Evaluating OPTION: Benefits and Pitfalls of a Youth Trafficking Diversion Court in Florida

Trafficking diversion courts (TDCs) provide an alternative approach to supporting trafficked youth by promoting recovery, preventing revictimization, and diverting youth from the justice system. The current study examines the benefits and challenges of the OPTION ( Offering Potentially Trafficked Individuals Options Now ) Specialty Court, a Florida-based TDC designed to serve trafficked youth. Given the challenges in providing effective services, this study examined the role of OPTION in serving youth survivors. Using a mixed-methods approach, we analyzed data drawn from youth case records, provider interviews, and court debriefing observations to assess youth risk factors and provider experiences with OPTION, including interaction dynamics between providers. Results demonstrate that OPTION facilitated trauma-informed care, improved service accessibility, and fostered multidisciplinary collaboration among providers; however, resource constraints, logistical barriers, and the court’s premature termination limited its potential long-term impact. Findings expand our understanding of TDCs and highlight the need for sustainable, multidisciplinary models for combatting youth trafficking.