Foster Care and Trafficking: What Does it Mean to Age Out of Foster Care?
Foster care and human trafficking intersect as evidence has shown that foster youth are more susceptible to human trafficking. Vulnerable populations endure obstacles that correlate to susceptibility to human trafficking (i.e. homelessness, unemployment, difficulty obtaining postsecondary education and financial instability). Furthermore, foster youth who have previously experienced trauma throughout their lives, whether within the foster system or prior to entering care, often find themselves more vulnerable to trafficking. Additionally, the absence of support for those exploring their identity as LGBTQ+ increases vulnerability to human trafficking. It is worth asking what systems are failing foster youth and how aging out of foster care correlates to human trafficking.
Aging out of Foster Care: What does it mean and how does it correlate to human trafficking?
Aging out of foster care essentially means that foster youth become of age, typically around 18 years old and some cases 21, to live independent lives. The foster care system serves as a protective institution for families who are unable to care for children. In Human Trafficking Search’s study, the organization evaluates the overall effectiveness of foster care institutions and regulations by state. The study conducted looks at aging out policies, kinship care, relevant foster care provisions, task forces, LGBTQ+ youth protections, anti-trafficking provisions and state reporting laws, in which some provisions have proven ineffective over time. Ultimately, the study reiterates the findings of effective policies across states, “However, preliminary research has shown that anywhere from 50 to 90% of child trafficking victims have been involved in the foster care system at some point.”
Photo by Jesús Rodríguez on Unsplash
How Do Foster Care Benefits and Kinship Care Impact Susceptibility to Human Trafficking?
The benefits individuals receive from the government while in foster care are often temporary. The cutoff to services and benefits, according to the U.S. Department of Education, can vary from as early as 18 years old (the most common age of aging out of foster care) to as late as 23. The outcomes associated with the cutoff of such services and benefits are involved with legal troubles, pregnancy and homelessness. As cited by the Human Trafficking Search in 2017, “According to one study, 71% of young women aging out of foster care become pregnant by 21, facing higher rates of unemployment, criminal conviction, public assistance, and involvement in the child welfare system.” There are programs in place to support vulnerable foster youth, such as the Chafee Foster Care Independence Program, however, many states do not provide additional housing assistance. Another government provision is the Fostering Connections Act, yet foster youth aging out of foster care are not always eligible.
Another course of support for foster youth is kinship care. Kinship care, the raising of a child by extended family, is typically ideal for foster youth because such care decreases the likelihood of one being at risk for human trafficking.
But what happens when kinship care is not an option?
Since aging-out foster youth have limited resources after kinship care and governmental assistance, some may seek shelter in bus stations, local parks and behind businesses. Unfortunately, traffickers are prevalent in those public spaces. From there, the susceptibility to grooming by a human trafficker intensifies, many aging out of foster care confide in perpetrators (perpetrators use this to their advantage) to make up for being separated from their families, rejection of their identity and lack of affection. Once one finds themselves in a trafficking situation, it may be more difficult to have access to survivor assistance programs.
What Can You Do?
After reading this blog post, you may be eager to inform others about the intersectionality of foster careand human trafficking. In fact, to advocate on behalf of foster youth in May, Foster Care Awareness Month, you can choose to donate to Dressember in support of anti-trafficking organizations. Through conversation, supporting foster youth and staying educated on the intersectionality of trafficking, we can work together to end human trafficking in our lifetime.
About the Author
Porsche Smith is a biracial young woman who is a rising college freshman based in North Carolina. Her mission is to couple community involvement and psychology to impact the youth internationally. She believes the socioeconomic status of an individual should not limit their ability to receive adequate resources. When Porsche isn't challenging global systems today, she enjoys diving into self-care by engaging in Bible studies, appreciating nature’s beauty and coffee dates with friends.