There are many avenues through which minor victims of trafficking enter the juvenile justice system. Due to the power and control exercised by their traffickers, victims are often forced or coerced to commit crimes they otherwise would not commit. Many victims of trafficking enter the criminal justice system for offenses committed as a direct result of their trafficking. Some of these crimes will be status offenses such as truancy, curfew violations, and running away, which are all warning signs of potential trafficking. Others may be more serious crimes, such as theft, drug possession, and assault. Once involved in the juvenile justice system, young people can be cyclically trapped in the system through a slow process of cases and probation violations. As such, it is particularly important to screen youth who are entering the system under status offenses, because this step may help identify victims of sex trafficking earlier.
Frequently Asked Questions About Preventing the Criminalization of Minor Victims of Trafficking
09/26/23
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