First Star Institute, Inc.

New Report Released Today
"Commercial S*xual Exploitation of Children: Attorney Insights and Identified Training Needs"
Key Findings:
- Nearly 9 in 10 attorneys report serving children impacted by trafficking
- 57% of attorneys say trafficking appears in their caseloads
- 43% report that trafficking cases are increasing
- 80% of attorneys say criminalization of victims is a major challenge
- 78% report that the vast majority of their clients have experienced significant trauma
- 66% say child s*x
trafficking is a serious national issue
- Nearly half say they lack adequate knowledge of available services

www.firststarinstitute.org

FSI new project, Advancing Collaboration to End S*x Trafficking. 50-90% of victims have been involved in the child welfare system. Working with partners to train attorneys, GALs and CASAs.

S*xual Abuse and Child S*x Trafficking | firststarinstitute The research also indicates that vulnerable children and adolescents such as abused and neglected children are more likely to be victimized by s*xual predators.

WASHINGTON, DC, May 12, 2023 /24-7PressRelease/ -- First Star Institute released its report of interviews with personnel working in multi-agency collaborations to combat child s*x trafficking. As a national committee has noted, child s*x trafficking is one of the most complex and least understood forms of child abuse. Despite new laws over the last ten years, the country struggles to identify, prevent and support children and youth who have been or are at risk of being s*x trafficked, especially those who are already in the child welfare system. Children with prior or current involvement with the child welfare system who are known to be at much higher risk for s*xual exploitation than other children.

The First Star Institute report confirms the need for collaborative approaches across systems such as criminal delinquency and child welfare courts, social services and legal services. As one interviewee stated, "We have come to the conclusion that unless we work together, we really are not going to be able to get anywhere." Specialized courts, multi-disciplinary teams, well-trained, dedicated and consistent staff are all important. The report highlights children's attorneys, guardians ad litem and/or CASA's as largely untapped resources that can be better utilized to assist trafficked children. Most states guarantee legal representation of children in the child welfare system – attorneys who may provide best interests representation as guardians ad litem. Many states also permit lay volunteers such as CASAs to play a role.

The FSI Report also underscores the critical need for placements appropriate to trafficked youth, with caregivers and all who work with these youth understanding how trauma has affected these young individuals. In addition, being able to engage with trafficked children and youth in a meaningful way is critical to success. Including trafficking survivors as mentors was cited time and again as important.

The full survey, Advancing Collaboration to Respond to Child S*x Trafficking – Attorneys for Children, Guardians ad Litem and Court Appointed Special Advocates as a Key Resource.is available at https://www.firststarinstitute.org/s*xual-abuse. Questions about the survey can be addressed to [email protected].
https://www.firststarinstitute.org/s*xual-abuse

The Institute envisions a world where abused and neglected children have the support and the tools to address chronic undereducation, unemployment and homelessness. The Institute's programs improve the lives of abused and neglected children by supporting best practices in education, research and the law.
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First Star Institute was founded on December 15, 2015 to promote best practices serving abused and neglected children in education, research and the law, and to continue the policy programs previously conducted by First Star. First Star is a national 501(c)(3) public charity dedicated to improving life for child victims of abuse and neglect. Since 2011 First Star pioneered support programs to launch foster children into productive lives and careers. In 2016, the growth and diversity of First Star's programs required two entities with separately focused governance, and the historical First Star policy work was transferred to First Star Institute. The amicable relationship between the two organizations builds on First Star's success, and the two entities share a common lineage.

S*xual Abuse and Child S*x Trafficking | firststarinstitute The research also indicates that vulnerable children and adolescents such as abused and neglected children are more likely to be victimized by s*xual predators.

Just released new report on Advancing Collaboration to Respond to Child S*x Trafficking. Trafficking is the fastest growing segment of child abuse in the U.S.

S*xual Abuse and Child S*x Trafficking | firststarinstitute The research also indicates that vulnerable children and adolescents such as abused and neglected children are more likely to be victimized by s*xual predators.

FSI is delighted to release its first report dealing with child s*x trafficking entitled "Collaboration to Respond to Child S*x Trafficking –Attorneys for Children, Guardians ad Litem and Court Appointed Special Advocates as a Key Resource." We discovered that child s*x trafficking is one of the most complex and least understood forms of child abuse. We hope to continue working on this issue to find solutions that help represent these suffering youth.

www.firststarinstitute.org

We are delighted to welcome our newest board member, Sherry Quirk. Ms. Quirk has had extensive involvement in addressing high impact issues related to child abuse and neglect. She began providing pro bono services in advocacy for abused and neglected children and adult survivors in 1991, and co-founded several national advocacy groups – the American Coalition for Abuse Awareness, One Voice, and First Star.