Welcome to DCF’s Response to Human Trafficking and Sexually Exploited Children and Youth

Legislative Historical Context 2004 SB No Interagency Task Force on Trafficking in Persons - DCF Appointed 2005 DCF commences HT Training with focus on international victims 2006 SB 153 = PA No – Criminal penalties established 2007 SB OVA/Judicial Contract with NGOs for services – Adult/International 2007 SB 398 = PA No – Trafficking in Persons Council – Adult/International 2010 SB 153 = Public Act No “ AN ACT PROVIDING A SAFE HARBOR FOR EXPLOITED CHILDREN” (CSEC / DMST) 2011 SB 1044 eff. 10/1/11 “AN ACT REQUIRING THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES TO BE NOTIFIED WHEN A YOUTH IS ARRESTED FOR PROSTITUTION.” (CSEC/DMST)

DCF Internal Response Time Line 2005 HT training – focus international and investigative (3x year in service) 2008 (April call from IIC re. possible international child victim. Hotline staff and IIC created protocol on spot) 2009 DCF HT team established to create response policies and protocols Eff Implemented HT Policy & Procedures Expand training to all agency staff

Legislative Focus Training and Public Awareness Services to Trafficking Victims (International – adult sex and labor trafficking victims) Funding Appropriations for Anti- Trafficking Activities Changed From Criminals to Victims Protection and Services

CT DCF HT Child Victim Data Number of victims: 2008 victims victims victims victims 13 Trafficking type: DMST/CSE Vulnerability: All victims were on runaway/AWOL status; All victims had experienced sexual abuse and/or neglect Gender: 100% female Age range: 13 – 18 Referrals: DCF Social Workers, Law enforcement, congregate care facilities, CSSD, public defenders’ office, NGOs

Hotline Intake - The Initial Agency Response And The Process Determine if the information reported is Human Trafficking or other types of Abuse/Neglect Determine the appropriate response and time Area Office Response After Hours – Response Tracking Data / Numbers

CT DCF Human Trafficking Training Training is offered once per month and included in certification programs. Training is represented with gender equality. Training will be expanded to three days Specialized Trauma Informed Clinicians conducted training for a clinical population and a separate training for individuals who works with the identified female population Paul And Lisa Org. worked with our youth in group homes and facilities My Life My Choice –Met With youth in an Area Office

Lessons Learned (All) Every case is going to be different Every case is not an automatic accept Learning something new with each case Correlation Between Runaway Females In Care And Becoming a Victim Victims needs vary from cases to case The “standard rules” about placement and services do not apply – their needs are immediate!

Challenges and Next Steps Involve Law Enforcement As Early As Possible Standardize Services For all Victims Mandatory Training For All Staff, Adolescent Workers And Supervisors First Culture Change / Language Change Policy / Protocol Revisions Adding or Designating Responsible Leads Tracking

Victims by Regions

1/ /2010 Victims by Office

DCF Policy Entitled: Intake and Investigative Response to Human Trafficking of Children Effective Date of this new policy: January 13, 2010

SB 1044 or Public Act An Act concerning notification by the Department of Children and Families when a youth is arrested for prostitution and out-of-state placements of children and youth. Effective: October 1, 2011

SB 153 or PA An act providing a Safe Harbor for Exploited Children Approved June 7, 2010

Sexual Assault/AWOL Work Group Report This is a DRAFT report Dated 2/22/11 Recommend next steps are in 3 phases New Work Group has reformatted and removed redundancies

DCF Protocol for Human Trafficking / DMST Draft Revised on 7/13/11 Review steps of Protocol Still in development Need to develop: – Accept/Non-accept – Service Provision – And others

RBA Approach Results Statement Divided into 2 strategies Strategy 1: PREVENTION of Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking (DMST) and other types of trafficking Strategy 2: INTERVENTION for Children and Adolescents who have been victims of DMST and other types of trafficking

Next Steps Identification of next steps Development of timeline Feedback loop