Who is a CSEC?

CSEC: Framing the Issue

According to the Trafficking Victims Protection Act, a federal law passed in 2000, any child under the age of 18 years old that is used for the purpose of exploitation through sexual servitude (prostitution), regardless of the absence of economic leverage, manipulation, fraud, coercion, threats, force and violence is considered a commercially sexually exploited child (CSEC). (1) A child victim of human trafficking does not have to prove that they were tricked or violently forced into sexual exploitation in order to be considered a victim of human trafficking under this federal law. This law applies to every child human trafficking victim in the United States.

Key Issues Facing CSEC Nationally:

Earlier childhood sexual abuse greatly increases vulnerability to commercial sexual exploitation during teens.
According to national statistics children who are sexually abused in earlier childhood are four times more likely than their peers to be targeted and victimized by commercial sexual exploitation. Nationally, 95% of “teen prostitutes” were victims of earlier childhood sexual abuse. (2)

Psychological trauma, especially Stockholm’s Syndrome, greatly impacts CSEC’s ability to cooperate with law enforcement efforts.
Many CSEC who suffer psychological trauma are seen as willing participants in their own exploitation. The psychological trauma they suffer is similar to the trauma that occurs in domestic violence victims.

Commercially sexually exploited children are routinely arrested as prostitutes and charged with prostitution.
Every act of "prostitution" where a child is involved is actually an act of child rape and sexual exploitation. Every child that is involved in “prostitution” is actually a victim of child abuse, even when they don’t fit the legal definition of a CSEC.

A large number of CSEC have been removed from the care and custody of their families and are wards or dependents of the state.
The resources available to social workers and probation officers, especially placement and facilities, do not meet the current needs of CSEC. Specialized staff, placement, facilities, programs and services are needed within the Juvenile Probation and Child Welfare Systems to fill this gap and serve these children as victims.

The public systems’ adherence to the TVPA (2000) is critical to the recovery and sustainability of commercially sexually exploited children.
Adherence to the TVPA will rely on state & local policy. Education and training coupled with CSEC-specific services and facilities within the public system is required for implementation of the TVPA.

Techniques Used by Exploiters

Recruitment
Seduction
Isolation
Coercion
Violence

CSEC Risk Factors

Earlier childhood sexual abuse
Homelessness
Running Away
Inadequate supervision or care
Inadequate food, clothing and shelter
Family and/or community history of exploitation
Exposure to domestic violence in the home

Use of Technology in CSEC

Computer/Internet
Cell Phones/Text Messaging
Digital Cameras
Web Cameras
Global positioning system (GPS)

Local Population Statistics**

61% had been raped one or more times
55% were foster care youth from group homes
82% had previously runaway from home multiple times
60% had previously been arrested for solicitation
58% were currently on probation

**Of 149 youth assessed by the program between August 30, 2006 and September 30, 2007

Q. What is the difference between sexual exploitation and the commercial sexual exploitation of children?

A: Sexually exploited children exchange sex to have their basic needs met (i.e., food, clothing, shelter, care), whereas commercially sexually exploited children exchange sex so that a third party can profit from the sale of their body. Both children are victims, CSEC are victims of human trafficking.

Content References:

Victims of Trafficking and Violence Prevention Act of 2000, H.R. 3244, 106th Cong., 2nd Sess. (2000).
Estes, Richard J. and Neil Alan Weiner. “The Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children In the U. S., Canada and Mexico.” University of Pennsylvania, School of Social Work. Center for the Study of Youth Policy. September 18th, 2001.

CSEC Profiles

Commercially Sexually Exploited Children (CSEC) are victims. Many of these children come from homes of neglect, or run away from home at an early age because of physical and sexual abuse from their families. The scenarios in which each CSEC finds herself/himself are different and varied, but overwhelmingly, these most vulnerable members of our society become victims of Human Trafficking, a modern form of slavery. Although names have been changed to protect their identities, these are the actual stories of girls that MISSSEY has worked with.

Profile #1: Renee

Renee is sixteen. At age eleven, she was placed in foster care. After her mother’s unexpected death, she experienced sexual abuse from her stepfather. Placement with her extended family was not an option due to their history of drug abuse and child neglect. Instead, Renee was placed in a group home. Soon after her arrival, Renee became friends with a girl living there named Sarah. One day, Sarah vanished. Later, Renee was placed with her biological grandmother.

