Examining the Link: Foster Care Runaway Episodes and Human Trafficking

Children and youth who run from foster care placements are a growing concern among policymakers andpractitioners.1,2 A large number of youth in foster care run away from their placement at least once, and many
do multiple times. Running from care is associated with a range of serious negative consequences, including human trafficking victimization.
This brief summarizes and builds on a 2019 report to Congress, The Child Welfare System Response to Sex Trafficking of Children.
3 In this brief, we first discuss the number of youth who run from foster care, factors that place youth at risk of running from care, and the evidence around running from care and sex trafficking victimization. Where applicable, we also review the evidence around running from care and labor trafficking. We conclude with a discussion of promising efforts to reduce runaway behavior. OPRE Report ; 2020-143. Latzman, Natasha E. Gibbbs, Deborah A. RTI International. 2020 Sponsoring Organization: United States. Administration for Children and Families. Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation. CLICK HERE