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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
- Wyoming County 2020 Safe Harbor Panel - Video
- National Human Trafficking Hotline Number: 1-888-373-7888 or text “HELP” to 233733
- Polaris Project
- Office of Children and Family Services Indictors of Human Trafficking
- The Potter's Hand Foundation
- Framework for a Human Trafficking Protocol in Health Care Settings
- Wyoming County Resource Guide
This program is funded by NYS OCFS and Wyoming County.
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Kelly Nickerson
Youth Program CoordinatorPhone: 585-786-8850
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Wyoming County Confidential Tip Line
Phone: 585-786-8965Please Note: All tips will be responded to by the next business day