The Middlesex TRACE (Team Response Against Child Exploitation) Program was created to encourage youth who are involved in commercial sexual exploitation (CSEC) to feel safe, break ties with their exploiter, and seize opportunities to regain control of their lives and futures.
A CSEC-involved youth is one who has disclosed or is suspected of having exchanged sexual activity for shelter, food, money, drugs, education, care, or anything of value.
Our TRACE Coordinator is a trained Forensic Interviewer who has received specialized training about child exploitation and trafficking. When the Middlesex CAC is notified about a CSEC-involved youth, the TRACE Coordinator will promptly coordinate a multidisciplinary team (MDT) response. As indicated, she will conduct a forensic interview and work with the MDT to assess risk and safety, and ensure the youth has access to basic needs (food, shelter), medical and mental health care, substance abuse treatment, mentors, and advocates.
By fostering creativity in our MDT response, our TRACE Coordinator strives to enhance our efforts to identify and hold those who sexually exploit and traffic youth accountable.
