AGENCY TESTIMONY
Legal framework and ACS's responsibilities in addressing human trafficking
0:13:08
ยท
50 sec
ACS is committed to identifying and helping sex and labor trafficked children and youth. Federal and state laws require ACS to screen all children entering foster care for possible trafficking and those returning after being absent without consent.
- Mentions the Preventing Sex Trafficking and Strengthening Families Act of 2014
- Outlines ACS's legal obligations to screen and identify trafficked youth
- Highlights the creation of the Office of Child Trafficking Prevention and Policy in 2015
Ina Mendez
0:13:08
ACS is committed to identifying and helping sex and labor traffic children and youth achieve safety and obtain resources to help them heal and thrive.
0:13:18
In September 2014, the federal government passed the Preventing Sex Trafficking and Strengthening Families Act to help address sex trafficking in the commercial sexual exploitation of children involved in the child welfare system.
0:13:32
Pursuant to state and federal law, ACS is required to screen all children and youth entering foster care for possible tracking, as well as any child or youth returning to foster care after any period of being absent without consent.
0:13:46
To accomplish this, in 2015, ACS created the Office of Child Trafficking Prevention and Policy and issued its trafficking policy in 2022, which remains in effect.