potential for identification and prevention of CSEC youth at an earlier age.

Authors

• Nathan Epps, Florida Department of Juvenile Justice

• Bethany Gilot, Florida Department of Juvenile Justice

• Sherry Jackson, Florida Department of Juvenile Justice

• Kristy Colella, Florida Department of Juvenile Justice