Audit Finds Gaps in Services for Human Trafficking Survivors in New York
The New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) needs to improve its efforts to ensure human trafficking survivors receive the full range of services available to them, according to an audit released Wednesday by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli.
The audit found issues with data collection, oversight, and communication, which may limit survivors’ access to essential support such as shelter, health care, and legal services.
“Survivors of human trafficking face physical, emotional, and financial trauma,” DiNapoli said. “Programs exist to assist with shelter, medical and mental health care, and legal services, but better monitoring of social services offices and service providers by OTDA, along with better data collection, can help eliminate barriers to assistance and support for victims.”
OTDA oversees the Response to Human Trafficking Program (RHTP), which refers confirmed trafficking survivors to local Department of Social Services (DSS) offices or nonprofit service providers for support. However, the audit found that OTDA does not track whether survivors follow through with these referrals or which services they ultimately use.
Between January 2019 and October 2023, there were 1,384 confirmed trafficking survivors in New York. Of these, 64% were referred to DSS offices, while 36% were directed to service providers for case management, legal aid, housing assistance, and counseling.
Auditors found that 74 out of 139 survivors (53%) referred to DSS offices did not make contact, meaning they did not receive benefits they were eligible for. Additionally, the agency does not track whether survivors who seek help from DSS offices are also connected with service providers for additional support.
The audit also identified incomplete case files and a lack of clear documentation regarding required services. A review of 58 case files found missing paperwork, including case management plans, health assessments, and signed applications for services.
Service providers reported difficulties in navigating OTDA’s requirements, citing a lack of guidance and high staff turnover as challenges in implementing the program effectively. The audit recommended that OTDA improve its communication and oversight to ensure services are being provided as intended.
Under New York law, OTDA and the Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) have six days to determine whether an individual meets the criteria for human trafficking survivor status. However, auditors found that 23% of cases exceeded this deadline, with some taking more than 15 days for confirmation.
While OTDA indicated that delays sometimes resulted from requests for additional information, auditors found instances where no such requests were documented, raising concerns about potential processing inefficiencies.
The audit also examined how state funds were allocated to service providers assisting trafficking survivors. Of the funds allocated to 11 providers, only 39% had been used as of June 2024—three years into their five-year contracts.
In one case, a provider spent only 25% of its $1 million state grant halfway through its contract period. The provider reported not fully understanding OTDA’s program benefits and instead relied on other funding sources to assist survivors. OTDA did not clarify available benefits until a site visit in early 2024.
DiNapoli’s audit recommended that OTDA:
Improve data collection and monitoring to track the effectiveness of the Response to Human Trafficking Program.
Provide better guidance and communication to service providers.
Clarify the roles and responsibilities of staff at local DSS offices to ensure they understand how to assist survivors.
In response, OTDA largely disagreed with the audit’s findings, citing challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic, which limited in-person outreach and contributed to staffing shortages among providers.
Despite these concerns, the audit emphasized the need for stronger oversight and clearer communication to ensure survivors receive the support they need.