Human Trafficking among Juvenile Justice Involved, Child Welfare Involved, and Crossover Youth in Florida

• In Event: Improving Identification and Services for Trafficking Victims

Abstract

The child welfare system plays a pivotal role in identifying and responding to minor and youth victims of human trafficking. There is increasing recognition that youth who have experienced human trafficking – or are at risk of victimization – are also served within the juvenile justice system. Yet little is known about human trafficking victimization among youth within the juvenile justice population, or youth with both child welfare and juvenile justice involvement (crossover youth). This presentation will describe new research with system-involved crossover youth who are the subject of investigated allegations of human trafficking in Florida. Building on previous research with child welfare involved youth, we describe characteristics and system experiences among youth with human trafficking allegations who have been involved in both systems. Analyses are based on linked administrative data for a ten-year birth cohort of youth who have encountered both systems.

Authors

• Stacey Cutbush, RTI International

• Samuel Scaggs, RTI International

• Stephen Tueller, RTI International

• Marianne Kluckman, RTI International

• John Haggerty, RTI International