Develop a multidisciplinary team approach for responding to child sex trafficking cases that result in prosecution. Discuss topics such as search warrants, what charges to bring and other considerations and/or prosecutions issues. Explore victim-centered approaches and strategies to deal with the unexpected.
Gain an understanding of child sex trafficking victim dynamics, perspectives on sex traffickers and how human trafficking is the second most profitable crime in the world. Case examples will be utilized throughout the course to highlight real world examples of child sex trafficking.
Criminal records of sex trafficking victims are known barriers to exiting sex trafficking situations. The link between committing crime while being a victim of sex trafficking, called forced criminality, has received little research attention. One aspect of forced criminality in sex trafficking situations includes ‘trick rolls’ which are the robberies of sex buyers. With the purpose of exploring forced criminality, this study examined 467 trick roll cases which are robberies conducted in a prostitution situation perpetrated by the sex seller, during one year in Las Vegas, Nevada. Trick roll cases involving sex trafficking victims were found to be more likely to involve multiple suspects (including their sex trafficker), begin at a bar/club or casino floor, involve the theft of more valuable items, more likely involve a weapon, and more likely to involve the injury of the sex buyer.
Child Protective Services (CPS) case workers encounter child sex trafficking victims during and following missing events in which extensive exploitation is occurring or has occurred. Examine when CPS has jurisdiction and a duty to investigate trafficking cases, along with why and how children go missing from care. Identify vulnerabilities and recognize factors which indicate sex trafficking. Often these recovered missing or abducted children do not disclose their exploitation when recovered or encountered by CPS. Analyze the bond the victim has with the trafficker and discover why disclosing is difficult for children. Identify approaches to protect children when you suspect trafficking but have no disclosure from the victim. Lastly, develop opportunities to collaborate with law enforcement and other professionals to identify and support CST victims.
Learn basic techniques and strategies to enhance the likelihood of obtaining information from possible victims of child sex trafficking. Compare and contrast typical child sexual abuse cases with child sex trafficking (CST) cases and address the different points of entry into the criminal justice and welfare system for CST victims. Understand various disciplines' roles and responsibilities and how they can contribute to a positive outcome of the CST case. Examine question strategy, interview dynamics, language use, and interview suggestions. Discuss the business model of child sex trafficking as it relates to a variety of crimes, including the use of child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
Hear first-hand from a survivor of gang sex trafficking, Allison, about the everyday life sacrifices made to make the moment livable. Discuss and gain insight into Allison’s survivor story of being sexually abused at a very young age, kidnapped by gang members, and forced into trafficking; and how her rescuer was, in fact, the real trafficker.
Child Sex Trafficking victims are a population of missing children that are in desperate need of system-based advocacy. Hear from CST advocacy experts who provide services to CST victims. One is a Law Enforcement based advocate who works alongside law enforcement and can also provide an NGO perspective; the second is a Child Protection Services supervisor with a strong background in fostering advocacy from within the Child Protection system. Listen to their hands-on experiences with CST victims and their promising practices for providing much needed services to these vulnerable victims.
Prosecuting sex trafficking of minor cases is difficult, in part because victims are unstable. Join us for this webinar to discuss building an investigation that allows the prosecutor to go to trial, even if the victim is unable to testify.
Investigating a child sex trafficking case while recognizing the need for advocacy throughout the process can be a challenge both for law enforcement and for advocates. Explore the different perspectives each bring to their contacts with victims. Identify 5 core values of partnership which will enable you to have a successful and productive team as you serve the most vulnerable of victims. Examine a victim’s perspective of a law enforcement-led advocacy team and hear how it impacted her life.
Describe how a team approach to investigations allow all members of a multidisciplinary team to work together to investigate cases involving child sex trafficking, and gather the evidence necessary to make a successful case. Discuss and identify charging decisions, trial preparation, accomplice testimony, defense strategies, and witness preparation.
