Transaction Search Form: please type in any of the fields below.
Date: April 29, 2024 Mon
Time: 9:16 pm
Time: 9:16 pm
Results for child prostitution
168 results foundAuthor: Williams, Linda M. Title: Pathways into and out of commercial sexual victimization of children: Understanding and responding to sexually exploited teens Summary: For the past two years the University of Massachusetts Lowell and Fair Fund, Inc., along with partners in Boston, MA and Washington, D.C., USA, have been conducting an in-depth, field-based study of Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC) taking a life course perspective in examining the lives of female and male victims with a focus on prostituted teens. The Pathways Project examines pathways into and out of commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC) via prostitution and to provide useful information to practice and policy communities. The goal of the research was to understand the victims' perspectives; to identify the factors (individual, family, peer, school, and community contexts) associated with the commencement of CSEC; to identify factors that surround its maintenance and escalation; and to identify factors that impede or empower exiting from or overcoming exploitative situations. Our research included primarily qualitative methods with a focus on integrating researchers and grassroots organizers into the design, data collection, data analysis and dissemination. In the Boston metropolitan area and in Washington, DC, we interviewed 61 adolescents (aged 14-19) who experienced sexual violence via teen prostitution or who were runaways at risk for such commercial sexual exploitation. Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC) is a crime that has only recently received significant attention in the United States and around the globe. While the U.S. Department of Justice estimates that the number of children (those under the age of 18) currently involved in prostitution, child pornography, and trafficking may be anywhere between 100,000 and three million (Friedman, 2005) we find that knowledge of CSEC and our public response to the problem is still evolving. Federal legislation (Trafficking Victims Protection Act - TVPA 2000 and revised in 2008), funding and task force activity continues to bring the domestic sex trafficking of children into focus in the U.S. This includes attention to traffickers who coerce children and youth to enter the commercial sex "industry" through the use of a variety of recruitment and control mechanisms and who engage the children in exploitation in strip clubs, street-based prostitution, escort services, and brothels. There is evidence from the field that domestic sex traffickers target vulnerable youth, such as runaway and homeless youth, and it is often reported that the average age of entry into prostitution in the U.S. is as a 12- to 13-year-old victim of commercial sexual exploitation. A variety of state laws address these crimes under statutes that often are located in several different sections of the criminal code or in statutes directed at juveniles or families. Statutes may criminalize the behavior of those who procure children for sex acts (commonly referred to as "pimps"), those "customers" who engage in or solicit sex acts with a minor (some of these individuals are referred to as "johns"), those who are involved in the production or the possession of pornography with a minor, and those who benefit from such commerce. But state laws also focus on the behavior of the children and their families and may lead to juveniles being prosecuted for prostitution related offenses, adjudication as delinquent or a determination that they are a person/ child in need of supervision. Details: Lowell, MA: University of Massachusetts Lowell, 2009. 73p. Source: Accessed April 25, 2018 at: https://traffickingresourcecenter.org/sites/default/files/Williams%20Pathways%20Final%20Report%202006-MU-FX-0060%2010-31-09L.pdf Year: 2009 Country: United States URL: https://traffickingresourcecenter.org/sites/default/files/Williams%20Pathways%20Final%20Report%202006-MU-FX-0060%2010-31-09L.pdf Shelf Number: 117143 Keywords: Child PornographyChild ProstitutionChild Sexual ExploitationChild TraffickingSex OffensesVictimization |
Author: ECPAT International Guatemala Title: Sexual Commercial Exploitation of Girls, Boys and Adolescents in Guatemala Summary: This report presents a profile of how the issue of illegal trafficking in persons is a growing problem in Guatemala. Details: Guatemala City, Guatemala: ECPAT International Guatemala, International Organization for Migration, & Casa Alianza, 2002. 48p. Source: Working Notebooks on Migration, No. 8 Year: 2002 Country: Guatemala URL: Shelf Number: 117868 Keywords: Child ProstitutionSexual Exploitation |
Author: Danaj, Sonila Title: Situational Analysis Report on Child Trafficking in Albania Summary: This report is an assessment of the current child trafficking situation in Albania and the level of progress that has been made by those engaged in fighting this practice. The findings are based on the review of available publications, as well as in-depth interviews with all the parties involved, i.e. state agencies, the international community and non-governmental organizations, all of which are involved in the process of fighting child trafficking and the protection of child victims of trafficking. Details: Tirana, Albania: Albanian Inter-NGO Coalition Together Against Child Trafficking, 2008. 78p. Source: Year: 2008 Country: Albania URL: Shelf Number: 111765 Keywords: Child AbuseChild ProstitutionChild Protection (Albania)Human Trafficking (Albania) |
Author: Child Wise Australia Title: Travelling Child-Sex Offenders in South East Asia: A Regional Review - 2007/2008 Summary: This report represents the third edition of a compendium of information relating to sexual exploitation of children in tourism destinations throughout South East Asia. Details: South Melbourne: Child Wise, 2009. 39p. Source: Year: 2009 Country: Asia URL: Shelf Number: 118307 Keywords: Child ProstitutionSex TourismSexual Exploitation (Children) |
Author: Martyn, Elizabeth Title: Youth for Sale: ECAT Australia's National Inquiry into the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children and Young People in Australia Summary: This research was conducted in order to gain insight into the nature and extent of young peoples' involvement in commercial sexual activity within Australia. Data collected for the report was aimed at determining if commercial sexual exploitation was increasing or decreasing, and to provide an understanding of the forces and circumstances which predispose young people to engage in prostitution. Details: South Melbourne: ECPAT Australia, 1998. 81p. Source: Year: 1998 Country: Australia URL: Shelf Number: 118308 Keywords: Child ProstitutionProstitutesProstitution (Australia)Sexual Exploitation (Children) |
Author: Kaye, Mike Title: Contemporary Forms of Slavery in Argentina Summary: This report provides information and anlaysis in relation to slavery practices in Argentina, with a particular focus on trafficking of people for both labor and sexual exploitaton and commercial sexual exploitation of children. Details: London: Anti-Slavery International, 2006. 17p. Source: Year: 2006 Country: Argentina URL: Shelf Number: 118400 Keywords: Child LaborChild ProstitutionChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual ExploitationHuman Trafficking (Argentina) |
Author: Kaye, Mike Title: Contemporary Forms of Slavery in Paraguay Summary: This report gives an overview and analysis of different slavery practices in Paraguay, including forced labor of indigenous people, trafficking in people, the commercial sexual exploitation of children, child domestic work and child soldiers. Details: London: Anti-Slavery International, 2006. 25p. Source: Year: 2006 Country: Paraguay URL: Shelf Number: 118401 Keywords: Child ProstitutionChild Sexual Exploitation (Paraguay)Forced LaborHuman TraffickingSex Trafficking |
Author: United Nations Children's Fund. Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean Title: Prevention of Commercial sexual Exploitation of Children and Adolescents: Contributing to a Sustainable Tourism in Central America Summary: This report contains a collection of interventions, discussions and results of the meeting "Prevention of Cmmercial Sexual Exploitation of Children and Adolescents: Contributing to a Sustainable Tourism in Central America" held on October 28-29, 2004 in San Salvador, El Salvador. The objectives of the meeting were to share knowledge, experiences and successful models in the prevention of commercial sexual exploitation of children and adolescents in the context of travel and tourism in Central America, Mexico and the Dominican Republic, as well as to promote the adhesion on the part of the travel and tourism industry to the Code of Conduct for the protection of children and adolescents against commercial sexual exploitation. Details: Panama: Child Protection Section, UNICEF Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean, 2005. 79p. Source: Internet Resource Year: 2005 Country: Central America URL: Shelf Number: 118721 Keywords: Child ProstitutionChild Sexual ExploitationSex Tourism |
Author: Jacomy, Severine Title: Risks and Realities of Child Trafficking and Exploitation in Central Asia Summary: This study explores three hypotheses regarding the issue of child trafficking in the Central Asia area: 1) More child trafficking occurs in Central Asia than is currently acknowledged; 2) Child trafficking is closely linked to other societal issues; and 3) Current systems fail to adequately prevent and respond to child trafficking. Details: Geneva: UNICEF Regional Office for CEE/CIS, 2009. 97p. Source: Internet Resource Year: 2009 Country: Asia URL: Shelf Number: 118669 Keywords: Child PornographyChild ProstitutionChild Sex Trafficking (Asia)Child TraffickingHuman Trafficking |
Author: Renault, Raphael Title: Survey on Street-Based Child Sexual Exploitation in Cambodia: Overview of 7 Provinces Summary: Child sexual exploitation has been increasing in Cambodia since the 1990's, with sexual predators coming from abroad as short-term tourists or as long-term residents. Usually, travelling sex offenders visiting Cambodia operate in two different ways, either by visiting brothels or by preying on children in the streets, the markets, the beaches or other public areas. On-going observations in Phnom Penh led to the conclusion that pedophile-related behaviors were changing in the capital. It was suspected that travelling sex offenders were moving into more remote areas as a result of the strengthening of law enforcement activities with respect to child abuse in Phnom Penh. The objectives of this study are: 1) To provide an overview of street-based child sexual exploitation perpetrated outside phnom Penh; 2) To gain an understanding of the underlying factors that make street-based child sexual exploitation possible in countryside Cambodia; and 3) To obtain information on the profile of victims and sex-offenders. Details: Phnom Penh, Cambodia: Action pour les Enfants, 2006. 43p. Source: Internet Resource Year: 2006 Country: Cambodia URL: Shelf Number: 118727 Keywords: (Cambodia)Child ProstitutionChild Sexual AbusePedophilesSex OffendersSex Tourism (Cambodia) |
Author: Carchedi, R. Title: Trafficking of Nigerian Girls in Italy: The Data, The Stories, The Social Services Summary: This publication examines the services and social protection interventions in favor of minor Nigerian girls who are victims of trafficking in Italy. The study highlights the particular aspects of trafficking from Nigeria, especially those related to minors, while examining the specific needs and characteristics of these services through a qualitative research approach. Using official data from the Department for Equal Opportunities on victims of trafficking for sexual exploitation, this study also provides an estimate of the phenomenon on the Nigerian target population. Details: Rome: UNICRI, 2010. 109p. Source: Internet Resource Year: 2010 Country: Italy URL: Shelf Number: 118696 Keywords: Child ProstitutionChild Sexual ExploitationChild TraffickingHuman Trafficking |
Author: ECPAT International Title: Confronting the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children in Africa Summary: The reports presented in this Journal examine the achievements made in recent years in the fight against sexual violence and exploitation of children in Africa. Details: Bangkok: ECPAT International, 2007. 53p. Source: Internet Resource Year: 2007 Country: Africa URL: Shelf Number: 119222 Keywords: Child ProstitutionChild Sexual ExploitationSex TourismSexual Violence |
Author: Berardi, Giorgio Title: The Use of Information and Communication Technologies in Connection with Cases of Child-Sex Tourism in East and Southeast Asia Summary: This report presents a review of the literature on the current state of known interactions between Internet communication technology and child-sex tourism. It includes: 1) an analysis of the nature, extent and trends in the use of information technology for faciliting sexual exploitation of children, especially in East and Southeast Asia; and 2) an analysis of targeted recommendations for action by key actors to prevent and protect children from being sexually exploitation through tourism. Details: Bangkok: ECPAT International, 2010. 68p. Source: Internet Resource Year: 2010 Country: Asia URL: Shelf Number: 119223 Keywords: Child ProstitutionChild Sex TourismInternet SafetySex TourismSexual Exploitation |
Author: ECPAT International Title: Upholding the Right of Children to Live Free from Commercial Sexual Exploitation: Interventions and Recommendations Summary: The commercial sexual exploitation of children is a transnational issue that affects children across Asia and one that needs to be addressed in the regional and international context. A key requirement is well-coordinated, consistent and strong laws, within countries and across jurisdictions. Children are trafficked across borders and coerced into prostitution; child sex tourists travel to different locations to exploit children; and rapid growth in Internet use and other information and communication technologies allows child pornography to be distributed across borders. Many countries have inadequate legislation to address the problem. This report looks at the legal environment in the Asia Region and outlines the steps a country can take to fulfill its obligations towards children. Details: Bangkok: ECPAT International, 2007. 61p. Source: Internet Resource Year: 2007 Country: Asia URL: Shelf Number: 119250 Keywords: Child PornographyChild ProstitutionChild Sex TourismChild TraffickingChildren, Crimes AgainstHuman TraffickingSex Trafficking |
Author: Smith, Linda A. Title: The National Report on Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking: America's Prostituted Children Summary: The National Report is the culmination of ten field assessments conducted in targeted locations in the United States, providing a comprehensive understanding of child sex trafficking across America. The report reveals the reality that American children are being recruited from our neighborhoods and sold on our streets. The report found misidentification of victims to be the primary barrier to properly addressing America's trafficked children. Consequently, this misidentification often leads to the criminalization of victims, barring them from receiving proper treatment and care. In fact, in nearly every location American child victims of sex trafficking are being arrested for the crime committed against them while their abusers walk free. In addition, the study found a severe lack of appropriate protective and therapeutic shelters. Finally, the National Report emphasizes that although buyers are critical in addressing the issue of child sex trafficking, buyers most often escape criminalization. Details: Vancouver, WA: Shared Hope International, 2009. 75p. Source: Internet Resource Year: 2009 Country: United States URL: Shelf Number: 117036 Keywords: Child ProstitutionChild Sex TraffickingChild Sexual ExploitationHuman Trafficking |
