Child Trafficking as a Predictor of Subsequent Juvenile Justice Involvement

Abstract

This study examines human trafficking (HT) allegations and subsequent juvenile justice (JJ) involvement. We used longitudinal, statewide, linked administrative data from the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) and Florida Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) to investigate predictors of JJ involvement following an HT allegation. We conducted (1) logistic regression models to identify youth characteristics, prior DCF experiences, and prior DJJ experiences that predict JJ referral following an HT allegation and (2) a survival analysis to identify time until JJ referral following an HT allegation. Significant predictors of JJ involvement following an HT allegation include being age 11–17, male, Black, and non-Hispanic; prior neglect, physical abuse, missing-child events, and a number of JJ referrals prior to the alleged trafficking. This research informs the JJ system’s approach to child trafficking victimization.