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                            Library & Multimedia
 Post-implementation of a Safe Harbor law in the US: Review of state administrative data
NCJ Number
              301597
Journal

*Child Abuse & Neglect* Volume: 101 Dated: 2020
Author(s)
          J. Cole;
                        G. Sprang
Date Published

2020
Annotation
              Using administrative data, this study investigated the impact of a safe harbor law enacted in one U.S. state.
Abstract
              Safe harbor laws have been implemented to change the way systems of care respond to juveniles exploited in commercial sex in the United States; however, there is little research on the way these laws have impacted the identification and rehabilitation of juveniles. The current study examined secondary data on juveniles with prostitution-related charges from 2007 to 2017 (n = 17); juveniles who were screened for human trafficking by juvenile court personnel (n = 56,937); (3) screenings for human trafficking with juveniles in the juvenile justice system (n = 12,223); and (4) juveniles who were reported to the child welfare agency as possible victims of human trafficking (n = 697). The number of criminal cases of human trafficking involving victims under the age of 18 years old from 2007 to 2017 were analyzed by calendar year (n = 61). Aggregate, administrative data were accessed and analyzed. Findings indicate that juvenile justice and juvenile court personnel were screening for trafficking at an increasing rate and making referrals to the child welfare system as mandated by law; however, a relatively low percentage of these cases were substantiated, confirmed, and/or resulted in criminal charges to the trafficker. Despite safe harbor mandates that prohibit the charging of juveniles with prostitution offenses, there was evidence that this is still occurring in small numbers. Based on these findings, researchers have identified next steps to facilitate future investigations of safe harbor laws. (publisher abstract modified)
      
  
          Additional Details
Grant Number(s)
        2015-MU-MU-0009


  
  
        
  Agencies
        NIJ-Sponsored


  
  
        
  Award
        Sex Trafficking of Minors: The Impact of Legislative Reform and Judicial Decision Making in Metropolitan and Non-Metropolitan Communities
    
  
  
Date Published: January 1, 2020
    
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                Prostitution
        Juvenile (under 18)
        Juvenile justice
        Juvenile prostitution
        Adults (18+)



  
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