An eight-year analysis of child labor trafficking cases in the United States: Exploring characteristics, and patterns of child labor trafficking

Strategies for healthcare professionals to identify and assist migrant children at risk of labour exploitation or trafficking

Increasingly large numbers of children and youth are migrating across international borders with many seeking employment in both formal and informal work sectors. These young people are at high risk of exploitation. Healthcare professionals need to be able to recognise vulnerable patients and advocate for their protection and safety, yet there is a paucity of literature that provides guidance on how to accomplish this. The goal of this paper is to provide guidance to clinicians on identifying and assisting migrant paediatric patients at risk of being exploited in the work sector, including conducting a risk assessment and making decisions about mandatory reporting. First, the best interest of the youth within their cultural context should be examined respecting their desires and goals, as well as immediate and longer-term physical health, mental health and safety issues. Second, clinicians should consider the best interest of the family, with attention to varying socioeconomic and psychosocial conditions including acculturation, immigration challenges, as well as cultural norms and values. Third, the situation must be evaluated within the legal framework of the host country regarding child labour, exploitation and trafficking. Cultural humility, open-mindedness, the active engagement of patients and families and an understanding of child labour within cultural contexts and legal statutes will empower healthcare professionals to identify and support patients at risk of exploitation in work settings. These recommendations serve to prioritise the best interests of vulnerable working migrant children and youth. The healthcare and migration systems of the USA will be used as a case for exploration.

A state-wide analysis of characteristics and predictors of dual system involvement among child victims of human trafficking

BACKGROUND

The child welfare system is pivotal in identifying and responding to child (younger than age 18) human trafficking victims. Children who have experienced human trafficking-or are at risk of victimization-are increasingly recognized as also being served in the juvenile justice system. Yet little is known about human trafficking victimization among children in the juvenile justice population or among children with child welfare and juvenile justice involvement.

OBJECTIVE

Building on previous research with child welfare-and juvenile justice-involved children, we investigated characteristics and system experiences among children who have experienced a human trafficking abuse allegation in Florida.

PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING

The overall study population included all children born on or after January 1, 1993, who had at least one DCF-documented maltreatment allegation before March 1, 2020. This study examined a total of 12,167 allegations in the first set of analyses and the first human trafficking allegation for each child (N = 9300) in the second set of analyses.

METHODS

Analyses are based on linked administrative data for a cohort of children involved with Florida's Departments of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) and/or Children and Families (DCF). We used descriptive and multivariate logistic regression analyses to document the characteristics of single and dual system-involved children and examine predictors of child welfare, juvenile justice, and dual system involvement.

RESULTS

(1) Nearly half of children with a human trafficking abuse allegation are involved in DCF at the time of the allegation, (2) females who experienced trafficking are more likely to be involved in DCF (with or without DJJ involvement) than involved in no system, (3) Black children with an alleged trafficking incident were more likely than White children to be involved in both systems compared with DCF only, and (4) children who experienced labor trafficking abuse allegations were less likely than those who experienced sex trafficking to be involved with either system.

CONCLUSIONS

This study depicts child victims of sex and labor trafficking who are involved with one or both systems in one state.

Labor trafficking of children and youth in the United States: A scoping review

BACKGROUND

Child labor trafficking is a largely unexplored and unpublished phenomenon in the United States.

OBJECTIVE

To 1) characterize the state of the science on child labor trafficking, and 2) identify empirical information regarding risk and protective factors, and physical/behavioral health needs of labor-trafficked children/adolescents.

METHODS

This scoping review involved an electronic review of five databases; the search was restricted to studies in English or Spanish and published between Jan 1, 2010-Oct 16, 2020. The search yielded 1190 articles; 48 studies qualified for full review and 8 met inclusion criteria (US-based study addressing risk factors/vulnerabilities for child labor trafficking; protective factors; health impact; or health/behavioral healthcare).

RESULTS

Only one study had sufficient sample size to compare sex to labor trafficking among minors; some did not separate data by age group or by type of trafficking. A few shared data from a common source; one was a single case review. Findings suggested that sex and labor trafficking may share common risk factors (e.g., prior child maltreatment and out-of-home placement) as well as within group differences (e.g., labor trafficked children had less prior child welfare involvement than those involved in sex trafficking and were more likely to be younger, male, Black or non-white, and Hispanic). Multiple physical/behavioral health symptoms were reported and may be useful items for a healthcare screen.

CONCLUSIONS

Child labor trafficking research in the U.S. is in its infancy, although the results of this review point to opportunities for screening and case conceptualization that may be useful to practitioners.

A cultural syndicate of society and NGOs challenges to deter child labour manipulation in Addis Ababa

This study aimed to investigate the existing trends of child labour abuse in Addis Ababa, as well as to examine the sociocultural barriers that impede nongovernmental organizations. This study involves two domestic NGOs (FHIDO and SCFDS) working on child issues. The study used a qualitative approach with 25 participants in in-depth interviews, one focus-group discussion, and six key informants to collect or acquire a full grasp of the issue and to address the study's stated objectives. The finding of this study revealed some psychometric reasons for the children to be engaged in hazardous work activities, including their family background (dynamics), poverty, and self-actualisation arising from contributions to the well-being of the family. Concerning gender-selective norms as a problem, the chosen two organizations are facing a significant task in putting an end to child labour exploitation in the region owing to social gender preference. The cultural and social expectations of men and women make the issue ubiquitous in their communities. Based on the findings of this study, the Winrock International (2008) approach of CIRCLE experience with an awareness-raising plan is recommended.