LAS VEGAS (Las Vegas News) — Community advocates, legal experts and local officials are advancing efforts to decriminalize child trafficking victims and expand protections for vulnerable youth in Southern Nevada.
A collaborative discussion involving representatives from the District Attorney’s Office, Department of Family Services (DFS) and legal advocacy groups highlighted a growing initiative to establish a specialized receiving center for children who have been trafficked. The goal is to break the cycle that often leads foster youth back into exploitation.
The effort was discussed by Ellie Roohani, a human trafficking victims’ advocate with the Legal Aid Center and the Resiliency & Justice Center, during a conversation with Clark County Courts Judge Margaret Pickard, along with DFS officials Jennifer Erbes and Allyson Manumaleuna.
Focus on Breaking the Cycle
Advocates say trafficked children are too often treated as offenders rather than victims — a systemic issue they aim to correct through policy reform and expanded services.
The proposed receiving center would provide immediate, trauma-informed care for rescued youth, offering a safe alternative to detention or returning them to unstable environments. Officials say this model is critical to preventing re-exploitation.
“Decriminalizing victimization is a key step toward ensuring these children receive the support they need rather than punishment,” participants emphasized during the discussion.
Foster Care Vulnerabilities Highlighted
The conversation also addressed the disproportionate risk faced by youth within the foster care system, who are frequently targeted by traffickers due to instability, lack of resources and limited support networks.
Officials and advocates noted that without intervention, many victims are repeatedly drawn back into trafficking situations — underscoring the urgency of systemic reform.
Multi-Agency Collaboration
The initiative reflects a coordinated approach among law enforcement, courts and social services to address human trafficking at its root.
The Legal Aid Center and Resiliency & Justice Center continue to play a central role in victim advocacy, while DFS and the courts are working to align policies that prioritize rehabilitation over criminalization.
Public Engagement and Awareness
The full discussion is available through Our Nevada Judges, Inc., which hosted the conversation to raise awareness and encourage community involvement in addressing trafficking and foster care challenges.
Officials say public education and cross-agency collaboration will be essential to implementing lasting change.
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