Findings from a National Survey on Law Enforcement Investigations of Youth Commercial Sexual Exploitation and Trafficking

Session Submission Type: Complete Thematic Panel

Abstract/Description

Investigations of commercial sexual exploitation and trafficking of children can be challenging for law enforcement agencies, who are under increasing pressure to identify victims, ensure their safety, and provide them with needed services. This panel presents data from a study conducted by the Crimes against Children Research Center (CCRC) and funded by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) entitled: Trends & New Directions in the Law Enforcement Response to the Sex Trafficking of Minors: A Nationally Representative Study. The research team gathered quantitative data on CST investigations from a national sample of law enforcement agencies examining case characteristics, investigation procedures, and progress and challenges to victim-centered police-work in these cases. Additionally, key informant interviews were conducted with over 80 law enforcement officers, prosecutors, and service providers who work with CST victims in communities around the country. Panel papers provide findings on police investigation procedures, variation in agency level policies and approaches to trafficking cases, insights from prosecutors, and community perspectives on supporting victims.

Sub Unit

• Area V. Victimization / 36. Policy and Prevention of Victimization

Individual Presentations

• Victim service and community engagement: Understanding law enforcement responses to child sex trafficking cases - Lisa Jones, University of New Hampshire; Kimberly Mitchell, University of New Hampshire; Jennifer O'Brien, University of New Hampshire

• Law enforcement agency practices and policies for the investigation of child sex trafficking: Are agencies using a victim-centered approach? - Kimberly Mitchell, University of New Hampshire; Jennifer O'Brien, University of New Hampshire; Lisa Jones, University of New Hampshire; Alli Puchlopek-Adams, University of New Hampshire

• “It is not a victimless crime”: Qualitative insights from prosecutors working on cases related to technology facilitated commercial sexual exploitation of children - Jennifer O'Brien, University of New Hampshire; Gina Zwerling Kahn, University of New Hampshire; Leanne Gast, University of New Hampshire; Kimberly Mitchell, University of New Hampshire

• Police practices and protocols for child survivors of commercial sexual exploitation: Successes, challenges, and lessons-learned - Jennifer O'Brien, University of New Hampshire; Kimberly Mitchell, University of New Hampshire; Lisa Jones, University of New Hampshire; Gina Zwerling Kahn, University of New Hampshire