Resolution

In Support of Improving the State Courts’ Response to Human Trafficking

Resolution 4: In Support of Improving the State Courts' Response to Human Trafficking

Download the resolution

WHEREAS, the serious issue of human trafficking is often before the courts; and

WHEREAS, the courts are uniquely positioned to address this crime and help victims; and

WHEREAS, there is a lack of a coordinated justice system response to human trafficking in many jurisdictions; and

WHEREAS, New York State Chief Judge Jonathan Lippman hosted the National Summit on Human Trafficking and the State Courts, sponsored by the State Justice Institute, the National Center for State Courts, the Conference of Chief Justices, the Conference of State Court Administrators, and the Human Trafficking and the State Courts Collaborative, to advance an improved response to human trafficking by state courts nationwide; and

WHEREAS, the 51 states and territories participating in the Summit developed action plans that include the following strategies to address human trafficking:

  • raising awareness of human trafficking among justice system stakeholders;
  • convening or participating in multidisciplinary collaborations;
  • implementing screening tools to identify victims;
  • developing partnerships with victim service providers;
  • developing specialized criminal or juvenile/family court dockets;
  • hosting statewide human trafficking summits; and
  • establishing local protocols and standards;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Conference of Chief Justices and the Conference of State Court Administrators encourage their members to:

  • promote the strategies and best practices set forth at the National Summit on Human Trafficking and the State Courts;
  • increase education and training opportunities for justice system stakeholders;
  • encourage the use of training and technical assistance from the Human Trafficking and the State Courts Collaborative and other sponsors of the Summit; and
  • implement court-led responses to human trafficking with support from the Human Trafficking and the State Courts Collaborative and other sponsors of the Summit.

 

Adopted as proposed by the CCJ/COSCA Courts, Children and Families Committee and the CCJ/COSCA Criminal Justice Committee at the Conference of State Court Administrators 2015 Midyear Meeting on December 5, 2015 and at the Conference of Chief Justices 2016 Midyear Meeting on February 3, 2016.