Human Trafficking and Homeless Youth


nhtrc-mapHomeless and unstably housed individuals are susceptible to falling victim to human trafficking. Homeless youth are particularly at risk; one in three teenagers will be approached by a trafficker within 48 hours of being on the street. Approximately 10% of shelter youths and 28% of street youth have participated in survival sex to meet their basic needs.*

One of the most effective ways to reduce an young person’s risk of falling into human trafficking is to end their homelessness by providing a safe and stable place to stay and supports to help a youth thrive.

For more information on Human Trafficking and Homelessness & Housing Instability, please contact  training@cceh.org.

*NN4Y Human Trafficking Fact Sheet


Human Trafficking

“Slavery, Modern Day Slavery, Illegal Sale of Human Beings”

Sex trafficking¦ the recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of a person for the purpose of a commercial sex act in which a commercial sex act is induced by force, fraud, or coercion; or in which the person induced to perform the act has not yet reached 18 years of age.

Labor Trafficking¦ the recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of a person for labor or services through the use of force, fraud, or coercion for the purpose of involuntary servitude, debt bondage, peonage, or slavery.


Sex Trafficking of Youth

Connecticut has had almost 500 referrals on human trafficking to the Department of Children and Families for cases of children ages 2-18. 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys are sexually abused by the age of 18 and 75% of children who have been sexually abused will further be victimized through involvement in Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSDC) and Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking (DMST).

Types of Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC) & Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking (DMST)

  • Internet Based Prostitutionct_dcf-line
  • Street Prostitution (increasingly less common)
  • Stripping – “Gentlemen’s Club?”
  • Pornography
  • Escort Services
  • Casinos/Clubs
  • Private Parties
  • Interfamilial Pimping
  • Sex for Drugs
  • Gang Based Prostitution
  • Survival Sex

Survival Sex¦ Participation in sexual acts in exchange for the meeting of their basic needs, such as for food, shelter, or clothing.


Recorded Webinar

Human Trafficking in Connecticut


Organizations

The Department of Children and Families: Human Anti-Trafficking Response Team (HART)

CT DCF runs programs for the identification and response of victims, awareness and education throughout the state, and restoration and recovery of survivors. If you are aware of a child who is being victimized, you can make a report to the Careline at 1-800-842-2288

National Human Trafficking Resource Center:

NHTRC is a national, anti-trafficking hotline and resource center serving victims and survivors of human trafficking and the anti-trafficking community in the United States.  If you are a victim of human trafficking and need immediate help or if you suspect a potential trafficking situation, call 1-888-373-7888 To report online, click here.

The Polaris Project

Polaris works to end human trafficking and help survivors restore their freedom, prevent more victims, and leverage data and technology to pursue traffickers wherever they operate.

Love 146

Love 146 is an international NGO that provides professional education, prevention education, and survivor care to victims of human trafficking. 

International Institute of Connecticut: Project Rescue and Anti-Human Trafficking Program

IICONN’s Project Rescue is designed to assist victims of human trafficking identified in the State of Connecticut through english and job training skills, housing assistance, health services, language and cultural assistance, transportation, and legal and immigration services. 

The Connecticut Coalition Against Trafficking

CTCAT raises awareness for human trafficking in the state of Connecticut and works to coordinate services to support victims and survivors.

CMHA: Community Connections for Survivors

Community Mental Health Affiliates helps provider programs for survivors of human trafficking and victims of other crimes to support them in the recovery process. 

Trafficking in Persons Council

The TIP Council is convened by the Commission on Women, Children and Seniors and chaired by the Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence (CCADV) to advocate for victims of human trafficking. 


Additional Resources

Human Trafficking and Homeless & Housing Unstable Youth Training Powerpoint

This presentation is from the September, 2016 Human Trafficking and Homeless & Housing Unstable Youth Training giving on identification, assistance, and prevention for human trafficking victims in Connecticut. 

The National Network for Youth: Human Trafficking and the Runaway and Homeless Youth Population Fact Sheet

This factsheet details the legal definitions of sex and labor trafficking and the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act. 

The Nest Foundation’s PLAYGROUND: the film

This film, and the preview available here on the website, establishes the nature of human trafficking in the United States and as a domestic issue. 

U.S. Department of Homeland Security: The Blue Campaign 

The Blue Campaign works to collaborate with with law enforcement, government, non-governmental and private organizations to end human trafficking in the United States

Shared Hope International: Protected Innocence Challenge

The Protected Innocence Challenge is a comprehensive study of existing state laws designed to inspire and equip advocates. Under the Challenge, every state receives a Report Card and grade for its ability to effectively respond to sex trafficking.

State of Connecticut: Office of Victim Services

The Office of Victim Services runs several programs and services to help with the emotional and financial impact of the crime and to support victims through the criminal justice process.

Office of Governmental Accountability: Office of the Victim Advocate

The Office of the Victim Advocate serves to promote respect for crime victims, including their safety, privacy and the interest they have in seeking justice.

Blueprint: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Domestic Sex Trafficking of Girls

A report by Center of Poverty and Inequality at Georgetown Law with information on domestic sex trafficking. 

Identifying Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking Victims in Connecticut

This DCF guide to identifying minor sex trafficking victims and traffickers as well as myths and misconceptions.

Quick Card on Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking and Contact

These DCF note-cards are a quick guide to the domestic minor sex trafficking laws, contact information, identification tips and resources for victims. 

Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking & The Law

This DCF guide goes over the law as it related to domestic minor sex trafficking laws and who to contact if you come across a trafficking case as well related criminal laws.