Florida legislative watchdog says DCF may be at odds with sex trafficking law
Florida legislative watchdog says DCF may be at odds with sex ... Tallahassee Democrat
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The Florida Department of Children and Families’ Compliance with Safe Harbor Act Questioned
The Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) is under scrutiny by the Office of Program Policies and Government Accountability (OPPAGA) for its compliance with the Safe Harbor Act of 2012, which mandates placement and services for teens identified as sex trafficking victims. OPPAGA requested case-specific data from DCF for the state’s annual report on services provided to child victims of sex trafficking, but DCF stated that the information does not exist in an extractable form. As a result, OPPAGA was unable to verify whether DCF is following the legislation.
The Annual Report on the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children 2023
According to The Annual Report on the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children 2023, there are more than 300 youths in state custody who were preyed upon by sex traffickers. The majority of these victims are between the ages of 14 and 17, and 83% are female. These vulnerable individuals have a high likelihood of being revictimized.
Concerns about Compliance and Data Collection
State and community-based organizations spend approximately $13.1 million to provide shelter, treatment, and other services to children who have been trapped by the commercial sex industry. However, OPPAGA has raised concerns about DCF’s compliance with legislative mandates and its ability to collect and share information about these cases since 2020.
The Institute for Child Welfare at Florida State University has been working with DCF to validate the reliability of its screening tool since 2017. However, the process has been hindered by technological and staffing issues. Researchers have found that screeners’ interpretation of evidence has undermined the tool’s reliability as a sex trafficking indicator.
Florida’s Ranking in Human Trafficking Cases
Florida ranks third nationally in the number of reported human trafficking cases. The DCF human trafficking abuse hotline received 1,750 calls involving children in 2021. Having accurate and comprehensive data is crucial for lawmakers to make informed decisions and implement effective policies to combat human trafficking.
Legislative Action and Future Plans
Senate Democratic Leader Lauren Book intends to sponsor legislation that would require DCF to share the data and documentation produced by the screening tool with state researchers and lawmakers. This information includes case-level data about the assessment of youths suspected of being trafficked and whether they were placed in safe houses under the Safe Harbor Act.
By improving data collection and sharing, Florida can better address the issue of human trafficking and ensure the safety and well-being of its vulnerable youth population.
James Call is a member of the USA TODAY NETWORK-Florida Capital Bureau. He can be reached at jcall@tallahassee.com. Follow on him Twitter: @CallTallahassee
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 5: Gender Equality
- SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
- SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
- SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual exploitation.
- Target 8.7: Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labor, end modern slavery and human trafficking, and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labor.
- Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status.
- Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Indicator 5.2.1: Proportion of ever-partnered women and girls aged 15 years and older subjected to physical, sexual, or psychological violence by a current or former intimate partner in the previous 12 months, by form of violence and by age group.
- Indicator 8.7.1: Number of victims of forced labor per 1,000 persons aged 15 years and older.
- Indicator 10.2.1: Proportion of people living below 50 percent of median income, by age, sex, and persons with disabilities.
- Indicator 16.2.2: Number of children aged 0-17 years who experienced any physical punishment and/or psychological aggression by caregivers in the past month.
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 5: Gender Equality | Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual exploitation. | Indicator 5.2.1: Proportion of ever-partnered women and girls aged 15 years and older subjected to physical, sexual, or psychological violence by a current or former intimate partner in the previous 12 months, by form of violence and by age group. |
| SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth | Target 8.7: Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labor, end modern slavery and human trafficking, and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labor. | Indicator 8.7.1: Number of victims of forced labor per 1,000 persons aged 15 years and older. |
| SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities | Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status. | Indicator 10.2.1: Proportion of people living below 50 percent of median income, by age, sex, and persons with disabilities. |
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children. | Indicator 16.2.2: Number of children aged 0-17 years who experienced any physical punishment and/or psychological aggression by caregivers in the past month. |
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Source: tallahassee.com
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