Safe Harbour

NYS Safe Harbour Act is implemented to strengthen our existing system to create a more effective and efficient response to youth who have experienced commercial sexual exploitation or trafficking, or who are vulnerable to it. 

Child Exploitation is defined as the act of using a child (age 0-18) for profit, labor, sexual gratification where an adult gains personal or financial advantages.

Red Flags for Sex Trafficking:

  • Unexplained absences from school for a period of time
  • Inappropriately dressed for age and/or weather
  • Engaged in sexual situations or behaviors beyond age-specific norms
  • Has a noticeably older significant other 
  • Expensive gifts, clothing, having more than one cell phone
  • Chronic running away from home or foster system
  • Homeless, couch surfing
  • Survivors of prior abuse
  • In a controlling relationship
  • Branded/ tattoos/ markings
  • Substance Abuse
  • Mental Health
  • Malnutrition, dehydrated, exhausted 

Red Flags for Labor Trafficking:

  • Unexplained absences from school for a period of time
  • Child may not be biological child of “parent” in a home-are they “working for aunt or uncle”
  • Child responsible for child care, elder care, or cleaning-may be often hidden as “chores”
  • Mental Health
  • Third-party control of schedule and social interactions
  • Inability to speak English
  • Identification documents in the hands of a third party
  • Lack of knowledge about the community
  • Malnutrition, dehydrated, exhausted 
  • Works excessively long or unusual hours
  • Living in dangerous, overcrowded or inhumane conditions
  • Fear of authorities
  • Feel pressure to repay debts

Resources:

Registration for the 2022 Safe Harbour Panel

This program is funded by NYS OCFS and Wyoming County.

  1. Kelly Nickerson

    Youth Program Coordinator

  2. Wyoming County Confidential Tip Line

    Please Note: All tips will be responded to by the next business day