Human Trafficking continues to impact vulnerable individuals across communities, frequently going unnoticed or misidentified.

Therapeutic courts, such as STRENGTH Court (Success Through Resilience Empowering New Growth Through Hope), play a vital role in addressing this issue by providing consistent support and connections to services designed to promote healing, stability, and long-term success for trafficked youths. In parallel and through specialized training, probation officers work to recognize victimization, respond with compassion, and connect individuals to the appropriate resources to help make a positive impact in their lives.

“STRENGTH Court provides a unique opportunity to bring youth, their team members, and the court together to address barriers in a trauma-informed setting and celebrate successes,” said Maricopa County Associate Presiding Judge Danielle Viola. “The therapeutic approach in STRENGTH Court allows me the opportunity to connect with youth who may be reluctant to trust the court or the justice system due to their past experiences.”

The STRENGTH Court team often includes juvenile court judges, a specially trained 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, Reach for Resilience, survivor advocates, and other community partners. These individuals not only encourage youth survivors but also celebrate each of their accomplishments.

“I look forward to acknowledging the success of our youth that ranges from attending school on a regular basis to earning a GED, maintaining sobriety, completing probation, remaining in a safe environment, getting a job, becoming a leader, or maintaining healthy boundaries,” said Judge Viola.

“I am always amazed by the strength and resilience of the youth in the program and am very proud of their accomplishments,” said Juvenile Associate Presiding Judge Marvin Davis. “These youth have been through unimaginable situations, and despite this, they show courage and emerge as strong-willed, confident individuals who have amazing plans for future success despite having significant trauma in their background.  A juvenile’s success in STRENGTH Court is entirely attributable to the juvenile and the hard-working individuals (“The Team”) who are dedicated to helping sex-trafficked youth.”

A 13-member work group within the Maricopa County Adult Probation Department (APD) is developing training to help officers identify potential human trafficking victims and use trauma-informed care during field contacts. Probation officers may encounter trafficked victims in the community or while on supervision, and the training will provide guidance on available resources to better support them. The effort is being developed with support from Dominique Roe-Sepowitz, director of the Office of Sex Trafficking Intervention and Research at Arizona State University.

Prior to the pandemic, APD conducted a large-scale training initiative in partnership with the ASU Office of Sex Trafficking Intervention and Research (STIR), which involved the management team and 200 probation officers. The training is making an impact, as a team of probation officers and supervisors recently assisted a young woman, identified as a potential human trafficking victim who was in possible danger, and led her to a safe shelter and eventual reunification with her family.

“This team demonstrated how cohesive collaboration, shared mission, and selfless service can make a profound difference in someone’s life,” said Adult Probation Division Manager Tiffany Grissom. “Their actions not only advanced the core mission of public safety and rehabilitation but did so with empathy, professionalism, and exceptional coordination, further exemplifying the highest standards of teamwork within the Judicial Branch.”

STRENGTH Court currently has two judicial officers who oversee approximately 50 cases each month. Youth can participate if they have an open juvenile court case and have been identified as a victim of sex trafficking. Participation in the program is completely voluntary. The therapeutic courts, probation officers, and community partners continue to work year-round to ensure survivors receive the resources and opportunities they need to heal and thrive. 

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