The language youth use (“the life”, “dating” or “working”) is different than the language we use to understand the issue. Most youth also do not identify with the term prostitution. However, we can explain a term like “exploitation” in youth friendly language. (Example: “Exploitation is when you do the work and someone else takes part or all of your money; or, when you have to do things to survive that hurt you in some way.”). When engaging with a young person, we use their language. When talking to law enforcement, service providers, caregivers, or when documenting, we use ours. Slide 2 The training won’t provide in-depth expertise but should provide a basic framework to understand the issue and to do your job related to identifying these youth and connecting them to appropriate resources and supports. We will provide a list of resources and others in your community that you’ll want to partner with when serving a child who is or has been commercially sexually exploited, or is at risk. Slide 3 We all have our own beliefs and attitudes about the commercial sex trade. We will offer you context, information, lessons learned. This may challenge some things you believed – which is why it’s a process of “un-learning” as well as learning. Slide 4 In September 2014 federal legislation was passed called the “Preventing Sex Trafficking and Strengthening Families Act” that included some specific language about what child welfare systems needed to do related to children who are commercially sexually exploited. We must identify, document, and serve these children, as well as to report commercial sexual exploitation to law enforcement and to create a way to “count” these kids in FamLink (will become an AFCARS measure). Any guesses why this legislation focused on child welfare? Our system has more interaction with these youth than any other, with the possible exception of Juvenile Justice. Handout: Federal and State Laws related to CSEC
Now, pretend that you are listening to the same news report EXCEPT that this time the reporter describes, “A story about a victim of commercial sexual exploitation or, sex-trafficking”. Brainstorm 5- 10 things you would think about given that brief introduction (5 minutes) Consider the following questions: Who is this story about? What happened? Why did this happen? Who is at fault? Victim of Commercial Sexual Exploitation/Trafficking:
Yates, et al. 1991 620 runaway and/or homeless youth 10-24 years of age Los Angeles, CA 32% reportedly involved in prostitution 68% reportedly involved in prostitution Gender Breakdown among Youth Reporting CSEC Author Date Sample Size Ages Location % Males % Females % Transgender Curtis, et al. 2008 249 youth who self reported participating in CSEC markets Under the age of 18 New York City 45% of the sample were male 48% of the sample were female 8% of the sample were transgender Nationally Representative Literature Regarding the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children by Gender Author Date Sample Size Ages Location Overall Findings Research Findings for Males Research Findings for Females Edwards, Iritani & Hallfors 2008 13,294 American Youth 7th through 12th grade Nationally Representative 3.5% of all youth reported that they had exchanged sex for drugs or money. 67.9% of youth who reported they had exchanged sex were male. 32.1% of youth who reported they had exchanged sex were female.