The growing awareness of human trafficking in the United States and abroad requires government and human services agencies to reevaluate old policies and develop new ones for identifying and serving victims. Due to their potentially unstable living situations, physical distance from friends and family, traumatic experiences, and emotional vulnerability, children involved with child welfare are at risk for being targeted by traffickers who are actively seeking children to exploit. Therefore, it is imperative that child welfare agencies be at the forefront of the response to and prevention of human trafficking. Additionally, recent Federal legislation established new requirements for child welfare agencies related to identifying and serving minor victims of human trafficking.
This bulletin is intended for child welfare agency leadership and explores how child welfare agencies can support children who have been victimized as well as children that are at greater risk for future victimization. It provides background information about the issue, including its scope and relevant legislation and initiatives, and strategies that agencies can implement to address the trafficking of children. State and local policy and program examples also are provided.
