Unseen Victims

Unseen Victims: Identifying Trafficked Minors in Domestic Violence Calls

Law enforcement officers are often the first point of contact for minor victims of trafficking, yet these victims do not self-identify in that way. This specialized training is designed to equip officers with the skills to recognize trafficking indicators, ask the right questions, and walk out the next steps after recognition, during domestic violence calls because exploitation often hides in plain sight.

Through survivor created trauma-informed practices, forensic interview techniques, as well as compassionate and empowering questioning, officers will learn how to:

• Identify the subtle signs of trafficking in minors who do not understand or know how to disclose their exploitation.
• Ask the right questions in a way that opens trust, provides safety, and respects the child’s developmental stage.
• Engage in conversations that reveal safety concerns while avoiding retraumatization.
• Differentiate between typical domestic violence cases and those where trafficking is potentially present.
• Develop effective action plans that align with department protocols and ensure proper intervention.

By bringing together real-world scenarios and evidence-based strategies, this training empowers officers to intervene effectively and compassionately in order to protect vulnerable minors, and strengthen investigative outcomes.

‍Coming soon