The National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges is the oldest judicial membership organization in the country and provides all judges, courts, and related agencies involved with juvenile, family, and domestic violence cases with the knowledge and skills to improve the lives of the families and children who seek justice.
To better assist juvenile and family court judges and system professionals, the NCJFCJ has developed focus areas for its professional resources that include child abuse and neglect, domestic violence, family law, juvenile justice, mental health, research, military families, technical assistance, and tribal resources.
The NCJFCJ is a leader in the development and implementation of policy and practice. Explore our impact state-by-state.
Learn About Our ImpactThe NCJFCJ is at the forefront working to improve national policy and system practices affecting children, families and victims. Your involvement with us strengthens our impact and enables us to achieve better outcomes for those involved in the juvenile and family court system.
There are many avenues through which minor victims of trafficking enter the juvenile justice system. Due to the power and control exercised by their traffickers, victims are often forced or coerced to commit crimes they otherwise would not commit. Many victims of trafficking enter the criminal justice system for offenses committed as a direct result of their trafficking.
It is vital that any efforts to address child sex trafficking in our communities must include not only survivor input but also provide opportunities for survivors to lead this work. Survivor leaders are people who hold leadership positions within their field and/or provide guidance to other survivors. Organizations and individuals must be thoughtful about why, when, and how they engage survivor leaders in the work.
Although initially embraced as an emergency measure, virtual proceedings continue to be utilized even as jurisdictions increasingly lift restrictions on in-person hearings. Before proceeding with virtual hearings, judges should be mindful of access to technology, constitutional implications, and the limitations of remote proceedings specific to youth.
