|| LIRS || Trafficked Children Initiative

Trafficked Children Initiative

Human trafficking is modern day slavery. Everyday children’s bodies and labor are bought, sold and used for the financial gain and pleasure of others. Children are brutally held captive while they receive little or no pay for their labor.

In 2002 LIRS formed the Trafficked Children Initiative to increase understanding regarding children who are trafficked into the United States. The LIRS Trafficked Children Initiative seeks to do the following:

advocate for public policies that protect the safety and well-being of trafficked children
develop services and train providers to meet the special needs of trafficked minors
educate the public regarding this gross violation of human rights

Trafficking victims who are under the age of 18 are eligible for a special foster care program, which provides them with a home along with the services and support they need to rebuild their lives. This is known as the Unaccompanied Refugee Minor (URM) program and has a special emphasis on preserving the cultural, linguistic, and religious identities of all foreign-born children in care. LIRS partners with the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops to assist the Office of Refugee Resettlement by placing eligible trafficked children in the URM program. LIRS and USCCB also develop services and train providers to meet the special needs of trafficked children.

Did You Know?
1. Human trafficking is the fastest growing criminal industry in the world today. It is tied with the illegal arms trade as the second largest criminal industry in the world, just after drug dealing.
2. The U.S. State Department estimates that up to 17,500 men, women and children are trafficked into the U.S. for forced labor in homes, farms, commercial sex, sweatshops, construction and other work. As many as half of the victims are thought to be children.
3. Traffickers prey on the emotional and physical vulnerability of children, making them prime targets of this sinister trade. According to a report by the International Labour Organization 1.2 million children worldwide are victims of trafficking.

Our Goals
Goal 1—Knowledge Base
The LIRS Trafficked Children Initiative seeks to improve the base of knowledge regarding trafficked children in the United States. For example: LIRS uses formal and informal methods of information and data collection to identify gaps in services to exploited children and best practices in working with exploited children.

Goal 2—Policy
The LIRS Trafficked Children Initiative seeks to ensure the development and implementation of policies that protect the best interests of trafficked children. For example: LIRS submitted recommendations for T Visa implementation for children following the enactment of the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000. LIRS coordinated non-governmental comments to the regulations that were subsequently released. In addition LIRS, through its technical assistance and service provision to unaccompanied minors, monitors policy implementation of the regulations as they relate to children.

Goal 3—Practice
The LIRS Trafficked Children Initiative seeks to build and prepare legal and social service networks to identify and meet the needs of trafficked children by developing guidelines for linking trafficked children in the United States with legal protection and social services including foster care. For example: LIRS disseminates guidance on identification, referral, confidentiality, and other issues to appropriate networks; identifies and coordinates on-going training and support for refugee foster care programs, attorneys representing trafficked children and guardians ad litem.

Goal 4—Education
The LIRS Trafficked Children Initiative seeks to increase the awareness and sensitivity of those who might come into contact with trafficked children. For example, LIRS has developed an outreach plan for the public and provider sectors, through human service agencies, local congregations and state and local child protective agencies.

What You Can Do to Help

If you think someone is a victim of human trafficking, call the Trafficking Information and Referral Hotline at 1-888-373-7888. This hotline will refer you to an appropriate nongovernmental organization that can help.
Help us to increase public awareness by becoming an advocate in your community or inviting LIRS staff or volunteers to speak about this issue.
Speak up for children and other vulnerable people by supporting LIRS's advocacy efforts.
Your gifts to LIRS will help us serve and advocate for trafficking victims and other vulnerable people. Donate online now.

Where You Can Get More Information and Support