Author: Rusu, Viorelia Title: Overview of the Child Trafficking Phenomenon in the Republic of Moldova Summary: The present study represents an attempt to present qualitative, as well as some quantitative characteristics of the child trafficking phenomenon in the Republic of Moldova. The study report includes information about the average portrait of a victim of child trafficking, factors that increase child vulnerability to involvement into child trafficking situations, main characteristic features or elements of a child trafficking crime identified — peculiarities of recruitment, transportation, forms of exploitation and criminal methods of influence/control used against children. In the study report, existing models of child trafficking are presented both at the transnational level where children-citizens of the Republic of Moldova. become subjects of exploitation in other countries, and child trafficking inside of the country. Besides, the report reflects some new trends in the evolution of the child trafficking phenomenon, and gives an analysis of its relation to the phenomenon of child sex-tourism that emerged recently in Moldova. Details: Chisinau, Moldova: International Center for Women Rights Protection and Promotion "La Strada", 2010. 71p. Source: Internet Resource Year: 2010 Country: Moldova URL: Shelf Number: 119424 Keywords: Child ExploitationChild ProstitutionChild TraffickingHuman TraffickingSex TourismSexual Exploitation |
Author: Adams, William Title: Effects of Federal Legislation on the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children Summary: Each year, as many as 300,000 children become victims of commercial sexual exploitation in the United States. Such victimization can have devastating effects on a child's physical and mental health and well-being. In an effort to stop the commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC), Congress enacted the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Prevention Act (TVPA) in 2000. As the seminal legislation in America's efforts to end CSEC, the Act criminalizes human trafficking on a federal level. This bulletin describes the results of a study funded by OJJDP to examine TVPA's impact on the prosecution of CSEC cases. The authors draw on CSEC cases processed in federal courts between 1998 and 2005 to examine how current laws addressing CSEC are enforced, indicate key features of successful CSEC prosecutions, and describe how legislation has affected sentences imposed on CSEC perpetrators, as well as legislation's effects on the provision of services to victims. Details: Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, 2010. 11p. Source: Internet Resource; Juvenile Justice Bulletin, July 2010 Year: 2010 Country: United States URL: Shelf Number: 119477 Keywords: Child ProstitutionChild Sex TraffickingChild Sexual AbuseChildren, Crimes AgainstSexual Exploitation |
Author: Clutton, Sam Title: Child Sexual Exploitation in Wales: 3 Years On Summary: "This policy and practice briefing provides an overview of progress in identifying and responding to the risk of, and abuse through, child sexual exploitation since the publication of the first research on this issue in the Welsh context in 2005. Drawing on research undertaken across three local authorities, this briefing provides new evidence on the prevalence and nature of child sexual exploitation in Wales. The briefing seeks to highlight key vulnerabilities and risks and to set out evidence on best practice in safeguarding – including an introduction to new policy and procedures." Details: Cardiff, Wales: Barnardo's Cymru, 2009. 9p. Source: Internet Resource; Policy and Practice Briefing, No. 3; Accessed August 8, 2010 at http://www.barnardos.org.uk/child_sexual_exploitation_in_wales-3_years_on.__no_3_policy_and_practice_briefing.pdf?debugtime=full%20time Year: 2009 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.barnardos.org.uk/child_sexual_exploitation_in_wales-3_years_on.__no_3_policy_and_practice_briefing.pdf?debugtime=full%20time Shelf Number: 115528 Keywords: Child AbuseChild ProstitutionChild Sexual Exploitation (Wales) |
Author: United Nations Children's Fund, Innocenti Research Centre Title: South Asia in Action: Preventing and Responding to Child Trafficking: Analysis of Anti-Trafficking Initiatives in the Region Summary: This report presents an analysis of anti-trafficking initiatives related to children in the South Asian countries of Afghanistan, Bangaladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. South Asian children continue to be trafficked for multiple forms of sexual exploitation – including prostitution, sex tourism, child pornography, paedophilia - and labour exploitation in agriculture, factories, domestic servitude and begging, forced marriage, adoption, military recruitment and debt release. The report includes several examples of laws and policies that could be enacted to prevent children from being trafficked and to protect children once they have been trafficked. Details: Florence, Italy: UNICEF Innocenti Research Centre, 2009. 70p. Source: Internet Resource; Accessed August 8, 2010 at http://www.unicef-irc.org/publications/pdf/ii_ct_southasia_analysis.pdf Year: 2009 Country: Asia URL: http://www.unicef-irc.org/publications/pdf/ii_ct_southasia_analysis.pdf Shelf Number: 117638 Keywords: Child LaborChild PornographyChild ProstitutionChild TraffickingForced MarriageHuman TraffickingSex Tourism |
Author: U.S. Department of Justice Title: The National Strategy for Child Prevention and Interdiction: A Report to Congress Summary: "The sexual abuse and exploitation of children rob the victims of their childhood, irrevocably interfering with their emotional and psychological development. Ensuring that all children come of age without being disturbed by sexual trauma or exploitation is more than a criminal justice issue, it is a societal issue. Despite efforts to date, the threat of child sexual exploitation remains very real, whether it takes place in the home, on the street, over the Internet, or in a foreign land. Because the sexual abuse and exploitation of children strikes at the very foundation of our society, it will take our entire society to combat this affront to the public welfare. Therefore, this National Strategy lays out a comprehensive response to protect the right of children to be free from sexual abuse and to protect society from the cost imposed by this crime. In the broadest terms, the goal of this National Strategy is to prevent child sexual exploitation from occurring in the first place, in order to protect every child’s opportunity and right to have a childhood that is free from sexual abuse, trauma, and exploitation so that they can become the adults they were meant to be. This Strategy will accomplish that goal by efficiently leveraging assets across the federal government in a coordinated manner. All entities with a stake in the fight against child exploitation—from federal agencies and investigators and prosecutors, to social service providers, educators, medical professionals, academics, non-governmental organizations, and members of industry, as well as parents, caregivers, and the threatened children themselves—are called upon to do their part to prevent these crimes, care for the victims, and rehabilitate the offenders." Details: Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice, 2010. 280p. Source: Internet Resource; Accessed August 10, 2010 at http://www.projectsafechildhood.gov/docs/natstrategyreport.pdf Year: 2010 Country: United States URL: http://www.projectsafechildhood.gov/docs/natstrategyreport.pdf Shelf Number: 119589 Keywords: Child PornographyChild ProstitutionChild ProtectionChild Sex TourismChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual ExploitationComputer CrimesInternet CrimesInternet Safety |
Author: ECPAT International Title: Creating a United Front Against the Sexual Exploitation of Children in Travel and Tourism Summary: "While much progress has been made in combating the sexual exploitation of children in travel and tourism (also known as child-sex tourism or CST) and other forms of sexual exploitation of children, there is a need to identify and develop measures to address new trends and further improve concerted, multi-stakeholder action to effectively combat this exploitation. It must also be noted that while CST involves child prostitution, it is not limited to it. Technological progress and the rapid spread of digital cameras and camcorders now often make the production of child pornography (or child abuse imagery) an ancillary activity of the former. Trafficking in children for sexual exploitation, in turn, is known to play a significant role in the supply of victims to a market demand that has not shown any sign of abatement over the past few years. The reports in this journal look at general trends in the development of child-sex tourism and identify the gaps in child protection against commercial sexual exploitation. They discuss key initiatives to address the issues and recommend specific actions by governments that are urgently needed to tackle the problem. Details: Bangkok, Thailand: ECPAT Interntaional, 2009. 66p. Source: Internet Resource; Accessed August 13, 2010 at http://www.ecpat.net/EI/Publications/Journals/ECPATJournalJune2009.pdf Year: 2009 Country: International URL: http://www.ecpat.net/EI/Publications/Journals/ECPATJournalJune2009.pdf Shelf Number: 119592 Keywords: Child ProstitutionChild Sex TourismChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual Exploitation |
Author: ECPAT International Title: Guide for National Planning: To Prevent, Stop and Redress Violations of Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children Summary: Commercial sexual exploitation of children – often referred to as CSEC – is prevalent throughout the world. It consists of criminal practices that demean and threaten the physical and psychological integrity of children. Commercial sexual exploitation of children is manifested primarily through child prostitution and child sex tourism, child pornography, and the trafficking of children for sexual purposes, as well as through such channels as child marriage, domestic servitude and bonded labour. With the increasing ease of travel, new information technologies and rising migration and displacement, a concerted global effort is necessary to ensure that all children are protected, regardless of their geographic or economic circumstance. Where they are comprehensive, National Plans of Action remain the best instrument to be used against Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children. They provide a national vision for combating CSEC issues and ensure that the care and protection of children remains a national priority over a lasting period of time, constantly reviewed and improved through adequate monitoring and supported with appropriate resources. A National Plan enables civil society to identify what should be done, what is being done and what can be done for children; it challenges governments to tangibly live up to the international commitments they have made to protect the rights of children everywhere. This Methodological Guide is designed to work as a tool for countries that intend to develop National Plans of Action against Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children. Specifically this guide provides: Information on setting up the stage to prepare for the drafting of an effective NPA through detailed background research and specific data collection; Description of the key partners to be involved in the National Plan of Action development to ensure its effective implementation; A methodology for the formulation of a National Plan of Action to combat the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children; Practical recommendations based on the experiences of countries that have developed National Plans of Action; and Examples of strategic national frameworks for eradicating the sexual exploitation of children around the world. Details: Bangkok, Thailand: ECPAT International, 2009. 73p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 1, 2010 at: http://www.ecpat.net/EI/Publications/Global_Action/NPA_GUIDE_Layout.pdf Year: 2009 Country: International URL: http://www.ecpat.net/EI/Publications/Global_Action/NPA_GUIDE_Layout.pdf Shelf Number: 119720 Keywords: Child LaborChild PornographyChild ProstitutionChild Sex TourismChild Trafficking |
Author: Allais, Carol Title: Tsireledzani: Understanding the Dimensions of Human Trafficking in Southern Africa Summary: This report provides the first comprehensive assessment of human trafficking in South Africa. This research study was conducted by the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) on behalf of the ‘Programme of Assistance to the South African Government to Prevent, React to Human Trafficking and Provide Support to Victims of Crime’. The programme of assistance forms part of South Africa’s National Strategy to Combat Human Trafficking through prevention, response and support for victims, known as TSIRELEDZANI. The programme of assistance is being implemented by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and is co-funded by the South African Government and the European Union (EU). The overall objective of South Africa’s National Strategy on Human Trafficking is to ensure full compliance with the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children (hereafter, ‘Palermo Protocol’), which supplements the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organised Crime. Compliance includes developing comprehensive legislation underpinned by a victim-centred empowerment approach, taking full account of the Victim’s Charter1 as well as relevant South African legislation. The specific purposes of the Tsireledzani Programme are to: (a) contribute to compliance with the Palermo Protocol requirements, (b) increase capacity to deal with trafficking, and (c) enhance inter-sectoral coordination and cooperation. Tsireledzani is being implemented by the Sexual Offences and Community Affairs (SOCA) Unit of the NPA over a three-year period (2008-2010). The present study addresses Result 1 of the programme of assistance to the South African government: DEEPENED KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF TRAFFICKING, and presents findings on human trafficking in South Africa obtained from research undertaken from December 2008 to March 2010. The objectives of the study were to: 1. Identify trafficking trends in order to develop appropriate responses; 2. Identify national legislative measures, policy frameworks and women’s and children’s rights instruments; 3. Analyse counter-trafficking responses regarding human trafficking in the SADC region and other countries with comparative features; 4. Identify the profile of the victims and characteristics and motives of the agents in human trafficking; 5. Identify the purposes for human trafficking and the key driving factors; 6. Identify socio-economic aspects of the demand and cultural values and practices influencing human trafficking; 7. Identify the interrelation between human trafficking and migration relation issues in the context of globalization; 8. Identify the linkage between organised crime networks and corruption, and human trafficking; 9. Identify indicators for a national Trafficking Information Management System ; 10. Make recommendations on the outcome of the above results. Details: Pretoria: National Prosecuting Authority of South Africa, 2010. 206p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 8, 2010 at: http://www.hsrc.ac.za/Document-3562.phtml Year: 2010 Country: South Africa URL: http://www.hsrc.ac.za/Document-3562.phtml Shelf Number: 119766 Keywords: Child ProstitutionCorruptionForced LaborHuman TraffickingIllegal TradeOrganized CrimeWildlife ConservationWildlife Crime (Asia-Pacific)Wildlife Smuggling |
