Massachusetts Improving Outcomes for Child and Youth Victims of Human Trafficking

The purpose of this award, funded under the Improving Outcomes for Child and Youth Victims of Human Trafficking Program, is to improve outcomes for children and youth who are victims of human trafficking by integrating human trafficking policy and programming at the state or tribal level and enhancing coordinated, multidisciplinary, and statewide approaches to serving trafficked youth.

Massachusetts’ project proposes to build upon an established county-wide multidisciplinary team model in order to design a statewide systemic approach to combating child and youth sex and labor trafficking. This will be accomplished in partnership with agencies under the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, Executive Office of Health and Human Services, the Attorney General’s Office, and through collaboration with state and local law enforcement and community based agencies dedicated to working with victims most at risk for further exploitation and abuse. Massachusetts will focus on three primary areas: (1) Implementation of a dedicated law enforcement or prosecutorial unit to proactively investigate and prosecute cases of human trafficking involving children and youth in identified high-risk areas; (2) Implementation of a statewide program focused on providing appropriate housing to child and youth victims of trafficking, with a particular focus on the needs of youth transitioning out of care; and (3) Development, enhancement, and coordination of programs and activities geared toward improving outcomes for child and youth victims of sex and/or labor trafficking; establishment of a program coordinator role to oversee program implementation within the state or tribe and ensure coordination of anti-trafficking efforts in the jurisdiction.CA/NCF