Understanding Child Labor Trafficking in the U.S.

• In Event: NIJ-Day: Advancing our Understanding of Labor Trafficking in the United States

Abstract

This study explores the trafficking of minors for the purposes of labor in the United States, addressing three main questions: First, what is the nature of child labor trafficking in the U.S. and how is it distinct from other forms of labor abuse involving children? Second, who are the perpetrators of child trafficking crimes (e.g., individuals, organized syndicates, families, etc.) and how do they operate? Third, how are cases of labor trafficking involving minors being identified and what are the challenges facing child serving agencies, including child protection and law enforcement, in identifying and responding to these cases? Methods include: 1) coding case records from federally prosecuted child labor trafficking cases and closed client cases from victim service providers in four sites across the U.S.; 2) interviewing victim service providers, legal providers, and child welfare agents; and 3) interviewing adult survivors of child labor trafficking to learn more about their experiences and needs. Findings may be used to 1) inform efforts to increase the identification of child labor trafficking, including the development of labor trafficking screening tools, and 2) guide responses to identified child labor trafficking, particularly where there are barriers to prosecution of perpetrators and support for victims.

Authors

• Amy Farrell, Northeastern University

• Meredith Dank, New York University

• Katherine Kaufka Walts, Loyola University Chicago

• Callie Hansson, Northeastern University

• Chlece Walker-Neal-Murray, Loyola University Chicago