Author: Joseph, Victor Title: Stolen Lives: Dignity, Forgiveness, Hope, and Future-Mindedness for Victims of Sex Trafficking in India Summary: Trafficking is a particularly pernicious and vicious assault on individual dignity. How do the victims deal with the shame of what has happened to them? How do they forgive, if it is even deemed possible to forgive, those who have trampled on their dignity, and how is it possible for the victims to forgive themselves? How do the victims recover or establish a sense of control of their own lives and destinies? How do they regain hope and belief in the future? What if they had almost no sense of control in the first place? The focus of this study is on seeking to provide the beginnings of some answers to those all important questions. The report focuses on trafficked victims between the ages of 14 and 22 who were sold into brothels in India. Details: West Conshohocken, PA: John Templeton Foundation, 2010. 80p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 10, 2010 at: http://www.templeton.org/sites/default/files/TraffickingReport_Final.pdf Year: 2010 Country: India URL: http://www.templeton.org/sites/default/files/TraffickingReport_Final.pdf Shelf Number: 119776 Keywords: Child ProstitutionHuman TraffickingProstitutionSexual Exploitation |
Author: Raphael, Jody Title: From Victims to Victimizers: Interviews with 25 Ex-Pimps in Chicago Summary: A new study of ex-pimps and madams in the Chicago area shows that most of them were victims of prostitution prior to becoming pimps and had family members involved in the illegal sex trade. Of the 25 pimps and madams interviewed, 68 percent had themselves been prostituted prior to pimping. Their average age of entry into prostitution was 15, and 60 percent had family members who were involved in prostitution. Details: Chicago: De Paul College of Law, Schiller DuCanto & Fleck Family Law Center, 2010. 9p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 13, 2010 at: http://newsroom.depaul.edu/PDF/FAMILY_LAW_CENTER_REPORT-final.pdf Year: 2010 Country: United States URL: http://newsroom.depaul.edu/PDF/FAMILY_LAW_CENTER_REPORT-final.pdf Shelf Number: 119952 Keywords: Child ProstitutionChild Sexual AbuseProstitution |
Author: ECPAT International: Constant, Sedrine Title: Monitoring State Progress to Protect Children & Young People from Trafficking for Sexual Purposes. A Call for Accelerated Action from States: It's In Your Hands! Summary: Despite the acknowledged obligation to afford special protection and care to children, which is set out in various international instruments, most countries largely fail to uphold children’s rights in a comprehensive way. Gaps in the framework required for the full protection of a child opens opportunities for exploiters to abuse children and allows the trafficking of children and young people to be perpetuated so that it now accounts as one of the three top most lucrative criminal activities. Ensuring a meticulous and regular monitoring of the measures implemented to protect children and their effectiveness is therefore essential to identifying challenges and priorities and adequately informing policies and programming. Monitoring the implementation of states’ actions to fulfil their commitments on child rights and in particular the right of the child to be protected from sexual exploitation, including trafficking, is the main mandate of ECPAT International. Based on its experiences and the work of its global network, ECPAT International has undertaken to examine progress accomplished by 41 states to secure a safer world for children in line with specific goals and indicators derived from previously agreed international commitments, and in particular the 2008 Rio de Janeiro Declaration and Call for Action to Prevent and Stop Sexual Exploitation of Children4 (a recent outcome of the deliberations of over 3,500 participants at the World Congress III against Sexual Exploitation of Children and Adolescents). To increase the accountability on commitments made to children, this monitoring initiative is a specific activity contributing to raising global awareness and advocacy through the three-year ‘Stop Sex Trafficking of Children and Young People’ campaign conducted in partnership between ECPAT International and The Body Shop. It aims at scrutinising states’ progress to turn binding and moral agreements into concrete positive outcomes for children around the world through specific and measurable actions contributing to the enhancement of global child protection from sex trafficking. Through the campaign, civil society initiatives will simultaneously be stepped up through the work of ECPAT groups and others at the national level and the public, to support governments in fulfilling their responsibilities. Details: Bangkok, Thailand: ECPAT International; Littlehampton, UK: The Body Shop INternational PLC, 2010. 47p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 14, 2010 at: http://www.thebodyshop.com/_en/_ww/services/pdfs/Values/Global_Monitoring_ProgressCards.pdf Year: 2010 Country: International URL: http://www.thebodyshop.com/_en/_ww/services/pdfs/Values/Global_Monitoring_ProgressCards.pdf Shelf Number: 119954 Keywords: Child ProstitutionChild Sexual ExploitationChild TraffickingHuman Trafficking |
Author: Namibia. Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare and the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry Title: A Baseline Assessment of Human Trafficking in Namibia: A Nationally Representative Qualitative Assessment Summary: Trafficking in Persons is a significant human rights and development issue worldwide that affects men, women and children, and Namibia is no exception. To this effect, Namibia ratified the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and the additional Protocol to Prevent Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Humans especially women and children in 2003. The Prevention of Organized Crime (POCA) Act no.29 of 2004 which criminalizes Trafficking in Persons was enacted. Further, in the US Department of State 2008 Trafficking of Persons (TIP) Report, Namibia was designated a “Special Case.” A Special Case designation denotes that there is simply not enough reliable information on the country’s trafficking circumstances, but the existence of a significant human trafficking problem is suspected, though the scope and magnitude remains unsubstantiated by sufficient reliable reporting. Specifically, the TIP report states: Limited reporting suggests that Namibia may be a source and destination country for trafficked children; however, the magnitude of this problem is unknown. It is suspected that the largest percentages of trafficking victims are children engaged in prostitution. There is evidence that a small number of Namibian children are trafficked within the country for domestic servitude, as well as forced agricultural labor, cattle herding, and possibly vending. There have been a few reported cases of Zambian and Angolan children trafficked to Namibia for domestic servitude, agricultural labor, and livestock herding. To improve the effectiveness of its fight against human trafficking, the Government of Namibia should consider two initial steps: develop a baseline understanding of the problem, which could include reviewing existing reports and engaging stakeholders; and designate a focal point within the government to coordinate dialogue and action by relevant government entities. As further information is developed, public awareness raising and training of relevant law enforcement and social services officials could facilitate the identification and assistance of victims, and help determine the extent of the problem. In response to the lack of knowledge about the scope and magnitude of trafficking in Namibia, an assessment of Trafficking in Persons in Namibia was initiated by the Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare (MGECW) in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry (MAWF) with the support of USAID/ Namibia. The team of experts comprising of one international expert, one regional expert and two Namibian experts was assembled to conduct this assessment. The team was assisted in the field by two members of the MGECW and one from MAWF. The purpose of this assessment was to (a) collect available information on the scope of trafficking in persons in targeted areas of Namibia, (b) review counter- trafficking initiatives by government and civil society and, (c) outline gaps and make recommendations concerning future programming and research needs. Prior to undertaking stakeholder and key informant interviews, the team conducted a literature review of pertinent materials on trafficking in persons in Namibia and the region, which it supplemented throughout the course of its field work. The interviews took place between April 8 and 28, 2009. The interviews covered four basic areas: (1) general knowledge of the respondent about human trafficking; (2) prevention initiatives; (3) prosecution, policing and the legal framework; and, (4) protection and victim assistance. Details: Windhoek, Namibia: Ministry of General Equality and Child Welfare, 2009. 102p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 4, 2010 at: http://www.usaid.gov/our_work/cross-cutting_programs/wid/pubs/Final_Human_Trafficking_Report_Namibia_100216.pdf Year: 2009 Country: Namibia URL: http://www.usaid.gov/our_work/cross-cutting_programs/wid/pubs/Final_Human_Trafficking_Report_Namibia_100216.pdf Shelf Number: 120188 Keywords: Child ProstitutionChild Trafficking (Namibia)Forced LaborHuman RightsHuman Trafficking |
Author: Cavener, John Title: Sexual Exploitation: 'Internal Trafficking' of Chidlren and Young People at Risk in the North East and Cumbria Summary: This report explores the internal trafficking of children and young people for the purpose of sexual exploitation across the North East and Cumbria. The project was funded by the Northern Rock Foundation, and took place across a 16-month period beginning in August 2008. The main aims and objectives of this project were to highlight: · What factors make children and young people vulnerable to sexual exploitation within the region; · What factors facilitate the internal trafficking of children and young people at risk of sexual exploitation within the region; · What range of sexually exploitative activities children and young people within the region are engaged in; and · What levels of professional awareness, range of interventions, gaps in provision and models of practice exist among agencies engaging children and young people at risk. Details: Newcastle upon Tyne, UK: Northern Rock Foundation, 2010. 68p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed December 2, 2010 at: http://www.nr-foundation.org.uk/downloads/Sexual%20Exploitation%20-%20Internal%20Trafficking.pdf Year: 2010 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.nr-foundation.org.uk/downloads/Sexual%20Exploitation%20-%20Internal%20Trafficking.pdf Shelf Number: 120349 Keywords: Child ProstitutionChild Trafficking (U.K.)Human TraffickingSexual Exploitation |
Author: Frederick, J. Title: Trafficking and Exploitation in the Entertainment and Sex Industries in Nepal: A Handbook for Decision-Makers Summary: This report calls for immediate action to end commercial sexual exploitation and abuse of children under the guise of ‘entertainment’ in Nepal. The handbook also highlights how internal trafficking within Nepal is as problematic as trafficking of women and children to India. Details: Kathmandu, Nepal: Terre des hommes Foundation, 2010. 131p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed December 14, 2010 at: http://www.childtrafficking.com/Docs/handbook.pdf Year: 2010 Country: Nepal URL: http://www.childtrafficking.com/Docs/handbook.pdf Shelf Number: 120500 Keywords: Child ProstitutionChild TraffickingHuman Trafficking (Nepal)ProstitutionSexual Exploitation |
Author: Frederick, John Title: Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Boys in South Asia: A Review of Research Findings, Legislation, Policy and Programme Responses Summary: This paper provides an overview of research findings, legislation, policy and programme responses to prevent and respond to the sexual abuse and exploitation of boys in South Asia. The background to the paper is based on the findings from previously conducted UNICEF IRC research on child trafficking in the region, in which it was indicated that boys enjoy less legal protection than girls from sexual abuse and exploitation and less access to service for victims. While it is seen that the majority of legislation and policies that address ‘children’ adequately address ‘boys’, this paper notes areas in which the rights and needs of boys require greater focus. Among the concerns is the absence of legal commentary on legislation regarding boys’ issues and an absence of advocacy efforts to take action and amend laws to provide equal protection to boys. In some cases legislation covers only girls and women. And, although research shows that boys face nearly the same degree of sexual abuse and exploitation as girls, programming throughout the region is overwhelmingly directed at girls and women. Evidence-based information is lacking on the sexual abuse of both boys and girls and on the sexual exploitation of boys. The majority of studies to date have emphasized trafficking for sexual exploitation and have been focused on women and girls. Research on trafficking has concentrated on recruitment, transportation and sale of victims; little research has been conducted on the subsequent situations of exploitation into which children are trafficked. Some countries in South Asia are beginning to fill the knowledge gap regarding both child sexual abuse and sexual exploitation of boys. The information that is presented was mainly gathered in 2008, but it remains limited by the sources available, some of which date back several years previously. The findings are however considered to be relatively robust and consistent. The report presents concrete recommendations for strengthening legislation, policy and programmes to address this issue from a child rights based approach. It highlights that listening to boys and girls and learning from their experiences and recommendations are key to designing and implementing effective preventive and protective mechanisms. Details: Florence, Italy: UNICEF Innocenti Research Center, 2010. 165p. Source: Internet Resource: Innocenti Working Paper No. 2010-02: Accessed February 9, 2011 at: http://www.unicef-irc.org/publications/pdf/iwp_2010_02.pdf Year: 2010 Country: Asia URL: http://www.unicef-irc.org/publications/pdf/iwp_2010_02.pdf Shelf Number: 120726 Keywords: Child ProstitutionChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual ExploitationMale VictimsSex Tourism |
Author: Barnardo's Title: Puppet on a String: The Urgent Need to Cut Children Free From Sexual Exploitation Summary: This report outlines what is known about the scale and nature of sexual exploitation across the UK and points to some worrying new trends identified by Barnardo’s 22 specialist services. Emphasising that child sexual exploitation is a child protection issue, the report calls for the secretary of state for education to appoint a minister to take forward a national action plan to tackle this crime against children. Details: Ilford, UK: Barnardo's, 2011. 28p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 16, 2011 at: Year: 2011 Country: United Kingdom URL: Shelf Number: 120808 Keywords: Child ProstitutionChild Sexual Abuse (U.K.)Child Sexual Exploitation |
