Child Abuse and Neglect
2019

A specialty court for U.S. youth impacted by commercial sexual exploitation (Article)

Bath E.P. , Godoy S.M.* , Morris T.C. , Hammond I. , Mondal S. , Goitom S. , Farabee D. , Barnert E.S.
  • a Department of Psychiatry, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, United States, UCLA Semel Neuropsychiatric Institute, 760 Westwood Plaza, Room A8-228, Los Angeles, CA 90025, United States
  • b Department of Psychiatry, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, United States, UCLA Semel Neuropsychiatric Institute, 760 Westwood Plaza, Room A8-232, Los Angeles, CA 90025, United States
  • c Department of Psychiatry, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, United States, UCLA Semel Neuropsychiatric Institute, 760 Westwood Plaza, Room A8-232, Los Angeles, CA 90025, United States
  • d School of Social Welfare, UC Berkeley, 120 Haviland Hall #7400, Berkeley, CA 94720, United States
  • e Stanford School of Medicine, 291 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA 94305, United States
  • f Department of Psychiatry, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, United States, UCLA Semel Neuropsychiatric Institute, 760 Westwood Plaza, Room A8-232, Los Angeles, CA 90025, United States
  • g Department of Population Health, Langone School of Medicine, New York University, 180 Madison Ave, 17th Floor, New York, NY 10016, United States
  • h Department of Pediatrics, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and Mattel Children's Hospital, Los Angeles, CA, United States, UCLA Pediatrics, Box 951752, 12-467 MDCC, Los Angeles, CA 90095, United States

Abstract

Background: Specialty courts have emerged as a model of care for U.S. youth impacted by commercial sexual exploitation (CSE) to ensure comprehensive service provision. However, there is a lack of published research that documents the extent to which these programs achieve this goal. Objective: We sought to understand a specialty juvenile justice court's role in identifying mental health and substance use treatment needs, providing linkages to services, and facilitating stability for youth with histories of CSE. Participants and Setting: We conducted an exhaustive court file review of the 364 participants in a U.S. based juvenile delinquency specialty court for youth affected by CSE. The observation period spanned 2012–2017. Methods: The research team systematically transferred data from court files into a secure, electronic database. Descriptive statistics and Chisquared tests were calculated to explore potential associations. Results: Participation in the specialty court for youth impacted by CSE suggests an increase in identification of mental health and substance use needs and linkages and referrals to mental health and substance use treatment services. In addition, there was increased stabilization as indicated by decreased substantiated child welfare allegations, fewer running away episodes, and placements and criminal involvement. Conclusions: Specialty courts that incorporate a multidisciplinary, trauma-informed approach offer a promising intervention model for meeting the high treatment needs of youth impacted by CSE. © 2019 Elsevier Ltd

Author Keywords

Commercial sexual Trafficking Court Juvenile justice Specialty Court

Index Keywords

[No Keywords available]
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85067564347&doi=10.1016%2fj.chiabu.2019.104041&partnerID=40&md5=8b147758b0ed9c878f26ea54c0833cd3
DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2019.104041
ISSN: 01452134
Original Language: English