Screening for & Responding to Child Labor Trafficking (September 22, 2025)
Child Labor Trafficking in the US (PowerPoint) – Katherine Kaufka Walts, JD
Understanding the Trauma Informed Approach to Human Trafficking Victims: A Judge’s Perspective (PowerPoint) – Hon. Virginia M. Kendall
Resources
Breaking the Law: The Failure to Award Mandatory Criminal Restitution to Victims in Sex Trafficking Cases – research report on the use (non-use) of mandatory restitution in human trafficking cases from the Human Trafficking Legal Center
Child Labor Trafficking, A Hidden Crime, by Katherine Kaufka Walts – addresses both US and non-US citizen cases of child labor trafficking as well as recommendations for interventions
Description
Child labor trafficking remains one of the most misunderstood and under-identified forms of child exploitation. Misidentification can result in missed opportunities for protection, justice, and recovery for both U.S. citizen and foreign national child victims.
This webinar explores what child labor trafficking is, why it often goes unnoticed, and the vital role judges, attorneys, prosecutors, law enforcement and other professionals who encounter child labor trafficking victims can play in protecting and connecting labor trafficked victims to the services and support they need to escape traffickers and heal and thrive. This session offers practical insights into identifying victims, using screening tools effectively, and applying research to real-world case studies.
Faculty highlight the vital role judges play in advancing justice for trafficked children—from courtroom rulings that safeguard child victim-witnesses to the importance of collaboration with governmental and nongovernmental agencies in order to ensure comprehensive support.
Faculty
- Katherine Kaufka Walts, JD, Director, Center for the Human Rights of Children, Loyola University Chicago School of Law
- Hon. Virginia M. Kendall, Chief Judge, United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois
- Hon. Chanpone P. Sinlapasai, Circuit Court Judge, Multnomah County Circuit Court, Portland, Oregon
Child Labor Trafficking in the US: An Overview of Research, Law & Policy, and Opportunities for Action (May 6, 2025)
Child Labor Trafficking in the U.S. (PowerPoint)
Description
Judges can be the first line of defense in identifying human trafficking cases, yet the complexities of these cases can make them difficult to detect. While there have been strides made to strengthen responses to child sex trafficking, child labor trafficking cases often remain hidden, or are challenging to distinguish from other civil and criminal violations. This webinar provides judges, court staff, attorneys, victim advocates, and other professionals with critical insights, cutting edge research, recent case law, and policy developments to help identify trafficking indicators among minors. Participants learn practical strategies to ensure that affected children receive appropriate protections.
While opportunities for action and strategies will be focused for judges, court staff, victim’s attorneys and advocates, the content is applicable to many other stakeholders, including government, nongovernment, health, community, and first responder professionals.
Faculty
- Katherine Kaufka Walts, JD, Director of the Center for the Human Rights of Children, Loyola University Chicago School of Law