Victims No Longer: Research on Child Survivors of Trafficking for Sexual and Labor Exploitation in the United States, Final Report

• NCJ Number: 221891
• Author(s): Elzbieta Gozdziak Ph.D.; Micah N. Bump M.A.
• Date Published: 2008
• Length: 159 pages
• Grant Number(s): 2005-IJ-CX-0051
• Agencies: NIJ-Sponsored
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)

Annotation

In an attempt to improve the understanding of child trafficking and enhance the system of care, this federally supported study examined the patterns of abuse of child victims of trafficking for sexual and labor exploitation, analyzed the challenges service providers face in assisting child victims, and assessed prospects for integration of child survivors into the wider society.

Abstract

Several emerging themes within the realm of solutions and resolutions are identified; however, the ultimate solution is related to prevention and eradication of child trafficking. Recommendations presented in working toward solutions and resolutions include: (1) the need to earmark development resources to establish high quality educational programs in order to reduce child labor and prevent child trafficking; (2) the need for continued monitoring and assessments of both national and international initiatives to reduce child labor; (3) the need to shift away from monitoring industries and workplaces employing children to the monitoring of children removed from work; and (4) the need to enhance collaboration between actors in source and destination countries interested in reducing child labor and preventing child trafficking. Human trafficking for sexual exploitation and forced labor is one of the fastest growing areas of criminal activity. Supported by a grant from the U.S. Department of Justice, National Institute of Justice (NIJ), this report is based on findings from a 12-month study undertaken by the Institute for the Study of International Migration (ISIM) and the Migration and Refugee Services (MRS) to examine patterns of abuse of child victims of trafficking, explore the challenges faced by service providers assisting child victims, and examine ways to integrate child survivors of trafficking into society. The research focuses on the cohort of child victims receiving services through foster care and unaccompanied refugee minors (URM) programs. By analyzing patterns of victimization before emancipation as well as post-emancipation experiences of child survivors within the United States Federal system of care, this research project attempts to expand the knowledge base of the special service needs of child victims of trafficking, enhance treatment modalities, provide an understanding of repeat victimization, and take steps to prevent it in the future. Tables, figures, references and appendixes A-F