the issue
The problem of child sex trafficking and sexual abuse is vast. It’s not isolated to developing countries. It’s happening here. And now. Abusers are co-opting new and emerging technology to hurt children. Understanding how is key to stopping the abuse.
child sex trafficking is a cycle of abuse.
the most vulnerable
The commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC) is another term for what we often call child sex trafficking. While anyone can be a victim, we know that kids who are homeless or runaways, LGBTQ, African American or Latino, and youth interacting with the child welfare system are more vulnerable to this type of exploitation.
the role of technology.
The internet has made it easier for children to be bought and sold online — using some of the same technology and websites that people use to sell their bike, find a roommate or look for a local garage sale. We cannot arrest our way out of this problem. Law enforcement simply doesn’t have enough resources to navigate the massive online commercial sex market to find children and identify their traffickers. Technology can be a tool to address this aspect of the crime.
the justice system
Buyers drive the market that makes child sexual exploitation lucrative for controllers and traffickers. Few buyers face serious consequences. Instead, children are being charged with prostitution, but there is no such thing as a child prostitute. Children cannot consent to sex. They are victims, not criminals. When trafficking victims are arrested, their criminal record prevents them from accessing critical resources like housing or jobs. This prevents them from creating the stability they need to avoid further exploitation. New York was the first state to pass a law allowing trafficking survivors to clear their record for prostitution offenses, and Florida later passed a law allowing survivors to expunge their record for any offense committed during their trafficking situation. According to Sharedhope International's 2023 report, 21 states still do not have Safe Harbor laws.
beyond abuse.
The vulnerabilities that lead to abuse continue even after a victim has been identified and removed from their trafficker. If they were homeless before, they are homeless again. Creating a safe space for survivors to recover and heal is critical to preventing re-victimization. The hope is that we can create programs and opportunities that not only combat the trauma of trafficking abuse, but also address the underlying vulnerabilities that, if unchecked, will continue to destabilize the survivor’s life.
survivor support
Support for survivors is offered minimally on a national level. Local organizations drive support for survivors in communities across the United States, but they are often underfunded and understaffed. There just aren’t enough beds. Child survivors require mental and physical health support as part of their recovery process.
While we’re proud of the results of our tools to identify more victims faster, we know that the issue doesn’t end there. Survivors need a wide array of services for a sustainable recovery – from basic needs to health care to job training. Unfortunately, current resources are not sufficient for the population affected.
Investing in resources for survivors
The recovery process is another part of the cycle in which community involvement matters. Organizations are working to provide survivors with much needed resources to aid in recovery and to reduce vulnerabilities that could lead to re-victimization. Increased funding for service providers and training for social service agencies, especially those led and informed by survivors, are needed to prevent a child from experiencing continued abuse. Check out a few organizations doing great work.
