Human Trafficking Diversion Program Objectives

• To minimize recidivism for women and men who are identified as victims of human trafficking and/or individuals involved in the sex trade through education, assistance, and community support. 
• To provide resources to qualified participants which empower them to pursue a safer and more stable future. 
• To provide education and community support as an alternative to criminal prosecution.

Program Participation

Police officers with the Colorado Springs Police Department will arrest and issue summons for individuals engaged in prostitution.  They will be given a court date in the First Appearance Center.  On their first court appearance ,the candidates will be given information about the program and given the opportunity to participate.  If the candidate chooses not to participate in the program, the candidate may plead guilty to the charge and face the statutory penalties (including potential incarceration) or request a jury trial. 

 If the candidate chooses to participate in the program and successfully attends the four sessions, the charges will be dismissed at a graduation ceremony at the end of the session – without the need to return to court.

Programming

Each participant must attend and participate in all four sessions in order to successfully complete the diversion program and earn a case dismissal. In these sessions, the participants will complete a needs assessment; be introduced to health education; learn about available work, finance, and education resources; and attend a resource fair.  There will be an opportunity for make-up sessions, but participants will be required to provide notification prior to a missed session and have a valid reason for the absence.

Diversion Sessions

Diversion sessions will be led by our volunteer community partners to include:

Human Trafficking Taskforce of Southern Colorado,

 Memorial Hospital FNE Program

 The Human Trafficking Taskforce

Reclaiming Hope

TESSA

 Colorado Department of Human Resources

 Colorado Springs Police Department

Dream Center

Please note: The Fourth Judicial District Attorney’s Office will volunteer the use of a meeting space and resources for the session meetings.

Number of Participants

The programming will begin when there are at least 4 qualified participants. In order to provide as much individualized attention as possible, we hope to have no more than 8 -10 participants per group.



Measure of Success

Success will be measured by recidivism among participants. Officers of the Colorado Springs Police Department will report whether individuals committed new criminal offenses after 6, 12, 18 and 24 months from graduation.