Article archive / January 1, 2015
Originally published: . Volume 6, No. 1. Source pages: 3.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children, Youth and Families awarded grants to Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services, HP Serve and LouisianaChildren.org. The funding will center on improving outcomes for child trafficking victims in Louisiana by analyzing data and implementing best practices for children in the child welfare system. It will also be used to develop infrastructure for coordinating multiple agency efforts to deliver services, as well as expand collaborative efforts to serve victims of child trafficking.
"Protecting children is the most important thing we do at DCFS," said DCFS Secretary Suzy Sonnier. "Sadly, child trafficking is becoming more prevalent, but this grant will be invaluable in our work to prevent trafficking and serve those children who have already been victims of abuse and neglect."
According to the announcement, research demonstrates a connection between youth involved in child welfare systems and those who have been or become victims of child trafficking. A 2013 study by the Institution of Medicine and National Research Council, found that many times sexual abuse and involvement with child welfare precede trafficking of minors. A report conducted by the California Child Welfare Council found that 50-80 percent of victims of commercial sexual exploitation, including child sex trafficking, are or were formerly involved with child welfare.
"Sex trafficking of minors is one of the most horrific crimes that can be committed against a child," said Claudia Berry, Executive Director of HP Serve. "The trauma of being trafficked has a long term impact on all of its victims. HP Serve is pleased to have received funding from DHHS to expand what we are doing to help youth in the child welfare system who are at risk of or are involved in minor human trafficking in Louisiana."
The grant will allow DCFS and its partners increased resources to identify and combat child trafficking, including the implementation of special assessments to target children entering or returning to child welfare who may be child trafficking victims and to improve services provided.
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