In April 2020, during National Child Abuse Prevention Month, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office on Trafficking in Persons (OTIP) and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) are hosting four listening sessions about child trafficking and exploitation during the COVID‑19 pandemic.

We invite you to join the discussion about prevention and response strategies at the federal, state, and local levels. Discussion will also include how COVID-19 affects vulnerability to exploitation and access to supportive services for children and youth across the country.

Each listening session will include a brief presentation and a facilitated discussion during which you may share information and ask questions related to the topic. We want to learn about your efforts to safeguard children and youth during the COVID-19 public health crisis.

• How can we apply our knowledge of risk and protective factors to this public health crisis?
• Which programs or resources can we adapt to address child trafficking and exploitation during COVID-19?
• What gaps exist in services to prevent and respond to children and youth experiencing trafficking and exploitation?
• What systems and interventions need to be adapted during COVID-19 to support the needs of children and youth experiencing trafficking or at risk for exploitation??

Prevention of Online Child Exploitation will discuss prevention of online child exploitation (grooming, recruitment, etc.) during COVID-19 when more youth are spending time online, are disconnected from peers and other social supports, and are not attending school. Presenters will share thoughts on the impact of isolation, lessons learned related to COVID-19, and resources and strategies to mitigate risk.