PHOENIX (Jan. 13, 2025) – During Human Trafficking Awareness Month, STRENGTH Court (Success Through Resilience Empowering New Growth Through Hope) emphasizes the importance of therapeutic courts in supporting trafficked youth by using an integrated problem-solving court model where the judicial officer assigned to the STRENGTH Court docket also manages the youth’s active delinquency petition, dependency petition, or both, which provides a team of individuals to provide consistency for survivors.

“The Court and system partners recognize that the youth in this population deserve to be supported by a team that has insight into their trauma history and that can tailor their experience in the courts to avoid further traumatization,” said Melody Harmon, Associate Juvenile Presiding Judge at Durango. 

The STRENGTH Court team is comprised of Juvenile Court judges, a specially trained STRENGTH Court juvenile probation officer, a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA of Maricopa County), representatives from the Arizona Department of Child Safety, the Arizona Attorney General’s Office, and Reach for Resilience, as well as survivor advocates and other stakeholders - all working together to support trafficked youth. 

The STRENGTH Court is voluntary, and each eligible youth is allowed to attend a court hearing, meet the team, and decide whether they wish to have their case permanently transferred. The STRENGTH Court team members are specially trained to work with trafficked youth, many of whom often reside in group homes and are at high risk of running away and being drawn back into dangerous situations. To address this, the STRENGTH Court team prioritizes building rapport with them, connecting them to essential resources that support their recovery and long-term success. 

“Since its inception, STRENGTH Court has grown and garnered attention across the country for the success of the program,” said Superior Court Judge Marvin Davis. “By spreading awareness about juvenile sex trafficking, more resources have been directed towards prevention. Prevention is the key, and awareness of the risk factors is critical in protecting the youth in the community. STRENGTH Court plays a critical role in this process.”  

Youth who participate in STRENGTH Court are given the opportunity to develop and achieve their educational goals that can range from obtaining a high school diploma, GED, college courses, trade programs and other post-secondary opportunities, like the Education Transition Program, offered through the Office of the Maricopa County School Superintendent. 

For more information on the STRENGTH Court and individuals who have been helped by the program, please contact Clara Colmenero at C.Colmenero@jbazmc.maricopa.gov.

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