Reporting & Response Resources

Any suspicion of CSAM or human trafficking of a child or adolescent should be reported to child protective services (CPS). Regardless of the caregiver status of the potential offender, any suspicions of these crimes against a child and adolescent are to be reported via a child abuse and neglect report and/or a call to the statewide CPS central intake reporting line.

If there are suspicions of an adult victim of human trafficking that resides with children or adolescents who may be exposed, these concerns are to also be reported to CPS. Questions regarding response time, anonymity, or case updates can be discussed with the regional CPS office.

Once a report is filed, CPS and/or the reporting party should contact their regional human trafficking navigator per consent from the legal guardian of the child or adolescent. Once releases of information are obtained via the coordination by the CPS worker and the navigator, the navigator can convene a response team meeting to review the needs of the victim with the appropriate MDT members. Meetings are convened as needed per team and legal guardian request, if the legal guardian is not the potential offender in the suspected report. The goal of MDT response team meetings is to ensure that wraparound services are provided to the child or adolescent, and the team is functioning in a person-centered, trauma-informed, communicative, and efficient manner.

Forensic interviewers with the CAC have human trafficking and exploitation-specific training which include specifics on how to appropriately conduct these types of interviews.

Once an MDT convenes, the team determines whether a forensic interview at the Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) with the child or adolescent is deemed appropriate at the time of the report. The decision regarding the appropriateness of the interview depends on whether the child or adolescent has ever been or recently been interviewed, the mental health and stableness of the child/adolescent, and the appropriateness of the interview if there is concern that the child or adolescent would benefit from a different approach that could better suite that specific child or adolescent. If it is determined that a forensic interview is the next step, CPS and law enforcement are the only parties who may request the interview from the local CAC.

To meet the needs of the child/adolescent, interviews may be more appropriate off-site and those decisions may be made by the CAC, social services, and law enforcement. In the instance where MDT meetings are not convened, CPS and law enforcement determine the readiness and appropriateness for a forensic interview and may relay that information to the MDT members involved in the case.

Referral For Services
During the forensic interview, appropriate MDT members are present, per the request of the legal guardian and CAC. Upon completion of the interview, the CAC compiles a list of referral options and creates a plan for the child or adolescent. This may include a medical exam, mental health, and specialized child and adolescent services. The CAC and MDT members also provide services to the child/adolescent and may have already been supporting them prior to the interview date.

Suspicions of human trafficking of an adult cannot be reported without the victim’s consent. Adult victims have the ability to decide whether or not they want to report the abuse, and/or receive any services. In the event an adult victim or survivor requests law enforcement or service provision involvement, the party working alongside the victim will refer the victim to the services they request by contacting the appropriate MDT member(s). MDT members who adult victims provide consent for will be notified, releases of information will be completed, and an MDT can be convened if the victim is interested in that option. The party working alongside the victim/survivor should ensure that all service options are reviewed, along with the option to convene an MDT and inform a regional navigator with the NDHTTF. If the party is unsure of what services or law enforcement partner(s) should be contacted, they can reach out to their regional human trafficking navigator to discuss resource options for victims.
info@ndhttf.org

There are two exceptions to the inability to report adults of human trafficking without their consent:

• • Vulnerable Adults: If there are concerns that the suspected human trafficking victim is a vulnerable adult, the suspicious party can report that information to their local adult protective services (APS) office. If the victim is already deemed a vulnerable adult and there are suspicions of abuse and neglect, a report is to be filed with APS. If the vulnerable adult is in immediate danger, law enforcement should be contacted prior to APS services. Once APS is contacted, they determine their level of involvement, can offer services, make referrals, and can request a team meeting on behalf of the vulnerable adult. APS can communicate with or without releases of information when a report is filed.
  • Immediate or Serious Safety Risk to Harming Self or Others: If there are concerns that the victim and/or someone else will be in immediate danger if the human trafficking information is not reported, the concerned/reporting party can determine if law enforcement should be contacted to respond. The concerned/reporting party determines their decision to report based upon Duty to Warn licensure obligations and/or their agency policies. The concerned/reporting party can determine whether MDT members are to be informed for safety precautions of the victim and/or the MDT member’s agency based on the reported information provided.

It is important for individuals working with victims and survivors to relay to them the purpose of the navigator role. Other entities such as MDT members and legal guardians should also be aware of the purpose of the navigator role to ensure victims have access to this service.
Navigators are utilized as a central point of contact for CSAM and human trafficking cases, and are a neutral party working alongside the MDT. Navigators are responsible for convening and facilitating MDT response team meetings on behalf of the victim, provide resources and referral options in and out of state (this includes services on college campuses or reservations), ensure releases of information and other pertinent documentation is gathered, and ensure ongoing communication between MDTs working with victims and survivors. Navigators are typically involved in all trafficking/CSAM cases unless legal guardians and/or adult victims refuse this service. They are also the first point of contact if there are any CSAM or trafficking suspicions, as the navigator convenes the involved parties to assist the victim in each case and is the central point of information and communication regarding case specifics. Navigators will ensure that appropriate reporting has been completed prior to determining next steps with MDT members.

As this toolkit supports person-centered and trauma-informed responses, victims and survivors are involved in their case plan. They are updated on MDT meeting information, and are given the opportunity to meet their team members and participate in MDT meetings if they choose to. There are some instances where confidential information needs to be discussed prior to victim involvement in MDT meetings, however this can be explained to victims. Victims and survivors are to have an opinion on the decisions made in their case and are therefore communicated with and given the opportunity to voice their needs and wants, questions and concerns.

Legal guardians are also to be invited to meetings and involved in case planning, but is dependent on the suspicious and reports regarding the case. If there is confidential information to be discussed, or concerns that legal guardians are exploiting the child or adolescent, there would be stipulations to the involvement of legal guardians (if not CPS).

Navigators are to discuss with their team the appropriate time to include victims/survivors and legal guardians (if not CPS) in case planning, and re-evaluate their involvement when confidentiality or other barriers have subsided. Navigators facilitate discussion to determine the appropriate party who is keeping victims and guardians informed on an ongoing basis.