Human Trafficking Diversion Courts for Minors: Reconciling Safe Harbor and Diversion

• In Event: Specialty Courts and Considerations in Juvenile Justice

Abstract

Despite legislation across the U.S. defining youth engaging in commercial sex as victims, minors continue to be arrested for prostitution-related crimes. There are efforts to implement non-criminalization statutes in every state to protect youth from being identified as offenders. Concurrently, human trafficking prevention courts are being implemented across the country, following in the footsteps of other problem-solving courts. This genre focuses on adults and minors engaging in commercial sex but varies in terms of eligibility, definitions of success, etc. Research on these courts is limited, especially as related to minors. Further, the impact of non-criminalization statutes on these courts has not been investigated. This paper offers an introduction to a 36-month exploratory analysis of human trafficking courts for minors. Preliminary findings and next steps in the research process will be discussed. This research is being supported by the U.S. Office for Victims of Crime.

Author

• Wendy Stickle, University of Maryland / U.S. Office for Victims of Crimes