Author: Marcovich, Malka Title: Trafficking, Sexual Exploitation and Prostitution of Women and Girls in Iraq Summary: Trafficking, Sexual Exploitation and Prostitution of Women and Girls in Iraq is particularly based on firsthand knowledge gained through a consultation process with women and women’s organizations in Iraq and the neighboring region, over a period of three years. Many factors combine to promote the rise of sex trafficking and prostitution in the area: the US-led war and the chaos it has generated; the growing insecurity and lawlessness; corruption of authorities; the upsurge in religious extremism; economic hardship; marriage pressures; gender based violence and recurrent discrimination suffered by women; kidnappings of girls and women; the impunity of perpetrators of crimes, especially those against women; and the development of new technologies associated with the globalization of the sex industry. Organizations that have experience aiding victims of gender based violence, who are in contact with women in the brothels and in prisons, and who have done research in the field, as well as reports from international agencies and NGOs, address these factors. Not only war and economic insecurity push women and girls into prostitution but also the social situation of widows and single women who, without resources, are also without social networks and protection. Male violence, including battering of wives, incest and honor crimes are also push factors. Women and children have been the primary victims who have suffered the consequences of both the brutal reign of Saddam Hussein and the Baath Party and the war begun in 2003. The backlash against women and women’s rights and the terrorizing of women has become commonplace. The impotence of authorities has encouraged a culture of impunity in which crimes against women are minimized, neglected and denied. Security is a key issue for both victims of trafficking for sexual exploitation and other forms of violence against women, and for those who assist and advocate for victims. This report investigates the factors that promote trafficking in women for prostitution, identifies the obtacles in preventing sexual exploitation and in punishing perpetrators, and recommends ways of addressing violence against women and protecting victims of trafficking and prostitution in Iraq. Details: Amman, Jordan: Norwegian Church Aid, 2010. 35p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 18, 2011 at: http://www.kirkensnodhjelp.no/PageFiles/726/Report,%20Trafficking%20in%20Iraq%20(PDF).pdf Year: 2010 Country: Iraq URL: http://www.kirkensnodhjelp.no/PageFiles/726/Report,%20Trafficking%20in%20Iraq%20(PDF).pdf Shelf Number: 120825 Keywords: Child ProstitutionHuman Trafficking (Iraq)ProstitutionSexual ExploitationViolence Against Women |
Author: Joudo Larsen, Jacqueline Title: The Trafficking of Children in the Asia–Pacific Summary: Children are vulnerable to many forms of abuse and exploitation and have long been victims of trafficking for the purpose of both sexual and labour exploitation. There has been some analysis of trafficking of children in Asia, where trafficking persists despite significant prevention efforts, however, comparatively little is known about trafficking in the Pacific. Given that over one-third of the population in the Pacific region is under 15 years of age, anecdotal reports of circumstances which may amount to trafficking raise concerns for the large youth population in the Pacific Islands. Further, although there have been no prosecutions for child trafficking in Australia, the risk experienced by children within the Asia–Pacific region is relevant to responses in Australia and in supporting the development of improved inter-country responses across the region. This paper examines current definitions of child trafficking, the forms that it is known to take in Asia and the Pacific, the factors which increase vulnerability to trafficking and the mechanisms for the protection of children from this crime. It is clear that greater conceptual clarity in the definition of child trafficking, together with more detailed investigation of trafficking areas that are less well-known (such as the trafficking of boys for sexual exploitation and the vulnerability of refugee and migrant children) will assist in improving the evidence base for child trafficking and inform the development of more effective responses to these crimes in the Asia–Pacific region. Details: Canberra: Australian Institute of Criminology, 2011. 6p. Source: Internet Resource: Trends & Issues in Crime and Criminal Jsutice, No. 415: Accessed May 5, 2011 at: http://www.aic.gov.au/documents/0/1/B/%7B01B01E30-2D3F-44EC-A3F6-713A85400134%7Dtandi415.pdf Year: 2011 Country: Australia URL: http://www.aic.gov.au/documents/0/1/B/%7B01B01E30-2D3F-44EC-A3F6-713A85400134%7Dtandi415.pdf Shelf Number: 121646 Keywords: Child ProstitutionChild TraffickingForced LaborHuman TraffickingSex Trafficking |
Author: Song, Susan Title: Global Child Sex Tourism: Children as Tourist Attractions Summary: This study outlines the growing use of child prostitution as an inducement to travelers. Child sex tourism is a highly pervasive industry, though steps are being taken worldwide to eradicate it. Details: Washington, DC: Youth Advocate Program International, 2004. 5p. Source: Internet Resourcea; Accessed May 19, 2011 at: http://www.yapi.org/rpchildsextourism.pdf Year: 2004 Country: International URL: http://www.yapi.org/rpchildsextourism.pdf Shelf Number: 121755 Keywords: Child ProstitutionChild Sex TourismSexual Exploitation |
Author: Maiti Nepal Title: Youth-Led Study on the Vulnerability of Young Girls Working in Restaurants, Bars and Massage Parlours in Kathmandu Summary: For many reasons, a significant percentage of the rural population of Nepal is migrating to cities in search of livelihoods and a better future for themselves and their families. While this general phenomenon is evidenced in all developing countries, it is especially conspicuous in Nepal, where there are only a few major cities, the most prominent being the capital, Kathmandu. A large number of girls and women who travel to Kathmandu in search of work ultimately find jobs in dance bars, massage parlours and cabin-style restaurants. Nepal has imposed legal restrictions on the commercial sex industry. Any act related to commercial sex work and pornography is considered a public offence. Despite these efforts, recent research and news reports have identified several areas in Nepal where the sex business is flourishing. Specifically, establishments billed as dance bars, cabin restaurants and massage parlours represent locations where sex is sold. Research reports state that young girls working in these places are at risk of exploitation and abuse and the alarming growth in the number of these establishments across the country indicates that many more young girls may become vulnerable to commercial sexual exploitation and other forms of harm. Young people from the organizations Bishwas Nepal, Child Workers in Nepal Concerned Centre (CWIN) and Maiti Nepal, affiliated with the Youth Partnership Project for Child Survivors of Commercial Sexual Exploitation in South Asia (YPP), developed and conducted a survey in an effort to identify factors causing young people working in Kathmandu cabin restaurants, dance bars, massage parlours and dohori restaurants to be vulnerable to exploitation and harm. The research also aimed to develop an understanding of the awareness of young people working in these areas of their potential vulnerability. Finally, the research attempts to explore possible effective measures for improving and ensuring the protection of these young people. Details: Bangkok: Maiti Nepal, 2010. 88p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed June 29, 2011 at: http://www.ecpat.net/ei/Publications/CYP/YPP_Research_Nepall.pdf Year: 2010 Country: Nepal URL: http://www.ecpat.net/ei/Publications/CYP/YPP_Research_Nepall.pdf Shelf Number: 121898 Keywords: Child ProstitutionChild Sexual Exploitation (Nepal)PornographySex Work |
Author: Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre Title: Out of Mind, Out of Sight: Breaking Down the Barriers to Understanding Child Sexual Exploitation Summary: CEOP has carried out a rapid assessment of ‘localised grooming’ in the UK. This is a form of sexual exploitation, previously referred to as ‘on street grooming’ in the media, where children have been groomed and sexually exploited by an offender, having initially met in a location outside their home, usually in a public place (such as a park, cinema, on the street or at a friend’s house). Offenders often act in concert, establishing a relationship with a child or children before sexually exploiting them. Some victims of ‘street grooming’ may believe that the offender is in fact an older ‘boyfriend’, introducing peers to the offender group who may also be sexually exploited. Abuse may occur at a number of locations within a local area and on several occasions. ‘Localised grooming’ has been subject to considerable media attention following a number of prosecutions of adult males for the grooming and sexually exploitation of children and young people in various towns and cities in the UK. Several NGOs have reported that large numbers of victims of this type of child sexual exploitation have accessed their services across the UK. However, there have been comparatively few prosecutions, and there is a general lack of knowledge of grooming and sexual exploitation in the UK and the threats posed to children and young people. In order to inform responses to ‘localised grooming’, a rapid assessment of the intelligence and information held by police forces, local authorities, LSCBs, NGOs and local service providers, on this particular form of sexual exploitation, has been undertaken. Information gathered during this assessment demonstrates the difficulty of measuring the scale of the issue, provides an opportunity to highlight good practice in a number of areas of the UK and the gaps which remain, and enables the recommendation of a number of measures for improving the UK’s response to child sexual exploitation. This thematic assessment was undertaken with four principle objectives: 1. Assess the size and scale of ‘localised grooming’ in proportion to the overall known picture of sexual exploitation of children under the age of 18 in the UK 2. Establish any patterns of offending profile or victim experience 3. Assess the effectiveness of processes which might help identify such offending or potential victims 4. Recommend action to be taken to reduce the risk in future, including any urgent action that becomes apparent It was aimed to determine the known extent of child sexual exploitation, based on intelligence and information held by relevant agencies, and to determine the proportion of cases which fit the profile of ‘localised grooming’. This assessment therefore represents an audit of the current knowledge of the scale of child sexual exploitation among those police forces, LSCBs, children’s services and service providers who responded to the request for information. Details: London: Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre, 2011. 122p. (Full Report) Source: Internet Resource: CEOP Thematic Assessment: Accessed July 1, 2011 at: http://www.ceop.police.uk/Documents/ceopdocs/ceop_thematic_assessment_executive_summary.pdf Year: 2011 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.ceop.police.uk/Documents/ceopdocs/ceop_thematic_assessment_executive_summary.pdf Shelf Number: 121943 Keywords: Child AbuseChild ProstitutionChild Sexual Exploitation (U.K.)Sex Offenses |
Author: Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP) Title: Hidden Children: The Trafficking and Exploitation of Children Within the Home Summary: The trafficking and exploitation of children can take many forms, both commercial and non-commercial. To date, however, there has been comparatively little focus on hidden children in the UK who are exploited on a non-commercial basis, in domestic servitude. This can be attributed to the fact these crimes are indeed hidden and the number of cases known to law enforcement is limited. In this ‘Hidden Children’ report, the Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) Centre identifies examples of modus operandi and techniques used by offenders in this form of exploitation. The report also outlines, identifies and profiles the trends and characteristics of this form of abuse, which has resulted in the development of recommendations with UK-wide significance. CEOP’s ‘Hidden Children’ report demonstrates that instances of child abuse through domestic servitude occur throughout the UK, with case studies used to illustrate the nature of the abuse. The report also shows that, in some instances, domestic servitude can occur in tandem with the commercial and economic exploitation of that child. This can take the form of forced labour, begging and pretty crime, and sexual exploitation. Details: London: CEOP, 2011. 36p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed July 27, 2011 at: http://www.ceop.police.uk/Documents/ceopdocs/CEOP_Hidden_Children_report_2011.pdf Year: 2011 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.ceop.police.uk/Documents/ceopdocs/CEOP_Hidden_Children_report_2011.pdf Shelf Number: 122185 Keywords: BeggingChild Abuse and Neglect (U.K.)Child ProstitutionChildren, Crimes AgainstForced Labour, Children |
Author: Finklea, Kristin M. Title: Sex Trafficking of Children in the United States: Overview and Issues for Congress Summary: The trafficking of individuals within U.S borders is commonly referred to as domestic human trafficking, and it occurs in every state of the nation. One form of domestic human trafficking is sex trafficking. Research indicates that most victims of sex trafficking into and within the United States are women and children, and the victims include U.S. citizens and noncitizens alike. Recently, Congress has focused attention on domestic sex trafficking, including the prostitution of children - which is the focus of this report. Federal law does not define sex trafficking per se. However, the term "severe forms of trafficking in persons," as defined in the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000 (TVPA, P.L. 106-386) encompasses sex trafficking. "Severe forms of trafficking in persons" refers, in part, to "[s]ex trafficking in which a commercial sex act is induced by force, fraud, or coercion, or in which the person induced to perform such act has not attained 18 years of age...." Experts generally agree that the trafficking term applies to minors whether the child's actions were forced or appear to be voluntary. The exact number of child victims of sex trafficking in the United States is unknown because comprehensive research and scientific data are lacking. Sex trafficking of children appears to be fueled by a variety of environmental and situational variables ranging from poverty or the use of prostitution by runaway and "thrown-away" children to provide for their subsistence needs to the recruitment of children by organized crime units for prostitution. The TVPA has been the primary vehicle authorizing services to victims of trafficking. Several agencies have programs or administer grants to other entities to provide specific services to trafficking victims. Despite language that authorizes services for citizen, lawful permanent resident, and noncitizen victims, appropriations for trafficking victims' services have primarily been used to serve noncitizen victims. U.S. citizen victims are also eligible for certain crime victim benefits and public benefit entitlement programs, though these services are not tailored to trafficking victims. Of note, specialized services and support for minor victims of sex trafficking are limited. Nationwide, organizations specializing in support for these victims collectively have fewer than 50 beds. Other facilities, such as runaway and homeless youth shelters and foster care homes, may not be able to adequately meet the needs of victims or keep them from pimps/traffickers and other abusers. In addition, it has been suggested that minor victims of sex trafficking - while too young to consent to sexual activity with adults - may at times be labeled as prostitutes or juvenile delinquents and treated as criminals rather than being identified and treated as trafficking victims. These children who are arrested may be placed in juvenile detention facilities instead of environments where they can receive needed social and protective services. Finally, experts widely agree that any efforts to reduce the prevalence of child sex trafficking - as well as other forms of trafficking - should address not only the supply, but also the demand. Congress may consider demand reduction strategies such as increasing public awareness and prevention as well as bolstering investigations and prosecutions of those who buy illegal commercial sex ("johns"). In addition, policy makers may deliberate enhancing services for victims of trafficking. The 112th Congress may address these and other issues if policy makers choose to take up the reauthorization of the TVPA , which expires at the end of FY2011. Details: Washington, DC: Congressional Research Services, 2011. 46p. Source: Internet Resource: R41878: Accessed August 10, 2011 at: http://www.couragetobeyou.org/wp-content/uploads/06.21.2011-CRS-Sex-Trafficking-of-Children.pdf Year: 2011 Country: United States URL: http://www.couragetobeyou.org/wp-content/uploads/06.21.2011-CRS-Sex-Trafficking-of-Children.pdf Shelf Number: 122346 Keywords: Child ProstitutionChild Trafficking (U.S.)Human TraffickingJuvenile RunawaysSex Trafficking |
