You are on this page: Human Trafficking and Commercial Sexual Exploitation in NYS
The New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) is committed to supporting survivors of human trafficking and professionals who serve this population by providing state-of-the-art preventative measures in identifying and servicing exploited children in New York State.
When New York State enacted the Safe Harbour for Exploited Children Act, it became the first state in the nation to recognize that sexually exploited minors are victims—and not perpetrators—of crimes. Safe Harbour and other relevant legislation recognized what survivor-serving professionals have long known—children and youth who have been exploited and trafficked have endured significant, compounding traumas and need supportive, holistic services to aid them in their healing.
OCFS's efforts to address human trafficking over the last decade include raising awareness, providing training and technical assistance, developing and implementing the Safe Harbour: NY program, and guiding the implementation of the federal Preventing Sex Trafficking and Strengthening Families Act (P.L. 113-183).
The anti-trafficking work at OCFS is grounded in the following values and principles:
- Protecting and providing services to survivors of human trafficking to promote the safety, permanency, and well-being of New York's children, families, and communities;
- Providing youth survivors of commercial sexual exploitation and trafficking comprehensive, specialized services through the child-welfare system;
- Programs and policies are most responsive when they are inclusive of all youth, regardless of age, race, ethnicity, cultural background, gender identify, sexual orientation, or other experience.