1. STATE OF CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES CHILD WELFARE RESPONSE TO DOMESTIC MINOR SEX TRAFFICKING

2. The Role of Child Welfare Until recently there has been virtual silence of child welfare systems leaders across the United States on this issue. Three systems most likely to intersect with domestic minor victims of sex trafficking (DMST) and have the mechanisms to identify, report, and intervene most effectively with youth victims, have been absent from the conversation (child welfare, juvenile justice and law enforcement). Recent focus of ACF: “Professionals in child welfare are in a position to lead efforts in strengthening the identification, prevention, and early intervention in child trafficking cases” (ACF, 2013, p. 1). Raphael & Ashley, 2010; Smith, et al, 2009, In Cole & Anderson, 2013

3. Human Trafficking of Minors is a Child Welfare Issue The Department of Children and Families is charged with and responsible for protecting ALL children under the age of eighteen from harm. This includes victimization through means of human trafficking.

4. CT Legislation 2010 Public Act 10-115 − “An Act Providing a Safe Harbor for Exploited Children” becomes law. The legislature amends Conn. General Statutes Section 53a-82 to state that a person must be sixteen years of age or older to be guilty of prostitution, and in any prosecution of a person sixteen or seventeen years of age, there shall be a presumption that the actor was coerced into committing such offense by another person. 2011 Public Act 11-180 - The law provides in part that upon the arrest of any youth by an officer for a violation of section 53a-82, such officer shall report suspected abuse or neglect to the Department of Children and Families in accordance with the provisions of sections 17a-101to 17a- 101d. Those reports should be made to the DCF Careline at (800) 842- 2288.

5. CT Legislation cont. 2012 Public Act 12-141 – An act concerning commercial sexual exploitation of a minor. This new statute defines commercial sexual exploitation of a minor as a person who knowingly purchases advertising space for an advertisement for a commercial sex act that includes a depiction of a minor. Commercial sexual exploitation of a minor is a class C felony. 2013 Public Act 13-166 – An act concerning sexual exploitation and trafficking in persons. Alignment with federal TVPA, Class C felony if the person knew or reasonably should have known at the time that such other person was either younger than the age of eighteen, forfeiture properties, affirmative defense for minors, vacating records, public awareness and prevention, ongoing monitoring of efforts to combat trafficking, mandatory data reporting, statewide oversight and monitoring body.

6. Newest piece of CT legislation: October 2014 Public Act 14 -186 (S.B. 5040) HT victims classified as “uncared for” DCF to provide services DCF provides training to law enforcement on human trafficking of minors Creation of MDT’s to work with human trafficking cases

7. Connecticut Referrals…. 2008 to present – Approximately 300 youth referred Trafficking type: DMST/CSEC Vulnerability: Majority of victims were on runaway/AWOL status; Majority of victims had experienced sexual abuse and/or neglect. Age range: 2 – 18 Referrals: DCF Social Workers, Law enforcement, EMS, congregate care facilities, Courts, public defenders’ office, NGOs, etc…

8. 2014 DATA  94 Referrals  13 Confirmed  92 Female  2 Male  Statewide

9. Policy 31-10-6.1 INTAKE AND INVESTIGATIVE RESPONSE TO HUMAN TRAFFICKING OF CHILDREN The Department of Children and Families is committed to the identification of, rescue and protection of, and providing services for children who have been identified as victims of human trafficking.

10. Connecticut DCF Framework Identification and Response Awareness and Education Restore and Recovery

11. Identification and Response DCF Careline developed identification codes; tracking system. Every possible trafficking case should be accepted! HART (Human Anti-Trafficking Response Team) Designated Emergency Department(s) across the state DCF Response Practice Guide Relationships established with FBI, United States District Attorney, Homeland Security, State and local law enforcement. MDT (Multi Disciplinary Team)

12. Awareness and Education DCF Academy offers 3-days of specialized trainings; Day 1, Day 2 and Demand. DCF awareness efforts on DMST include Chief of Police/ roll call trainings, juvenile and adult judges, emergency medical providers, MDT teams, service providers, educators, medical providers, foster parents, etc… Education to Connecticut young people: service providers, schools and community. Specialized curriculum for girls; My Life My Choice (JRI). New curriculum for girls and/or boys: Not a #Number (Love 146). National consultation on best practices for child welfare systems and provider networks. Newest curriculums and Model: Boys and DMST and Foster Care Training and Model.

13. Restore and Recovery Provider Network “Trained Up”/ “Trafficking Informed” Services Specialized services including foster care and mentoring Rapid Responses Survivor Care/ Love 146 Victim advocacy; prosecutions, restorations, etc…

14. HART LEADERSHIP Tammy M. Sneed, Director of Gender Responsive Adolescent Services And Yvette Young, HART Coordinator Specialty Member: DCF Medical Directo r Regional HART Liaisons (6) MDT Coordinator (3 ) Director of CT Children’s Alliance Specialty Member: DCF Careline

15. HART Service Providers and Advocates Tammy M. Sneed, Director of Gender Responsive Adolescent Services Caroline Diemar, New Haven MDT Coordinator Melanie Kmetz, Regional Supervisor for Region 1 Law Enforcement HART Regional Liaisons MDT Coordinators Forensic Interviewers Attorneys Credentialing Committee Communication Committee Law Enforcement Training Committee Forensic Interview Committee Connecticut’s Laws Committee Training Committee Services Committee HART Coordinator

16. DCF RESPONSE If there is reasonable cause to SUSPECT human trafficking of a child call the DCF Careline at 800.842.2288. Be very clear to inform the screener that you suspect that the child may be a victim of human trafficking/DMST

17. Contact Information Tammy M. Sneed Director of Gender Responsive Adolescent Services Cell: 860-462-4314 Tammy.Sneed@ct.gov