CSEC: Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children

Human Trafficking is a form of modern-day slavery and involves the use of force, fraud, or coercion to obtain some type of labor or commercial sex act. Sex trafficking involves individuals profiting from sexual exploitation of others and has physical and emotional consequences for its victims. This involuntary servitude results in grave human rights violations.

Commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC) is a commercial transaction that involves the sexual exploitation of a child, such as the prostitution of children and child pornography.

CSEC may involve coercion and violence against children and amount to forced labor and a form of contemporary slavery as well as offering the sexual services of children for compensation, financial or otherwise.

The average age of entry for CSEC victims is usually between the ages of 12-14. This is not the only ages at risk however. Recent studied have labeled 200,000-300,000 children in danger of being trafficked yearly domestically in the United States. Here are a few risk factors for those in danger of being victims:

• Youth living in groups homes and involved with the Department of Children, Youth and Families. (DCYF)
• Youth with a history of sexually abuse
• Children with developmental disabilities
• Bullied youth
• LGBT youth
• ALL teens seeking attention and relationships

• Unexplained tattoos: tattoos with initials that do not belong to them and may not want to reveal, or of barcodes.
• Runaway and homeless youth: especially youth from group homes.
• Youth girls with significantly older “boyfriends”: this is a common method victims protect the identity of their trafficker or “pimp”, by referring to him as their boyfriend.
• Low, or no, school attendance: If a youth has little or connection with family members, this is an added risk factor. Low or little family supervision can allow for the child to become a victim. Youth missing curfew or staying out late.
• Youth, or child, with high knowledge of sexual behavior

There are many driving factors of human trafficking and child exploitation, but the number one driver of this industry is the demand. According to the International Labour Organization (ILOP) human trafficking brings in an estimated 150 billion dollars annually, 99 billion in sex trafficking and 51 billion in labor related trafficking. The legal ramifications for 'johns', or those buying from traffickers, and the traffickers themselves have been very low thus far. The United States as a whole is working to created stronger legal ramifications for 'johns' and traffickers to protect victims.

There are many other factors, for example, the glorified life of “pimps” or traffickers in the media and sexualization of children is a drive for sex trafficking.

This also muddles the understanding of consent; there is no such thing as a child prostitute. It is important the police, hospitals, and the community are informed that these youth are victims and need proper treatment and resources.

Every state in the United States has had a reported case of human trafficking. No city, small town, rural or suburban, is exempt from this heinous crime. It is important that we take the steps as a nation to proper prepare our communities, hospitals, schools, and police departments to capture traffickers and 'johns' and provide the proper treatment of trafficked victims.

While exact data for Rhode Island overall is hard to find, we do track the cases that come into Day One. We work on over 100 referred cases each year, and also complete hundreds of screenings each year using a screening tool developed with the Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) and the Rhode Island Human Trafficking Taskforce. The CSEC Screening tool is currently being used to identify youth involved with DCYF and in congregate care that may be ‘At Risk’, ‘High Risk’, or a ‘Confirmed Victim’ of child exploitation, with re-screening every six months or when absent from care to account for changes in risk status. Through the CSEC Screening Tool, the Rhode Island Child Welfare System hopes to better identify children and youth who have an increased level of risk or status of ‘confirmed victims’ and provide them with access to resources available to better serve them and their families.

In Rhode Island, we have a set protocol to follow if you believe someone is being trafficked. You can access or download it here.

Other steps you can take:

If you believe that someone you know is being trafficked call 911 if you believe they are in immediate danger and the police department if you want to report a non-emergency. There is also a National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888- 373-7888 or 233733 (Text "HELP" or "INFO").

1. Girls Like Us, by Rachel Lloyd
2. The Survivors Guide to Leaving, written by Sheila White with Rachel Lloyd
3. Imprisoned: The Travails of a Trafficked Victim, written by Bukola Love Oriola
4. Sex Trafficking, Inside the Business of Modern Day Slavery, written by Siddharth Kara
5. Lost Girls, written by Robert Kolker
6. The Johns, written by Victor Malarek
7. Very Young Girls directed by Nina Alvarez

Our advocacy team is currently developing more ways for the community to become more involved in helping support trafficking and CSEC victims. It is important that we focus on treatment and prevention. My Life, My Choice is a great way to assist victims and at-risk youth under 18 to learn in a group of their peers. If you know a young person who is at risk, involved with, or recovering from human trafficking, contact our CSEC MDT at 401-421-4100 Ext. 160. For clinical services, contact our Clinical Coordinator at 401-421-4100 Ext. 121 or fill out our Request for Service form.

Another way to help is to become a helpline advocate. Helpline volunteers will be able to support victims of sexual abuse, who make up 90% of trafficking victims, and link them to healing resources at Day One. For information for our next Helpline training contact our Advocacy Coordinator at 401-421-4100 ext. 146 or fill out our volunteer form.

Day One provides community or organizational trainings on a regular basis. Contact 401-421-4100, info@dayone.org or fill out a request for training form. If you are interested in donating to our prevention efforts, please click here.