Federal Strategic Action Plan on Services for Victims of Human Trafficking in the United States: Fiscal Year 2016 Status Report

• NCJ Number: 250643
• Date Published: August 2017
• Length: 75 pages
• Agencies: OVC
• Publication Type: Report (Annual/Periodic); Program/Project Description; Policy; Legislation/Policy Description

Annotation

Tables present the progress in achieving the two overarching themes and eight objectives of the Federal Strategic Action Plan on Services for Victims of Human Trafficking in the United States in fiscal year (FY) 2016.

Abstract

One overarching theme of the Action Plan is to integrate survivor experiences and input. One action on this theme was completed in FY 2014. A forum was hosted to hear from survivors of trafficking about effective, strategic, and meaningful ways to engage survivor groups. Other completed actions under this theme were the distribution of guidance to the USAO task forces encouraging survivor input where appropriate, as well as exploration of the creation of a public platform to receive ongoing feedback on the quality of services. Actions in progress for this theme are the engagement of non-governmental stakeholders, including survivors, in meetings twice a year and the integration of survivor experiences and perspectives into training and technical assistance materials. The other overarching theme for the Action Plan is "standard of care." The one action completed under this theme is the publishing of "Achieving Excellence: Model Standards for Serving Victims and Survivors of Crime." Another action under this theme has been delayed due to staffing capacity, i.e., the identification of minimum standards of care required by grant recipients. Progress is reported on the following objectives: 1) provide Federal leadership and direction to improve victims services; 2) coordinate victim services effectively through collaboration across multiple agencies; 3) establish baseline knowledge of human trafficking and victim service needs through research and reporting; 4) support the development of effective responses to victims; 5) increase victim identification; 6) build capacity to better identify and serve trafficking victims; 7) foster collaboration and partnerships; and 8) improve access to victim services.