Prevention of Child Trafficking in Massachusetts

• In Event: Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking and the Child Welfare Population

Abstract

After passing the human trafficking law in 2012, Massachusetts has seen various initiatives to improve methods to identify and respond to child trafficking. On the basis of an action research model, researchers at Northeastern University evaluate child trafficking responses in a five-year project and focus on the sustainability and effectiveness of (i) statewide partnerships; (ii) regional child trafficking multidisciplinary teams (MDTs); (iii) capacity of DCF and nonprofit and governmental partners; and (iv) statewide policy and system development. Northeastern University has worked with the Child Advocacy Center Suffolk to develop a child welfare trafficking database in which risk factors and responses can be monitored. The project has put forward preliminary results in the areas of identification, monitoring and responding to the needs of youths who are vulnerable for commercial sexual exploitation, labor exploitation or trafficking.

Authors

• Ieke de Vries, Northeastern University, Boston

• Amy Farrell, Northeastern University