SAFE Court: Examining the Effectiveness of a Misdemeanor Prostitution Diversion Program

• In Event: Responses to Human Trafficking in the United States

Abstract

Young adults charged with the crime of prostitution (sellers) suffer long term consequences resulting from a conviction. In addition, research suggests that individuals in sex work, regardless of how they got there, have a myriad of needs including physical, sexual, and mental health problems, substance abuse, poverty, homelessness, and limited educational and employment opportunities. Launched in April 2015, the goal of SAFE (Survivors Acquiring Freedom and Empowerment) Court is to address the acute needs of individuals involved in prostitution, with the end goal of diverting the person not only out of the CJS, but also out of the lifestyle. SAFE Court recognizes young adults ages 17-25 charged with misdemeanor prostitution as a population at increased risk of future exploitation (victimization), and uses structured and tailored services to address their specialized needs. Programs like SAFE Court represent a dramatic shift in the way prosecutors in Texas address prostitution. SAFE Court combines a specialty court therapeutic model with supervised intervention for individuals charged with misdemeanor prostitution between the ages of 17-25. An overview of SAFE Court including the court’s development and implementation, client characteristics, treatment needs and outcomes (program compliance, completion and recidivism), and challenges/opportunities for change will be presented.

Author

• Lisa ReNae Muftic, Sam Houston State University