TRIO McNair Scholars Research Journal

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The Foster Care System: A Segue to Sex Trafficking
(University of Oregon, 2024-07-01) Mackey, Blu; Todahl, Jeff
Sex trafficking is a prevalent and persistent human rights, social justice, and economics issue. Fueled by a multi-million-dollar industry, this complex global epidemic is compounded by poorly resourced government and private sector response systems. The United States foster care system in particular serves youth at risk for sex trafficking and is well-positioned to provide trauma-informed services that support youth and act as a buffer for harm. However, given overall poor systems alignment and inadequate access to trauma-informed therapy and healthcare services, U.S. foster youth—who are disproportionately lower income and of historically excluded ethnicities—are particularly vulnerable to trafficking. As a result, advocacy groups have urged government officials to use their power for positive reform through the construction of systems and equitable foster care practices that account for race, ethnicity, and social class. This systematic literature review explores the evolution of sex trafficking in the United States between the years 2000 and 2023, examines systems response, and investigates a more effective approach to foster care and systematic reform in response to the prevalence of sex trafficking.