Several months later, Renee ran into Sarah at the mall. The girls started talking, and Sarah told Renee she was staying at a motel with her new boyfriend, who was "taking really good care of her." Renee and Sarah went to the motel, where they were talking about old times, when Sarah’s boyfriend Michael arrived.

Sarah found herself being dragged by her hair into the bathroom by Michael. He then pulled out a gun and told Renee that if she didn’t do exactly what he said, her friend Sarah would die. Terrified, Renee complied. That evening, Renee was raped, and was later exploited online using the pornographic pictures that were taken of her. Renee was scared that if she ever left, Michael would kill Sarah and it would be her fault.

Profile #2: Shelly

Shelly is twelve years old, and used to live with her mentally ill mother and her drug-addicted uncle in conditions of extreme poverty. Ever since she was seven, Shelly's family members have exchanged her for drugs and money. At age twelve, Shelly finally ran away from home. Soon after arriving on the streets, Shelly met Willie, who offered her a place to stay. With nowhere else to go, Shelly went home with him. After several days, she was pressured for sex. Frightened she'll be kicked out if she says no, Shelly agreed.

Soon after that, Willie tells Shelly if she wants to stay any longer, she'll need to contribute some money. He tells her that not only is she living in his house, she's also eating his food, using up water, talking on his phone and so forth. With no job, and no way to make money at age twelve, Willie suggests that since Shelly is so good at having sex with him, she should start having sex to earn money. Scared and reluctant, Shelly agrees because she doesn't see any other options for herself. To avoid being caught with a very young girl on the streets, Willy pimps Shelly to several men at the house that evening. The men rape Shelly and pay Willie for what he allowed them to do to her.

Shelly doesn't know where she can go if she leaves Willie.

Success Stories

Jacqueline's Story

By the time "Jacqueline," age 13, was rescued, nine different pimps had exploited her in thirteen cities. After being rescued by the Oakland Police Department after a referral from her pediatrician’s office, MISSSEY worked closely with Jacqueline, her family, and local law enforcement agencies. Jacqueline was placed in a treatment facility for emotionally disturbed youth, and recently completed her first full year in the program and is doing terrifically. One of the perpetrators in her case has been arrested and convicted.

Elizabeth's Story

"Elizabeth" was rescued by Oakland Police Department during a special operation on a night when MISSSEY was volunteering with the police. Elizabeth had been missing for four years, since the age of 12. She was addicted to drugs and in bad condition. MISSSEY worked with Elizabeth, law enforcement, and juvenile probation to place her in a residential treatment facility. Elizabeth has remained in treatment undisturbed and has completed 11 months there. She is a beautiful poet.

Testimonials

Hear from girls we've helped out in the past:

"The SPA gives me a place to think and breathe."
–Anonymous CSEC

"Without the program, I would probably be on the run out somewhere getting high and trying to get money."
–Anonymous CSEC

I get encouragement, a safe environment, and a place to learn to be more positive towards myself and others."
–Anonymous CSEC

"What’s worked about the program is being able to talk to other girls who have similar experiences."
–Anonymous CSEC

Overall Successes

We have had many great accomplishments in the past few years. Here are a few of our accomplishments from 2008.

We provided intensive case management and advocacy services to over 100 children through the Sexually Abused and Commercially Exploited Youth Program (SACEY).
We provided drop-in center services to over 100 children through the Safe Place Alternative (SPA).
We took more than 50 children on exposure outings.
We led weekly prevention groups on the issue of the commercial sexual exploitation of children to over 120 children in the Alameda County Juvenile Justice Center.
We conducted prevention workshops to children through Take Wings Foundation and Alameda County Probation Department's Family Preservation Unit.
We held over two dozen training workshops on the issue of the commercial sexual exploitation of children to Alameda County juvenile justice attorneys and judges, nurses from Oakland Unified School District, medical professionals at Children's Hospital, new child welfare workers through Alameda County Children and Family Services, English and Spanish speakers of Oakland at the Neighborhood Crime Prevention Council Summit, the Alameda County Domestic Violence Collaborative, and many more.