The U.S. government, recognizing the grave issue of child se x trafficking, established the National Advisory Committee on the Sex Trafficking of Children and Youth. This committee plays a crucial role in shaping the nation’s response to this heinous crime, directly advising both the Attorney General and the Secretary of Health and Human Services.
Established in collaboration with the Department of Justice and the National Governor’s Association, as mandated by the Preventing Sex Trafficking and Strengthening Families Act, the Committee serves as a vital advisory body. Its core mission is to enhance interventions and protective measures for children and youth vulnerable to or victimized by se x trafficking within family and broader societal contexts.
The Committee’s work has already produced significant resources, including two pivotal Congressional reports. These reports, titled “Best Practices and Recommendations for States” (2020) and “Preliminary State Self-Assessment Overview” (2022), offer guidance and assessments for states to strengthen their efforts against child se x trafficking.
The responsibilities of the National Advisory Committee are comprehensive and action-oriented:
- Providing expert advice on the creation and implementation of effective intervention strategies for children and youth at risk of or affected by se x trafficking within family structures and beyond.
- Recommending administrative and legislative changes to leverage federal resources, programs, and properties for establishing safe housing options for child se x trafficking victims who may come from or be connected to families.
- Developing tiered best practice recommendations for states to combat child se x trafficking, incorporating:
- Research-backed and promising models, including training materials and screening tools for identifying trafficking victims and at-risk individuals within family and social services settings.
- Multidisciplinary approaches for victim identification, case management, and service improvement, considering family dynamics and support systems.
- Sample protocols and recommendations for cross-system collaborations to address family-related aspects of trafficking.
- Criteria and guidelines for secure residential placements for foster children who have experienced se x trafficking, acknowledging family separation and reunification considerations.
- Training guidelines for caregivers serving children and youth outside their homes, including those from trafficking-affected families.
- Disseminating best practices and recommendations to state governors and child welfare agencies to promote family-centered and community-based solutions.
The National Advisory Committee on the Sex Trafficking of Children and Youth actively works to strengthen national and state-level responses. By focusing on best practices, informed recommendations, and resource utilization, the Committee contributes significantly to protecting vulnerable children and youth from Family Se X trafficking and exploitation.
