Summary

A support programme for young victims of sex trafficking. Programmes are individually tailored, based on an assessment of each young person’s needs.

Type of intervention

Group work, counselling, phone, mentoring

Target groups, level of prevention and subgroups

• Children and Young People (Victims) | Tertiary prevention | Young People (12-17 years), Young Adults (18-20 years) | Male and female | Group work, counselling, phone, mentoring | English

 

Target population

Youth aged 12-21 years who are victims of sex trafficking.
Parents/caregivers of youth who are victims of sex trafficking.

Delivery organisation

Courtney’s House, a charity/Ngo in the USA
Website: www.courtneyshouse.org

Mode and context of delivery

Courtney's House (CH) provides outreach, individual and group-based counselling, therapy, mentoring and support to victims of sex trafficking in the USA. The programme works closely with each child's existing support networks. Programmes are individually tailored and based on an assessment of each young person's needs. CH also runs support groups for parents of sex trafficking victims. CH also runs a survivor to survivor helpline. Public awareness raising activities are undertaken.

Level/nature of staff expertise required

Supervisors require a Master's Degree in a direct service-related field.

Intensity/extent of engagement with target group(s)

Each client has weekly contact with their case manager. Length of contact is based on identified needs and treatment plan. On average it takes 3 years to complete the programme and the transition to a safe and healthy life.

Description of intervention

Courtney’s House provides services to male, female and transgender victims of sex trafficking, aged 12 to 21 years. This includes outreach, an assessment of needs, intense individual and group therapy and counselling and parental support. The programme goals are to:

• Help secure a safe healing environment for each child
• Help each chld transition their mindset away from their life as a victim
• Help identify and find other children who are sex trafficking victims
• Educate and train the community and law enforcement agencies about sex trafficking in America

 

The service reaches out and seeks to identify and rescue sex trafficking victims on the streets. It provides a survivor to survivor hotline. Once identified the following services are provided:

• Assessment and intensive individual case management that is trauma-informed and survivor-focused
• Survivor support groups which focus on trauma recovery, education and life skills
• Access to mentors and academic tutoring

A support group is also provided for parents, who are seen both as having a key role in the recovery process but as also having their own support needs.

Training and awareness-raising within the professional network and the wider community are also integral to the work.There is a manual for the model, and training is available (in the USA).

Evaluations

Courtney's House has been reviewed by the California Evidence-based Clearinghouse for Child Welfare, see www.cebc4cw.org/program/courtney-s-house.

There are currently no published peer reviewed research or evaluative studies of the programme.

References

There is currently no published research or references in relation to the programme; however a manual has been produced which describes how to implement the programme – for details contact info.courtneyshouse@gmail.com.

Contact details

Email: info.courtneyshouse@gmail.com
Website: www.courtneyshouse.org
Telephone 001 202 525 1426

INFORMATION CORRECT AT MARCH 2021

RATING: Pioneering