Author: Europol Title: Child Sexual Exploitation: Fact Sheet 2011 Summary: In 2010, the European Commission adopted a proposal for a new Directive on combating sexual abuse, the sexual exploitation of children and child pornography, following up on a previous proposal tabled in 2009, with the aim of replacing the Framework Decision 2004/68/JHA. The new Directive, if approved, will follow the Lanzarote (Spain), October 20071 Council of Europe “Convention on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse” and is going to cover actions on the following different aspects: •Criminal law: criminalisation of serious forms of child sexual abuse and exploitation currently not covered by EU legislation, with Articles 3 and 4 aiming at punishing the intentional conduct of recruiting or coercing a child into prostitution or into pornographic performances or profiting from or otherwise exploiting a child for such purposes, and establishing provisions that punish all the offences related to child pornography which already fall under the Europol mandate as listed in the Council Decision establishing the Europol Police Office, applicable from 1 January 2010. •Developments in the IT environment: new forms of sexual abuse and exploitation facilitated by the use of the Internet would be criminalised (e.g. grooming or viewing child abusive material (CAM) without downloading the files). •Criminal investigation and initiation of proceedings: a number of provisions would be introduced to assist with investigating offences and the bringing about of charges, in the absence of reporting by the child victim. •Offences committed abroad: rules on jurisdiction would be amended to ensure that child sexual abusers or exploiters from the EU face prosecution, including if they commit their crimes in a non-EU country. •Protection of victims: new provisions would ensure that abused children have easy access to legal remedies and do not suffer as a result of participating in criminal proceedings. •Prevention of offences: special programmes should be accessible for offenders to prevent them from committing new offences. National mechanisms to block access to websites with child pornography, which are most often located outside the EU, should be put in place under the supervision of judicial services or the police. Details: The Hague: Europol, 2011. 13p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 24, 2011 at: http://polis.osce.org/library/f/3902/3234/EU-EU-RPT-3902-EN-Child%20Sexual%20Exploitation%202011%20Fact%20Sheet.pdf Year: 2011 Country: Europe URL: http://polis.osce.org/library/f/3902/3234/EU-EU-RPT-3902-EN-Child%20Sexual%20Exploitation%202011%20Fact%20Sheet.pdf Shelf Number: 122477 Keywords: Child PornographyChild ProstitutionChild Sexual Abuse (Europe)Child Sexual Exploitation |
Author: Miles, Glen Title: The Butterfly Longitudinal Research Project. The Chab Dai Study on (Re-) integration. Researching the lifecycle of sexual exploitation & trafficking in Cambodia Summary: In 2010, Chab Dai and partners in Cambodia launched The Butterfly Longitudinal Research Project: Study on Reintegration. Over a period of 10 years, this study aims to better understand the experiences of survivors of abuse who have been reintegrated back into society after rehabilitation. Researchers will follow victims as they become survivors starting from the time they are in the aftercare program. The purpose will be to ‘hear’ from the survivors themselves, about their lives, understandings and experiences so their voices can contribute towards a greater understanding of the complexities of reintegration. The First Year Progress Report features findings from the Phase 1 of the research completed in 2010. Researchers focused on collecting data from aftercare programs about how they reintegrated girls back into their communities. They also facilitated peer group discussions with girls currently in aftercare programs about: What the ideal aftercare shelter would look like; What their hopes and fears are about leaving the aftercare program; And what they think a girl needs to take with her in her heart, her mind, and in her suitcase when she is reintegrated. Details: Phnom Penh, Cambodia: Chab Dai Coalition, 2011. 130p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 26, 2011 at: http://chabdai.org/download_files/Butterfly%20Progress%20Report%202010.pdf Year: 2011 Country: Cambodia URL: http://chabdai.org/download_files/Butterfly%20Progress%20Report%202010.pdf Shelf Number: 122559 Keywords: Child ProstitutionChild Sex TraffickingChild Sexual Exploitation (Cambodia)Reintegration, Child Victims |
Author: Thwaites, Greg Title: An Assessment of the Potential Savings from Barnardo’s Interventions for Young People Who Have Been Sexually Exploited Summary: This report presents the findings from research undertaken by Pro Bono Economics on behalf of Barnardo’s into the potential savings from Barnardo’s interventions for young people who have been sexually exploited. The research sought to determine the effectiveness of Barnardo’s interventions in reducing the risk of sexual exploitation and associated risk factors, and estimated the fiscal rate of return of such interventions – that is, the saving to the taxpayer for every pound spent by Barnardo’s on the intervention. Statistical methods were employed to measure the effect of Barnardo’s interventions on the severity of sexual exploitation and its associated risk factors. The cost of sexual exploitation was estimated for varying degrees of severity using a range of secondary sources. These estimates were then combined to calculate the gross financial benefit of the intervention, and compared to the cost of the intervention to give an overall fiscal rate of return. Two models are presented – one which assumes that the level of risk remains unchanged in the absence of the intervention, and one which provides an estimate of how the level of risk changes in the absence of an intervention. Both highlight that the benefits to the taxpayer of Barnardo's interventions for young people who have been sexually exploited substantially outweigh the costs, with a potential saving of either £6 or £12 for every £1 spent depending on the assumptions made, in addition to a substantial (non-costed) reduction in the risk of sexual exploitation. Details: London: Pro Bono Economics; Barnardo's, 2011. 45p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 20, 2011 at: http://www.probonoeconomics.com/wp-content/uploads/Barnados-report-final.pdf Year: 2011 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.probonoeconomics.com/wp-content/uploads/Barnados-report-final.pdf Shelf Number: 123057 Keywords: Child ProstitutionChild Sexual AbuseOrganized CrimeSex OffensesSexual Exploitation, Children (U.K.) |
Author: Netherlands. National Rapporteur on Trafficking in Human Beings Title: Human Trafficking: Ten Years of Independent Monitoring Summary: This report marks the tenth anniversary of the establishment of the post of National Rapporteur on Trafficking in Human Beings as an independent monitoring mechanism of the Netherlands’ efforts to combat human trafficking. It also marks ten years of making recommendations, 200 in all. Many of those recommendations have been acted upon, the importance of some has receded and others have been regularly repeated. This report outlines the progress made in efforts to tackle human trafficking in the Netherlands over the last ten years in light of those recommendations. This report contains no new recommendations. Nevertheless, the contents clearly illustrate the aspects of the fight against human trafficking that still give cause for concern and demand vigilance. New developments are highlighted that might present a different kind of challenge in the efforts to combat human trafficking. Political and public attention for the subject of human trafficking has grown in the last ten years. Tackling human trafficking is a priority for the police and the public prosecution service. The growing public and political awareness of human trafficking has also increased the abhorrence of this abject form of crime. The political outrage is reflected in the decision to raise the maximum sentences for this serious offence with effect from 1 July 2009. At the same time, the statistics show that the number of criminal cases registered by the district offices of the public prosecution service has fluctuated over the years and that in 2009 the figure was lower than in 2000. The statistics also show that the proportion of custodial sentences of less than one year is increasing, while prison sentences of more than four years are declining, both in first instance and on appeal. Any self-respecting society should do everything in its power to ensure that the five Ps, prevention, protection, prosecution, punishment and partnership, which together form the cornerstone of efforts to combat human trafficking, are a constant and integral facet of anti-trafficking policies and their implementation in practice. That was also the message conveyed by the European Court of Human Rights in its judgment in the case of Rantsev versus Cyprus and Russia. Effective progress depends on cooperation between the various actors responsible for implementing the 5P paradigm. Enormous efforts have also been made in this respect in recent years. But cooperation in the anti-trafficking chain is not in itself a magic formula. Success demands a constant willingness on the part of every actor to help find solutions for those elements of the paradigm that are not necessarily their own direct responsibility. Human trafficking is a worldwide problem. Although roughly a quarter of the registered victims in the last ten years were Dutch, the majority are still people who have fled from poverty in their own country in search of a more dignified existence, only to end up being exploited in the sex industry or in other sectors. Their experience is vividly illustrated by ‘Journey’, an exhibition that BNRM is bringing to the Netherlands to mark its tenth anniversary. The exhibition tells the story of a young East European girl who was trafficked for the purpose of exploitation in prostitution in the United Kingdom. The exhibition makes a deep impression and provides inspiration for continuing the fight against human trafficking. For the last ten years the Rapporteur has held a mirror up to the agencies engaged in the fight against human trafficking in the Netherlands. They have looked in that mirror. Details: The Hague: BNRM, 2010. 237p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 26, 2011 at: www.bnrm.nl Year: 2010 Country: Netherlands URL: Shelf Number: 123154 Keywords: Child ProstitutionHuman Trafficking (Netherlands)ProstitutionSex TraffickingSexual Exploitation |
Author: Barnett, Laura Title: Prostitution in Canada: International Obligations, Federal Law, and Provincial and Municipal Jurisdiction Summary: International trafficking in women and children, sexually exploited children in Thailand, female prostitutes murdered in British Columbia: each of these issues has special significance for Canada and its prostitution laws. Canada’s laws attempt to prosecute organized crime and to protect victims of trafficking and other forms of sexual violence, whether at home or by Canadians abroad. Canada’s multifaceted approach to curbing prostitution reflects a range of domestic and international obligations. Criminal laws are implemented at the federal level to meet international treaty obligations, while each province and municipality has its own means of dealing with prostitution locally, within the powers of its jurisdiction. Although these obligations occasionally clash – as when laws stretch beyond their mandated scope or do not manage to extend far enough – the ultimate result is a fairly comprehensive legislative response to prostitution and its associated social ills. Details: Ottawa: Library of Parliment, Parliamentary Information and Research Service, 2008. 33p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 26, 2011 at: Year: 2008 Country: Canada URL: Shelf Number: 123157 Keywords: Child ProstitutionHuman TraffickingOrganized CrimeProstitutesProstitution (Canada)Sexual Exploitation |
Author: Chetty, Kasturi Title: Child Sex Tourism in South African Law Summary: Child sex tourism is tourism organised with the primary purpose of facilitating a commercial sexual relationship with a child. It involves a segment of the local child sex industry that is directly connected to both an international and domestic tourist market. The increase of tourism has brought with it complications in that tourism is being used as a means for sex tourists to initiate contact with children. Aside from child sex tourists who are paedophiles, there are those who engage in the opportunistic exploitation of children while travelling on business or for other reasons. There are a number of social and economic factors leading to child sex tourism and the effect is that child victims are exposed to immediate harm, irreversible damage and even death. As South Africa's tourism industry expands into one of the country’s top earners of foreign currency, it is unfortunate to note that its child sex tourist trade is also on the increase. Reports show that sex tours are as easily organised as wine route tours in Cape Town. Commercial sexual exploitation of children is prevalent in South Africa and has become more organised in recent years. A comprehensive response to the problem is essential to ensure that South Africa does not become a “safe haven” for child sex tourists. Effective laws at home and the extraterritorial application of these laws to prosecute South African nationals for crimes committed abroad are imperative. Significant steps are being taken both nationally and internationally to target child sex tourism. South Africa has ratified several international instruments on children’s rights, trafficking in persons, child labour, and discrimination against women and young girls, all of which relate to child sex tourism. In doing so, South Africa has made an international commitment to uphold the provisions of these instruments and give effect to them. South Africa is therefore under an international obligation to create the necessary structures and apply mechanisms and resources to combat child sex tourism. South Africa does not have legislation that specifically prohibits child sex tourism at present. The Sexual Offences Act and common law, however, cover a wide range of offences relating to sexual intercourse and sexually indecent acts as well as the various facets of prostitution such as solicitation, procurement of females as prostitutes and brothel-keeping. Although these legal measures are in many respects commendable there are still too many loopholes. There are situations that are not adequately provided for and others that are not provided for at all. It is expected that the new Sexual Offences Bill containing specific provisions on child sex tourism couched in gender-neutral terms which apply extraterritorially, will go a long way to improving the present system for child victims. The issue of child protection is covered by South Africa’s Constitution as well the provisions of the Child Care Act and Domestic Violence Act. These legal measures ensure that the direct involvement in the commercial exploitation of children is prohibited, the conduct of parents who ill-treat or allow their child to be ill-treated is covered and the abduction or removal of a child is an offence. Despite these positive aspects, there is nevertheless room for improvement. The legislative provisions of the Children’s Act, which has been assented to by the President but not yet promulgated, comprehensively address the problem areas. Once enforced the Children’s Act will go a long way in improving the present system of child protection by holistically addressing the needs of children in respect of prevention of abuse as well as their care and protection. Other pieces of legislation which apply to child sex tourism are the Prevention of Organised Crime Act; Immigration Act; Basic Conditions of Employment Act; Films and Publications Act and the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act. They allow for the prosecution of sex exploiters and traffickers for offences related to child sex tourism, child prostitution, child pornography and various other forms of sexual exploitation of children. Overall the impact of these miscellaneous pieces of legislation on child sex tourism is praiseworthy. However, they bring to light the fact that there are numerous statutes, each dealing with one aspect of child sex tourism as opposed to a single comprehensive statute to refer to in handling such cases. Therefore there is still room for improvement in this regard. Details: Port Elizabeth, South Africa: Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, 2007. 