This workshop examines how system responses, policies, and provisions aim to protect trafficked and exploited youth but often lack safety nets to prevent entanglements in the juvenile justice system, sweeping some survivors and unidentified victims with frequent running away behaviors into the criminal legal system. We will explore these existing policies and the on-the-ground experiences of youth labeled as runaways to explore alternative policy provisions, coordinated public and private multidisciplinary approaches, and education/awareness efforts to prevent further victimization and close the on-ramps to exploitation and abuse.