| Domestic minor sex trafficking (DMST) is the buying and selling of children and youth for the purpose of sexual exploitation. While this is a global epidemic, approximately 200,000 American children each year are trafficked or at risk of being trafficked, making DMST one of the most significant forms of modern day slavery. However, DMST remains a hidden epidemic in the United States and is among the most lucrative criminal businesses today. The majority of efforts to address human trafficking in the U.S. have emphasized prevention policies and police action to eliminate the crime. There has been a relatively recent and rapid expansion of new efforts to address human trafficking through the provision of rehabilitation and reintegration services for survivors. While safe houses and other rehabilitation services have multiplied quickly over the last several years, little is known about the management models, policies, procedures and practices of these organizations. These organizations have responded to a profound need, providing an important community service and working to minimize the possibility of re-victimization of survivors, however there is minimal federal regulation of these facilities and State oversight is ad hoc and varies widely. Therefore, the purpose of this qualitative research study was to identify the variety of management practices implemented at United States rehabilitation centers that house and provides services to DMST survivors, as well as gaps in management capacity that may need to be addressed. The study establishes an understanding of the spectrum of organizational management principles that are most likely to promote successful outcomes for survivors of DMST. By evaluating the management approaches implemented at rehabilitation service organizations, key themes were identified that build the foundation for development of best practices. The study used interview and survey tools, to gather information from rehabilitation program managers and key stakeholders, who were asked to explain and define the organizational management systems within their facilities and identify gaps in practice, management capacity and oversight.;Keywords: human trafficking, DMST, management, rehabilitation, best practices, sex trafficking, homeland security. |