139p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 12, 2011 at: https://www.nmmu.ac.za/documents/theses/KChetty.pdf Year: 2007 Country: South Africa URL: https://www.nmmu.ac.za/documents/theses/KChetty.pdf Shelf Number: 123319 Keywords: Child ProstitutionChild ProtectionChild Sex Tourism (South Africa)Child Sexual ExploitationInternet CrimesOrganized Crime |
Author: Beckett, Helen Title: 'Not a World Away': The Sexual Exploitation of Children and Young People in Northern Ireland Summary: Although the sexual exploitation of children and young people has previously been identified as an issue of concern within Northern Ireland (NI), little has been known about the scale and nature of the issue, or indeed ‘what works’ in preventing and responding to it. This has inevitably limited the degree to which we can effectively protect children and young people from this form of sexual abuse. Chapters one and two of the report set the context of the research. This chapter presents the aims and objectives of the work, a brief review of the existing body of sexual exploitation literature within the United Kingdom (UK) and an overview of the legislative and policy context within which the research occurred. Chapter two outlines the methodology employed within the research and the sample of participants and cases included within it. Chapters three to five present the quantitative findings of the research and a brief discussion as to the significance of these in relation to the extent of sexual exploitation among different populations of young people within NI. Chapter three presents information on reported cases of concern within a sample of 1,102 young people known to social services. Chapter four presents assessed levels of risk within the same group, calculated on the basis of a sexual exploitation risk assessment model from Wales. Chapter five considers risk within the wider youth population, presenting findings on self-reported experiences of sexual exploitation by the 786 16-year-olds who completed the 2010 ARK Young Life and Times (YLT) Survey. Chapters six to eight present findings from the qualitative aspects of the research, namely interviews with professionals and young people, and case file reviews. Commentary on the significance of these findings is woven throughout the chapters where relevant. Chapter six considers the different types of sexual exploitation known to be occurring within NI. Chapter seven presents information on the types of people perpetrating this abuse and the types of young people affected by it. Chapter eight explores the adequacy of current responses to the issue, highlighting both examples of promising practice and areas in which further progress is required. Chapter nine concludes the report with a brief synopsis of the key findings of the work and a series of recommendations on the way statutory bodies within NI can better respond to this issue in the future. Details: Belfast: Barnardo's, 2011. 106p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed January 19, 2012 at: http://www.barnardos.org.uk/13932_not_a_world_away_full_report.pdf Year: 2011 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.barnardos.org.uk/13932_not_a_world_away_full_report.pdf Shelf Number: 123675 Keywords: Child ProstitutionChild Sexual Abuse (Northern Ireland)Runaways |
Author: Barnardo's Title: Cutting Them Free: How is the UK Progressing in Protecting Its Children from Sexual Exploitation? Summary: The report appraises the progress made in policy and practice over 2011 and sets out evidence from the latest survey of our 21 specialist sexual exploitation services. The results are alarming: - acknowledgement and recognition of the issue remains patchy at a local level - The number of sexually exploited children Barnardo's works with has grown by 8.4% to 1,190 but vital awareness-raising work has reduced by 30% due to funding cuts - 1 in 3 services have seen a marked increase in exploitation by other young people - Organised exploitation and internal trafficking of children within the UK is still a big concern; 1 in 6 service users have been moved from town to town and city to city. Furthermore, our research found that nearly half (44%) of the children our services work with have gone missing from home or care in the past, and that 1 in 10 of those who were exploited were boys. Details: Barkingside, Ilford, UK: Barnardo's 2012. 16p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed January 19, 2012 at: http://www.barnardos.org.uk/cuttingthemfree.pdf Year: 2012 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.barnardos.org.uk/cuttingthemfree.pdf Shelf Number: 123674 Keywords: Child ProstitutionChild ProtectionChild Sexual Abuse (U.K.) |
Author: ECPAT UK Title: On the Safe Side: Principles for the Safe Accommodation of Child Victims of Trafficking Summary: This report details 10 principles for the safe accommodation of child victims of trafficking.It is a vital resource for those providing accommodation for child victims of trafficking and acts as a clear, easily accessible guide to safe accommodation that is aimed to reduce the number of child victims of trafficking going missing from local authority care. It brings together a wealth of research so that practitioners are able to successfully meet the required standards of safe accommodation, while taking into account the complex needs of a child victim of trafficking, putting the child at the heart of the model. Details: London: ECPAT UK, 2011. 52p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 2, 2012 at: http://www.ecpat.org.uk/sites/default/files/on_the_safe_side.pdf Year: 2011 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.ecpat.org.uk/sites/default/files/on_the_safe_side.pdf Shelf Number: 124346 Keywords: Child PornographyChild ProstitutionChild Sexual ExploitationChild Trafficking (U.K.)Victims of Trafficking |
Author: Shukla, Rakesh Title: Sex Work and Laws in South Asia: A Monograph Summary: The law with regard to sex work remains among the most ambiguous pieces of legislation in South Asia. Activists working for the empowerment of sex workers or in HIV/AIDS prevention programs in the region remain unclear about even the basics of prevalent laws with regard to prostitution and trafficking. India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Myanmar share a common colonial past and retain penal codes framed by the British in 1860. Thus we find common or similar statutes with regard to issues like public decency, obscenity, morality, public health (often used against sex workers) and selling or buying for purposes of prostitution. We also find sections like 377 of the Indian Penal Code and Pakistan Penal Code categorizing homosexual acts as an offence. Many laws limit the definition of trafficking to only those acts involving prostitution. This focus dates back to the United Nations Convention for the Suppression of the Traffic in Persons and the Exploitation of the Prostitution of Others in 1949. The SAARC Convention on Preventing and Combating Trafficking in Women and Children signed in 2002 continues the sole focus of prostitution as the end point of trafficking. The definition of trafficking clearly confines it to the moving, buying or selling of women and children for prostitution. Similarly the category of “persons subjected to trafficking” is restricted to women and children victimized or forced into prostitution through deception, threats, coercion, kidnapping or other unlawful means. This exclusive focus does not address the issue of persons trafficked for other purposes like forced or bonded labour. On the other hand by conflating trafficking and sex work/prostitution it derails all discussion about trafficking through fraud, deceit and coercion into a debate over prostitution – de-criminalization, regulation and abolition. This monograph attempts to demystify and explain the content of the prevalent laws in the region which are relevant to activists and practitioners working in the field. The available legislations and case law have been analyzed from the point of view of the issues of conflation of trafficking and sex work, right of sex workers to live in liberty and dignity, the right to move freely, the right to reside in a place of choice, the right to migrate, forced and voluntary sex work, entry of minors, rescue and rehabilitation. The material available is uneven in respect to the countries in the region and this in turn is reflected in the document. Thus most material was available with regard to India and Sri Lanka, then Bangladesh, Nepal and Pakistan and the least for Myanmar, which has not been included due to our limitation in obtaining English translations of documents in Burmese. While the monograph does give unequal space to the various countries of the region, however, this is not indicative of bias but of the constraint of the availability of material. Details: Maharashta, India: Sampada Gramin Mahila Sanstha (SANGRAM), 2010. 82p. Source: Internet Resource: Monograph Series 4: Accessed April 4, 2012 at: http://sangram.org/Download/Laws_in_south_asia.pdf Year: 2010 Country: Asia URL: http://sangram.org/Download/Laws_in_south_asia.pdf Shelf Number: 124816 Keywords: Child ProstitutionProstitutesProstitution (Asia)Sex TraffickingSex Workers |
Author: Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Title: Tennessee Human Sex Trafficking and Its Impact on Children and Youth 2011 Summary: This study is an attempt to quantify and qualify the issue of trafficking domestically and within the state of Tennessee in particular. In the forthcoming pages, the scale of the problem is discussed using the combined knowledge of law enforcement and social service personnel in every county across Tennessee. There are indications that some professionals blame the victim or see trafficking (as it is federally defined) as a victimless crime. These are barriers to combat trafficking and have been indicated in other studies of sex trafficking. The problem of trafficking is not only a problem of supply and demand, but of understanding and training among professionals who may come across victims or potential victims of trafficking. The analyses of the study provided a great number of facts and figures; however, please take the time to read the case studies that are offered in this report. According to the experiences of TBI staff, these are not uncommon stories of women who have been forced or coerced into prostitution, or were prostituted at a young age (i.e., the very definition of trafficking). These case studies put a face on the problem. In essence, they humanize the victims of human sex trafficking. Details: Nashville, TN: Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, 2011. 82p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 18, 2012 at: http://www.tbi.state.tn.us/documents/finaltnhumansextraffickingstudycolorrev2.pdf Year: 2011 Country: United States URL: http://www.tbi.state.tn.us/documents/finaltnhumansextraffickingstudycolorrev2.pdf Shelf Number: 125020 Keywords: Child ProstitutionHuman Trafficking (Tennessee)ProstitutionSexual Exploitation |
Author: Shared Hope International Title: Rapid Assessment on Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking: Virginia Summary: Domestic minor sex trafficking (DMST) is the commercial sexual exploitation of a United States (U.S.) citizen or lawful permanent resident (LPR) child through prostitution, pornography or sexual performance for monetary or other compensation (i.e. shelter, food, drugs, etc.). Experts estimate 100,000 U.S. citizen/LPR minors are used in prostitution every year in the U.S., making DMST the single most under-reported, under-identified, and most severe form of commercial sexual exploitation America is facing today.1 The federal Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) of 2000, and subsequent reauthorizations, has defined all minors involved in commercial sex acts as victims of trafficking, including minors who are U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents. Despite being federally defined as victims of a crime, many domestic minor sex trafficking victims are routed through the juvenile justice system under charges of prostitution or related delinquencies instead of being identified as victims in need of services to which they are statutorily entitled. Shared Hope International has researched the identification of and response to domestic minor sex trafficking victims in Virginia. The Rapid Assessment Methodology and Tool: Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking in the United States was developed by Shared Hope International, funded by the Department of Justice (DOJ), and implemented in Virginia by Samantha Healy Vardaman, Esq., Taryn Mastrean, Tabatha Mansfield, and Elizabeth Scaife of Shared Hope International. This assessment includes information collected from July to November 2010 through a comprehensive survey of existing research and the completion of 41 interviews with representatives from 32 organizations and agencies that interact with or advocate for victims of domestic minor sex trafficking. An addendum follows that brings in recent information and developments in Virginia, as the issue has rapidly gained attention and action on the part of state leaders and legislators. Throughout the report, Shared Hope International notes effective practices as well as gaps and challenges that are present while working with this challenging population of victims. The goal of this assessment is to provide first responders and community members with information to advocate for improvements in the identification and proper response to DMST victims. This assessment will be provided to all stakeholders to inform the identification of victims and to help bring services. This research offers qualitative data on the DMST issue in Virginia; additional and continuing research to quantify the scope of the problem would help support future action in Virginia. Details: Vancouver, WA: Shared Hope International, 2011. 82p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed July 7, 2012 at: http://www.sharedhope.org/Portals/0/Documents/VirginiaRA.pdf Year: 2011 Country: United States URL: http://www.sharedhope.org/Portals/0/Documents/VirginiaRA.pdf Shelf Number: 125492 Keywords: Child ProstitutionChild Sexual ExploitationChild Trafficking (Virginia)Human Trafficking |
