Confronting Commercial Sexual Exploitation and Sex Trafficking of Minors in the United States (2013) / Chapter Skim
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1 Introduction
1 Introduction
Pages 19-40
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From page 19... ...
Although a modest amount of research and noteworthy practices and programs have emerged, far more needs to be known if commercial sexual exploitation and sex trafficking of minors in the United States are to be adequately addressed. This report aims to offer a comprehensive picture of what is currently known about these problems by connecting the dots between more established fields of research and practice and the emerging body of work on commercial sexual exploitation and sex trafficking of minors in the United States.
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From page 20... ...
The absence of specific policies and protocols related to commercial sexual exploitation and sex trafficking of minors, coupled with a lack of specialized training, makes it difficult to identify victims and survivors of these crimes. Victims and survivors may be distrustful of law enforcement, may not view themselves as "victims," or may be too traumatized to report or disclose the crimes committed against them.
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It is in this context that the committee conducted its study. Statement of task and study scope Recognizing the challenges of addressing commercial sexual exploitation and sex trafficking of minors in the United States, the Department of Justice's Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention requested an in-depth, independent examination of these problems in the United States.
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From page 22... ...
xperiences with commercial sexual exploitation and sex trafficking E among populations served by child welfare and juvenile justice systems; 4. Evidence associated with selected efforts in human services, health care, education, and law enforcement settings to prevent commercial sexual exploitation and sex trafficking of minors and to intervene with victims and offenders; 5.
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From page 23... ...
Therefore, this report and the recommendations offered herein focus on the commercial sexual exploitation and sex trafficking of minors who are citizens or lawful permanent residents of the United States and its territories, as directed by the committee's charge. However, it is the committee's consensus opinion that all instances of commercial sexual exploitation and sex trafficking of minors that occur within the United States deserve equal attention and that all victims and survivors of these crimes deserve the same protections and services.
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Next, the committee found that the law enforcement response to child pornography and commercial sexual exploitation and sex trafficking of minors differs greatly. For example, victims of child pornography are not arrested, whereas many victims of commercial sexual exploitation and sex trafficking are.
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Sixth, the committee was charged with examining only commercial forms of child sexual exploitation and sex trafficking. Therefore, other forms of child sexual abuse, including incest and rape, are included as risk factors for commercial sexual exploitation and sex trafficking of minors, but are not a primary focus of this study.
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As this report demonstrates, the systems charged with protecting and serving children and adolescents (e.g., juvenile justice and child welfare) are not designed to support and assist victims and survivors of commercial sexual exploitation and sex trafficking effectively.
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The committee recognizes that reporting of child abuse is required by law, and does not condone nonadherence when current legal man dates encompass cases of commercial sexual exploitation and sex trafficking. At the same time, the committee believes that the evidence that reporting often fails to benefit and can harm victims of commercial sexual exploitation and sex traf ficking of minors undermines the ethical foundation of mandatory reporting.
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Despite the increase in scholarly interest, numerous challenges to conducting research on commercial sexual exploitation and sex trafficking of minors exist. These challenges include, among others, considerable ethical issues (e.g., the assignment of subjects to experimental and control groups)
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The committee intends this report to represent a significant step forward in advancing research, policy, and practice on underexamined and overlooked issues related to commercial sexual exploitation and sex trafficking of minors in the United States. In the chapters that follow, the committee evaluates the available relevant data, identifies gaps in the literature, and in its recommendations addresses the need for additional research.
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. The result is the absence of a shared language regarding commercial sexual exploitation and sex trafficking of minors.
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In its review, however, the committee found that disentangling commercial sexual exploitation from sex trafficking was impossible in many instances, given both the inconsistent use of terminology and, equally important, the fact that the two terms involve many of the same crimes. As established above in the discussion of the study scope, this report focuses on trafficking for purposes of prostitution, prostitution, and survival sex, with less emphasis on pornography, sex tourism, mail order bride trade, stripping, and performing in sexual venues.
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. Child Abuse Commercial Sexual Exploitation and Sex Trafficking of Minors FIGURE 1-1 Commercial sexual exploitation and sex trafficking of minors are forms of child abuse.
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Prostituted Child, Not Child Prostitute Some victims of commercial sexual exploitation and sex trafficking are referred to as child prostitutes, juvenile prostitutes, or adolescent prostitutes. Prostitution is illegal in nearly all jurisdictions in the United States, and individuals who engage in prostitution are considered criminals.
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From page 34... ...
as opposed to child (juvenile, adolescent) prostitute to describe victims of commercial sexual exploitation and sex trafficking.1 This usage is consistent with the committee's definition and understanding of commercial sexual exploitation and sex trafficking of minors.
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. In addition to this earlier work of the National Academies, the committee drew important lessons from the collection of efforts and research aimed at addressing commercial sexual exploitation and sex trafficking of minors and related issues by a range of engaged stakeholders.
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Part II, which includes Chapters 5-10, examines current and emerging strategies for preventing and identifying commercial sexual exploitation and sex trafficking of minors, for assisting and supporting victims and survivors, and for addressing exploiters and traffickers. Part III offers a path forward through recommendations designed to increase awareness; advance understanding; and support efforts to prevent, identify, and respond to the commercial sexual exploitation and sex trafficking of minors in the United States.
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From page 37... ...
Chapter 6 describes a broad range of actors and approaches at the federal, state, and local levels involved in providing supportive services to victims and survivors of commercial sexual exploitation and sex trafficking of minors. The chapter reviews current and emerging practices in child welfare and child protective services agencies, within the federal and state governments, and in nongovernmental organizations.
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Appendix A offers an in-depth discussion of terminology related to commercial sexual exploitation and sex trafficking of minors. Appendix B provides selected examples of international efforts to address commercial sexual exploitation and sex trafficking of minors.
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2012. Presentation to the Committee on the Commercial Sexual Exploitation and Sex Trafficking of Minors in the United States.
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