Understanding Differences in Service Access and Outcomes for Trafficking Victims: Data from the Love 146 Survivor Care Program

• In Event: Improving Identification and Services for Trafficking Victims

Abstract

Policy makers have urged the development of interventions and programs that can provide child sex trafficking (CST) victims with needed services to reduce the likelihood of re-victimization and improve health and education goals. However, there is little information about who accesses CST victim services and what service trajectories and outcomes look like for these youth. The current study analyzed data from a child trafficking victim service agency, Love 146, to understand which youth are most likely to access more services, over longer periods of time, and with positive outcomes. Youth accessing services had a high-level of adversity histories including prior child welfare involvement (83%), prior juvenile justice involvement (33%), running away (78%), and substance abuse (60%). Youth services from the Survivor Care program ranged from a single service for some, to over 400 client contacts for others (mean=41.3, SD=60). Findings indicated that successful service access and outcomes are affected by the level of need of the youth accessing services, and the level of supports available to help them maintain service connections over time.

Authors

• Lisa M. Jones, University of New Hampshire

• Jennifer O'Brien, University of New Hampshire

• Kimberly Mitchell, Crimes against Children Research Center