Author: Chan, Isabelle Title: Addressing Local Demand for Commercial Sex with Children in Cambodia: A Recommended Strategy for ECPAT-Cambodia Summary: This Policy Analysis Exercise (PAE) sheds light on the issue of local demand for commercial sex with children under 18 in Cambodia. Through its findings, this PAE informs current trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation programming in Cambodia and recommends a strategy for ECPAT-Cambodia, the client of this PAE, on how to address local demand for commercial sex with children. Based on a comprehensive literature review of available studies and reports on local demand and related subjects, meetings with 37 experts and local stakeholders, and surveys with 47 Cambodian men and 46 former girl sex workers, this PAE makes eight key findings: 1) The virginity trade is an important factor of local demand in Cambodia; 2) Local demand accounts for the majority of demand for commercial sex with children under 18 in Cambodia; 3) Local demand for commercial sex with children under 18 is not limited to preferential buyers, such as virginity-seekers or pedophiles; 4) The enabling environments of corruption and weak law enforcement, gender inequality and sexual norms, and lack of sexual education in schools and communities facilitate the sexual exploitation of children under 18; 5) While there has been increasing attention on local demand, research gaps remain; 6) While some NGOs recognize the role of local demand, most continue to address commercial sexual exploitation of children by focusing on trafficking and international sex tourists. In addition, efforts to address local demand lack systematization; 7) Efforts to tackle local demand must tap onto existing activities and networks available from local stakeholders; and 8) Increasing donor attention on demand-side interventions, especially from the U.S. Government, presents unique opportunities to tackle local demand in Cambodia. Based on these key findings, this PAE recommends that ECPAT-Cambodia pursues a three-fold strategy for addressing local demand that: 1) Advocates for a shift in how NGOs, the Cambodian Government, and donors think about the commercial sexual exploitation of children, moving away from a restrictive focus on trafficking and international sex tourists; 2) Works with local stakeholders, including ECPAT’s network of NGO partners, Cambodian government agencies, and donors to include a local demand focus on existing programs and activities that address the trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation of women and children in Cambodia; and 3) Creates partnerships with key local stakeholders to implement comprehensive programming on local demand that focuses not only on the local buyers but also the enabling environments that facilitate the commercial sexual exploitation of children. Details: Phnom Penh, Cambodia: ECPAT-Cambodia, 2010. 89p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed July 7, 2012 at: http://www.ecpatcambodia.org/documents/Research_on_Local_Demand_for_Commercial_Sex.pdf Year: 2010 Country: Cambodia URL: http://www.ecpatcambodia.org/documents/Research_on_Local_Demand_for_Commercial_Sex.pdf Shelf Number: 125501 Keywords: Child ProstitutionChild Sexual Exploitation (Cambodia)Child Trafficking |
Author: Shared Hope International Title: Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking: Child Sex Slavery in Washington Summary: Domestic minor sex trafficking (DMST) is the commercial sexual exploitation of United States citizen or lawful permanent resident (LPR) children through prostitution, pornography or sexual performance for monetary or other compensation (shelter, food, drugs, etc.). Experts estimate at least 100,000 U.S. citizen/LPR minors are used in prostitution every year in the U.S., making DMST the single most under-reported, under-identified, and most severe form of commercial sexual exploitation children are facing today.1 The Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) of 2000, and subsequent reauthorizations, has defined all minors involved in commercial sex acts as victims of trafficking, including minors who are U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents. However, the reality is that many domestic minor sex trafficking victims are detained in the criminal justice system under charges of prostitution instead of receiving the services they need and to which they are statutorily entitled. Shared Hope International has researched the identification and proper response to domestic minor sex trafficking victims in Washington. The Rapid Assessment Methodology and Tool: Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking in the United States was developed by Shared Hope International, funded by the Department of Justice (DOJ), and implemented in Washington by Melissa Snow, Karen Redington, M.S., and Kelli Russell of Shared Hope International. This assessment includes information collected from September to November 2010 through a comprehensive survey of existing research and the completion of 105 interviews with representatives from over 55 organizations and agencies that interact with or advocate for victims of domestic minor sex trafficking. Best practices are noted throughout the report, as well as the gaps and challenges that are present while working with this difficult population of victims. A motivated group of individuals, organizations, and agencies in Washington are wrestling with the task of identifying and responding to domestic minor sex trafficking victims. Nonetheless, countless victims remain hidden and those who are identified or self-disclose their involvement in prostitution are often placed in the juvenile justice system rather than treated as victims. This results in the failure to access available services for the restoration of victims. The goal of this assessment is to provide Washington first responders and community members with information to advocate for improvements in the identification and proper response to DMST victims. This assessment will be provided to all stakeholders to inform the identification of victims and to help bring them services offered in accordance with the TVPA and its reauthorizations. This research offers qualitative data on the DMST issue in Washington; Details: Vancouver, WA: Shared Hope International, 2011. 84p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed July 9, 2012 at: http://www.sharedhope.org/Portals/0/Documents/WashingtonRA.pdf Year: 2011 Country: United States URL: http://www.sharedhope.org/Portals/0/Documents/WashingtonRA.pdf Shelf Number: 125515 Keywords: Child ProstitutionChild Sex Trafficking (Washington State)Child Sexual ExploitationHuman Trafficking |
Author: Squire, Jason Title: Sri Lanka Research Report The Sexual Abuse, Commercial Sexual Exploitation and Trafficking of Children in Sri Lanka Summary: Sri Lanka is famed for the proverbial three S’s: Sun, Sea and Sand. In the north and east of the country, the government has been engaged in armed conflict for over 25 years with the secessionist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). Relative to the other countries of South Asia, the Sri Lankan government over the last 40 years has been able to provide adequate social services to its population: the country has the best educational system in South Asia, with a relatively high attendance of children in school, and health services that reach the majority of the population. People’s access to media is high throughout the country. At the same time, the ongoing civil war and decrease in the strength of the agricultural economy, which supports approximately 75% of the population, have resulted in increased rural poverty. In response to this, the government has engaged in two primary economic strategies, both of which have had a direct impact on the sexual abuse and commercial sexual exploitation of children. The first strategy has been the promotion of external labour migration for women. Sri Lanka has the highest proportion in South Asia of females working abroad for employment, and these comprise primarily women who have young children. The consequent absence of female caregivers has resulted in a reduction of protection for children in the home, in turn resulting in what many consider to be a high level of domestic sexual abuse. The second economic strategy supported by the government has been the development of an international tourism industry, initiated in the 1970s. National and international tourism are mainly concentrated around the western, north central, central and southern provinces. Tourism is one of the main income-generating activities for the country. While benefiting the economy, the growth of tourism coupled with low levels of child protection, the prevalence of domestic child sexual abuse and increasing rural poverty is thought to have contributed to the growth of child sex tourism (CST) in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka gained notoriety for the availability of child sex in the 1980s. Since then, many local NGOs and international agencies have been active in raising the issue as a concern and developing projects around the issues. To date, the majority of interventions and research on the commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC) and child sex tourism have focused on the ‘destination’ end of the situation – that is, the locations where sexual exploitation take place. Fewer interventions and less research have been conducted on the ‘source’ side of the situation – that is, in the families and communities from which the exploited children originate. Details: Lausanne, SWIT: Terre des hommes, 2008. 62p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed July 9, 2012 at: http://www.childtrafficking.com/Docs/trafficking_report_srilanka_17_12_08.pdf Year: 2008 Country: Sri Lanka URL: http://www.childtrafficking.com/Docs/trafficking_report_srilanka_17_12_08.pdf Shelf Number: 114895 Keywords: Child ProstitutionChild Sex TraffickingChild Sexual Abuse (Sri Lanka)Child Sexual ExploitationHuman TraffickingSex Tourism |
Author: Smith, Linda A. Title: Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking: Child Sex Slavery in Arizona Summary: Domestic minor sex trafficking (DMST) is the commercial sexual exploitation of United States citizen or lawful permanent resident (LPR) children through prostitution, pornography or sexual performance for monetary or other compensation i.e. shelter, food, drugs, etc. Experts estimate 100,000 U.S. citizen/ LPR minors are used in prostitution every year in the U.S., making DMST the single most under-reported, under-identified, and most severe form of commercial sexual exploitation children are facing today.1 The Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) of 2000, and subsequent reauthorizations, has defined all minors involved in commercial sex acts as victims of trafficking, including minors who are U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents. However, the reality is that many domestic minor sex trafficking victims are detained in the criminal justice system under charges of prostitution instead of receiving the services they need and to which they are statutorily entitled. Shared Hope International has researched the identification and proper response to domestic minor sex trafficking victims in Arizona. The Rapid Assessment Methodology and Tool: Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking in the United States was developed by Shared Hope International, funded by the Department of Justice (DOJ), and implemented in Arizona by Taryn Mastrean and Samantha Healy Vardaman, J.D., both of Shared Hope International. This assessment includes information collected from July to September 2010 through a comprehensive survey of existing research and the completion of 64 interviews with representatives from 36 organizations and agencies that interact with or advocate for victims of domestic minor sex trafficking. Best practices are noted throughout the report, as well as the gaps and challenges that are present while working with this difficult population of victims. A motivated group of individuals, organizations, and agencies in Arizona are wrestling with the task of identifying and responding to domestic minor sex trafficking victims. Nonetheless, most victims remain hidden and those who are identified or self-disclose their involvement in prostitution are often placed in the juvenile justice system rather than treated as victims. This results in the failure to access available services for the restoration of victims. The goal of this assessment is to provide Arizona first responders and community members with information to advocate for improvements in the identification and proper response to DMST victims. This assessment will be provided to all stakeholders to inform the identification of victims and to help bring them services offered in accordance with the TVPA and its reauthorizations. This research offers qualitative data on the DMST issue in Arizona; additional research to quantify the scope of the problem would support upcoming action in Arizona. Phoenix is a state and national leader on domestic minor sex trafficking. Professionals in other municipalities within Arizona expressed great desire to implement the same response measures that have proven successful in Phoenix; however, financial support is more difficult to obtain for these smaller cities and counties. Inadequate funding and limited resources have restricted responders and service providers from implementing proper identification, investigation, prosecution, service response, and aftercare for victims of trafficking. Dedicated actors around the state illustrate that Arizona has the elements necessary to grow as a national leader on the issue of domestic minor sex trafficking through continued collaboration and advocacy despite adverse economic conditions. Details: Vancouver, WA: Shared Hope International, 2010. 92p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed July 10, 2012 at: http://www.sharedhope.org/Portals/0/Documents/ArizonaRA.pdf Year: 2010 Country: United States URL: http://www.sharedhope.org/Portals/0/Documents/ArizonaRA.pdf Shelf Number: 125526 Keywords: Child PornographyChild ProstitutionChild Sex Trafficking (Arizona)Child Sexual Exploitation |
Author: United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). Innocenti Research Centre Title: Assessing 'The Code of Conduct' for the Protection of Children from Sexual Exploitation in Travel and Tourism: Discussion Paper Summary: The Code of Conduct for the Protection of Children from Sexual Exploitation in Travel and Tourism ('The Code') was established in 1998 by ECPAT Sweden with the assistance of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). Since 2004 there has been no comprehensive assessment of the impact of The Code. In addition, no performance monitoring system has been put in place.This assessment was designed to review the current performance of The Code, and to propose a set of criteria based on rights-based principles for measuring the impact and effectiveness of The Code at global and country levels. Details: Florence, Italy: UNICEF Innocenti Research Centre, 2012. 50p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed July 25, 2012 at: http://www.unicef-irc.org/publications/662 Year: 2012 Country: International URL: http://www.unicef-irc.org/publications/662 Shelf Number: 125769 Keywords: Child ProstitutionChild ProtectionChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual ExploitationTourism and Crime |
