Project Description

Trafficking of male and female minor victims for sex or labor is a problem of growing concern, but there are insufficient data on the topic. Better information about the number and characteristics of trafficked minors is needed to support effective strategies to prevent trafficking, provide services to its victims, and prosecute its perpetrators. In this study, funded by the U.S. Department of Justice, National Institute of Justice (NIJ), RTI researchers are addressing this knowledge gap through analyses of statewide administrative data in Florida. Since implementation of its Safe Harbor Act, Florida has received more than 5,000 allegations of human trafficking involving minor victims. Analyses will address the presumed underreporting of minor victim trafficking by describing the number and characteristics of identified victims and statistically modeling the extent of unidentified victimization within the child welfare population. Findings will support empirically informed recommendations for service development, program planning, and policymaking within the fields of criminal justice, child welfare, and juvenile justice at federal, state, local, and tribal levels.

Project Partners
Department of Justice NIJ
Project Open
Open
Countries