Juvenile (under 18)
OVC FY 2022 Improving Outcomes for Child and Youth Victims of Human Trafficking
This program intends to improve outcomes for children and youth who are victims of human trafficking by—
- integrating human trafficking policy and programming at the state or Tribal level; and
- enhancing coordinated, multidisciplinary, and statewide approaches to serving trafficked youth.
OVC Materials for Trafficked Youth – A Journey Through and Beyond the Legal System
In this video, OVC and Center for Court Innovation staff discuss graphic novels focused on young human trafficking survivors’ experiences, plus an accompanying booklet that focuses on rights, roles, and responsibilities within the justice system. Learn how to use these materials to support victims and witnesses of sex and labor trafficking, ages 12–18. View the Child Victims and Witness Support Materials on Human Trafficking.
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Back to School Basics: Childproofing Our Communities from Human Trafficking
I Am Still Isabella
Summary
I Am Still Isabella tells the story of what happens to Isabella after she is removed from her home and placed with another caregiver, her auntie.
To illustrate common occurrences in cases of child removal, the story follows Isabella as she adjusts to life in her new home, regularly meets with her caseworker and counselor and discusses...
Who's That? In Criminal Court
Summary
Who’s That? In Criminal Court—a complementary piece to There’s More to Me—is a brief guide that explains the different roles of people that youth may interact with or hear about throughout their criminal case and in criminal court. It includes practical tips for preparing for court and information on some rights to which children are entitled.
Downloads
...Child Victims and Witnesses Support Materials
Funding Available to Print These Materials
To increase access to the resources in this series, the Center for Justice Innovation is offering the opportunity to print and disseminate up to $10,000 worth of the materials. The Center for Justice Innovation, through funding from OVC, is accepting applications until January 31, 2025.
Introduction
For children and youth, participating in the justice...
It's Not Just You
Summary
It’s Not Just You tells the story of two youth—Nishan and his family, when caseworkers visit their home; and Lila, when she is placed at her grandmother’s home by caseworkers after an incident.
To illustrate the common occurrences in child welfare cases, both stories showcase Nishan and Lila interacting with caseworkers, advocates, and counselors. Lila’s story also...
What's Going On? Your Rights and Who You'll Meet
Summary
What’s Going On?—a companion piece to the Sergio’s Story, Zoe’s Story, and Jamie’s Story graphic novels—provides information about—
- the various people a child or youth victim of human trafficking might meet,
- the rights a victim or witness has in different courts,
- how trafficking is defined in the United States, and
- the laws and services that might...
Brave Maya
Summary
Brave Maya tells the story of what happens to a little girl named Maya after caseworkers visit her home.
To illustrate the common occurrences in child welfare cases, the story follows Maya as she meets with caseworkers, goes to court and meets her advocate, engages with a counselor, and receives support from external family members.
Throughout the...
I Am Malik
Summary
I Am Malik tells the story of what happens to a young boy named Malik after he becomes a witness to and victim of a criminal incident involving his neighbor.
To illustrate common occurrences in criminal cases in which a child is a victim or witness, the story follows Malik as he talks to a counselor at school, goes...
About
About
Children are some of the most vulnerable members of our society and are widely held as needing greater care and protection. However, despite this, children are frequently victims of or witnesses to violence, abuse, and other crimes, including domestic violence, community violence, physical assault, sexual assault, commercial sexual exploitation, and child maltreatment.
Resulting from these high rates of exposure to violence, crime, and abuse...
Criminal Court Resources
Criminal Court Resources
Use these materials with children and youth who may have involvement with the justice system as the victim of or witness to a crime. The materials teach children about how the justice system works, what their rights are, and how they can cope with the difficult feelings they might have during the process.
Character booklets about criminal court roles and tips for coping are available...
Jamie's Story: A Journey Through (and Beyond) the Legal System
Summary
Jamie’s Story follows a young individual who identifies as nonbinary and serves as a victim witness in a sex trafficking case.
The story follows them as—
- they are questioned during a police investigation;
- speak with a prosecutor in preparation for testifying in court; and
- receive support from their therapist, group home staff, and victim advocate.
Throughout the graphic novel...
Maya's Homes
Summary
Maya’s Homes—a companion piece to Brave Maya—tells the story of what happens to Maya after she is removed from her home and placed with another caregiver, her auntie.
To illustrate common occurrences in cases of child removal, the story follows Maya as she has questions about and adjusts to life in her new home; regularly...
Who Is Everybody? In Criminal Court
Summary
Who Is Everybody? In Criminal Court is a brief guide in the I Am Malik series that explains the different roles of people that a child may interact with or hear about throughout their criminal case and in criminal court. It includes practical tips for preparing for court and information on some rights to which children are entitled.
Downloads
View
...Practitioner and Parent/Caregiver Guides
Practitioner and Parent/Caregiver Guides
These materials were specifically designed to appeal to children of different age groups (ages 2–6, ages 7–12, and ages 13–18). However, you can use whichever set of materials seems most appropriate, given the child’s stage of development.
For each age group, there are materials about the criminal justice system and the child welfare system.
The goal of these materials is to provide...
A Guide for Practitioners
A Guide for Practitioners
Child Victims and Witnesses Support Materials includes materials for young children ages 2 to 6 years old, school-age children ages 7 to 12 years old, and youth ages 13 to 18 years old. However, you can use whichever set of materials seems most appropriate for each child, given their stage of development.
For each age group, there are materials about the...