The National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges’ (NCJFCJ) 2019 Annual Report, Reflection & Redefinition, looks back at the extraordinary achievements of the NCJFCJ in 2019.
The members of the NCJFCJ are the driving force for change. In 2019, the NCJFCJ was proud to have members in every state, including D.C., and international countries and territories. The NCJFCJ team traveled more than 2.7 million miles to train, educate, and meet with 6,600 judges, judicial officers, and other juvenile and family-court related professionals in 2019.
Achievements featured in this Annual Report are only possible due to the hard work of our Board of Directors, members, staff, and supporters around the world.
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.