Author: Hevanamage, Veyoma Title: Global Monitoring Status of Action Against Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children: Thailand. 2nd Edition Summary: The Agenda for Action against Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children provides a detailed framework and categories of actions to be taken by governments in partnership with civil society organizations and other relevant actors for combating commercial sexual crimes against children. Broadly, these actions are focused on: 1) Coordination and Cooperation; 2) Prevention; 3) Protection; 4) Recovery, Rehabilitation and Reintegration; and 5) Child Participation. The Agenda for Action is thus the formal and guiding structure used by governments that have adopted it and committed to work against CSEC. As such, the Agenda for Action is also the main organising framework for reporting on the status of implementation of the Agenda as seen in the World Congress II of 2001, the Mid-Term Review meetings held between 2004 and 2005 and the World Congress III in 2008. It has been used in the same way to structure and guide the research, analysis and preparation of information presented in these reports on the status of implementation of the Agenda in the individual countries. Preparatory work for this 2nd Edition report involved a review of the literature available on sexual exploitation for each of the countries where ECPAT works. A number of tools were prepared, such as a detailed glossary of CSEC terms, explanatory literature on more difficult themes and concepts and a guide to relevant CSEC related research tools, to assist researchers in their work and to ensure consistency in the gathering, interpreting and analysing of information from different sources and parts of the world. Desktop research has shown a continuing lack of information in the areas of Recovery, Rehabilitation and Reintegration. After extensive efforts to collect information relevant to these areas for each of the countries covered, it was decided that as this information was not consistently available, the reports thus focus only on those areas of the Agenda for Action where verifiable information can be obtained. Thus, the report covers: Coordination and Cooperation; Prevention; Protection and Child and Youth Participation, and where information on recovery, rehabilitaton and reintegration, was available, it has been included under the country overview. These 2nd Edition Reports also reflect a greater focus on integrated and inter-sector collaboration for the realisation of the right of the child to protection from sexual exploitation, including the need nationally for comprehensive child protection systems. Details: Bangkok: ECPAT International, 2011. 64p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 3, 2012 at: http://www.ecpat.net/A4A_2005/PDF/EAP/A4A2011_EAP_Thailand_FINAL.pdf Year: 2011 Country: Thailand URL: http://www.ecpat.net/A4A_2005/PDF/EAP/A4A2011_EAP_Thailand_FINAL.pdf Shelf Number: 126549 Keywords: Child ProstitutionChild ProtectionChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual Exploitation (Thailand)Sex Tourism |
Author: Hevamange, Veyoma Title: Global Monitoring Status of Action Against Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children: Japan. 2nd Edition Summary: The Agenda for Action against Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children provides a detailed framework and categories of actions to be taken by governments in partnership with civil society organizations and other relevant actors for combating commercial sexual crimes against children. Broadly, these actions are focused on: 1) Coordination and Cooperation; 2) Prevention; 3) Protection; 4) Recovery, Rehabilitation and Reintegration; and 5) Child Participation. The Agenda for Action is thus the formal and guiding structure used by governments that have adopted it and committed to work against CSEC. As such, the Agenda for Action is also the main organising framework for reporting on the status of implementation of the Agenda as seen in the World Congress II of 2001, the Mid-Term Review meetings held between 2004 and 2005 and the World Congress III in 2008. It has been used in the same way to structure and guide the research, analysis and preparation of information presented in these reports on the status of implementation of the Agenda in the individual countries. Preparatory work for this 2nd Edition report involved a review of the literature available on sexual exploitation for each of the countries where ECPAT works. A number of tools were prepared, such as a detailed glossary of CSEC terms, explanatory literature on more difficult themes and concepts and a guide to relevant CSEC related research tools, to assist researchers in their work and to ensure consistency in the gathering, interpreting and analysing of information from different sources and parts of the world. Desktop research has shown a continuing lack of information in the areas of Recovery, Rehabilitation and Reintegration. After extensive efforts to collect information relevant to these areas for each of the countries covered, it was decided that as this information was not consistently available, the reports thus focus only on those areas of the Agenda for Action where verifiable information can be obtained. Thus, the report covers: Coordination and Cooperation; Prevention; Protection and Child and Youth Participation, and where information on recovery, rehabilitaton and reintegration, was available, it has been included under the country overview. These 2nd Edition Reports also reflect a greater focus on integrated and inter-sector collaboration for the realisation of the right of the child to protection from sexual exploitation, including the need nationally for comprehensive child protection systems. Details: Bangkok: ECPAT International, 2011. 58p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 3, 2012 at: http://ecpat.net/EI/Pdf/A4A_II/A4A2011_EAP_Japan_FINAL.pdf Year: 2011 Country: Japan URL: http://ecpat.net/EI/Pdf/A4A_II/A4A2011_EAP_Japan_FINAL.pdf Shelf Number: 126550 Keywords: Child ProstitutionChild ProtectionChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual Exploitation (Japan) |
Author: Cox, Lisa Title: Global Monitoring Status of Action Against Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children: Canada. 2nd Edition Summary: While childa prostitution is present throughout Canada, it is most visible in larger urban centres, such as Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver, where small organised crime groups often control prostitution rings involving children. It is estimated that the average age of children entering prostitution in Canada is 13 to 18. Despite this problem, there are extremely limited services to support sexually exploited children. Experts in the field note that the single biggest challenge is securing safe housing for these child victims, as organisations providing shelter and focused services struggle to find funding to provide the full array of services needed. Several distinct groups of children are at particular risk of becoming involved in the sex trade in Canada. Those vulnerable groups include runaways, unwanted children, youth living independently, and children using Internet communications to solicit clients for sex. These children generally lack supervision and are developmentally unprepared to deal with the dangers associated with the sex trade. Canada is a source, transit, and destination country for children subjected to trafficking in persons. Across the country Canadian women and girls, particularly from Aboriginal communities, and foreign women and children, primarily from Asia and Eastern Europe, have been identified as victims of sex trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation. Victims of sex trafficking have been identified from the following countries: China, Hong Kong, Fiji, Taiwan, South Korea, the Philippines, Romania, Ukraine and Moldova. It is reported that Asian victims are found primarily in Vancouver and Western Canada while victims from Eastern Europe are primarily sent to Toronto, Montreal and Eastern Canada. Authorities also report Canadian lawmakers continue to grapple with the pressures and complexities of new technologies that increase the availability of child pornography. In the past several years, investigators in Canada have reported an increase in the number of videos available that depict child sexual abuse, as well as an increase in the size of personal collections that organised crime units are often involved and that many of the victims, especially ones from South Korea, were “in-transit” to the United States. Details: Bangkok: ECPAT International, 2012. 62p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 3, 2012 at: http://www.ecpat.net/EI/Pdf/A4A_II/A4A_V2_AM_CANADA.pdf Year: 2012 Country: Canada URL: http://www.ecpat.net/EI/Pdf/A4A_II/A4A_V2_AM_CANADA.pdf Shelf Number: 126551 Keywords: Child PornographyChild ProstitutionChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual Exploitation (Canada)Child TraffickingHuman TraffickingOrganized Crime |
Author: Cox, Lisa Title: Global Monitoring Status of Action Against Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children: United States of America. 2nd Edition Summary: The United States is a federal constitutional republic, in which the President, Congress and the Judiciary share powers reserved to the Federal Government, and the Federal Government shares sovereignty with the state governments. Although the financial crisis has resulted in a prolonged economic downturn, the United States still has the largest and most powerful economy in the world, with a per capita gross domestic product (GDP) of around $48,000. The country overall has a very high standard of living and was ranked fourth in the world on the Human Development Index (HDI) in 2010. Despite the United States being a very high income country, US children are worse off than their peers in less rich countries in key areas of health, education and poverty. For example, infant and child mortality and rates of low birth weight are higher in the United States than in most other countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). In addition, the rate of child poverty is double and the rate of teen births, over three times the OECD average. However, the US Government is working to address these issues. It currently spends more on children than most OECD member states and has developed several relevant policies, as well as a good knowledge base, with regard to child wellbeing. The United States has also made progress in addressing the problem of commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC). Successful efforts in this area have included: adoption of strong legislation like the PROTECT our Children Act of 2008; the formulation and implementation in 2010 of The National Strategy for Child Exploitation Prevention and Interdiction; new initiatives promoting Internet safety and national public awareness campaigns; cooperation between public and private sectors; and the creation of national databases. Despite these efforts, there remains a huge gap in the implementation of existing laws, policies and practises. Major factors contributing to this gap include: a lack of resources to assist victims; insufficient awareness of the extent of harm caused by CSEC; and widespread public attitudes that often view sexually exploited children as juvenile delinquents undeserving of protection. While the United States has a welldeveloped child welfare system that includes risk assessments, family preservation, foster care and adoption services and youth development, these services are often only available to children with caregivers. Children living on the street, runaways and those who have been forced into prostitution are often treated as criminals instead of victims in need of assistance. Thus, the child welfare system needs to be adapted to provide specialised services to children and youth who are without caregivers or parents. Although the prostitution of children is often perceived as a problem confined to developing countries, it regularly takes place in the United States. However, accurate figures about children being entrapped into this form of sexual exploitation are not available. According to government information, experts estimate that at least 100,000 children are exploited through prostitution every year in the United States; however, there is a paucity of reliable data. about the source and characteristics of sexually exploited children.8 It is noteworthy that since the enactment of the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000 (often referred to as the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000), all cases of children exploited in prostitution are considered as child sex trafficking regardless of whether the victim is an American citizen or has been transported. Details: Bangkok: ECPAT International, 2012. 70p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 4, 2012 at: http://www.ecpat.net/EI/Pdf/A4A_II/A4A_V2_AM_USA.pdf Year: 2012 Country: United States URL: http://www.ecpat.net/EI/Pdf/A4A_II/A4A_V2_AM_USA.pdf Shelf Number: 126556 Keywords: Child ProstitutionChild ProtectionChild Sex TraffickingChild Sexual Exploitation (U.S.)Human Trafficking |
Author: Canada. Parliament. Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights Title: The Sexual Exploitation of Children in Canada: the Need for National Action Summary: The exploitation of children through prostitution, child pornography, the luring of children over the Internet and any sexual abuse of a child are all forms of sexual exploitation. The common thread that runs through these crimes is that a child‘s inherent human dignity has been violated for the sexual gratification of adults. Whether these adults are referred to as sexual predators, sex offenders, or child abusers, they are taking advantage of Canada‘s most vulnerable members, its children, and abusing the trust that children place in adults to protect them and to help them identify what is in their best interest. The Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights (the committee) began its study in 2009 of ―the issue of the sexual exploitation of children in Canada, with a particular emphasis on understanding the scope and prevalence of the problem of the sexual exploitation of children across the country and in particularly affected communities.‖ It had previously drawn attention to the pressing need for action by the Government of Canada in response to the commercial sexual exploitation of children in its 2007 report, Children: The Silenced Citizens, Effective Implementation of Canada’s International Obligations with Respect to the Rights of Children. Over the course of the present study, the committee learned from witnesses that the sexual exploitation of children is all too prevalent and that much more needs to be done to provide appropriate help to children who find themselves in these situations. The committee heard from many Canadians who are working to reduce the incidence of sexual exploitation in Canada and to assist those children who have been sexually exploited. These witnesses have a wealth of experience, creative initiative and commitment to contribute and we applaud their dedication. It became clear from their testimony, however, that many organisations across Canada do not have the funding, resources and support necessary to allow them to share experiences among themselves and to build upon each others‘ strengths. Witnesses also emphasized that there is currently a limited understanding of the scope and extent of sexual exploitation in Canada, of the challenges facing children in this regard, of the root causes that make some children more vulnerable to abuse, and of the various methods being used to lure children into exploitive situations. This lack of knowledge only serves to help the perpetrators who sexually exploit children. In this report, the committee provides its recommendations for how the federal government can develop well-informed policies, programs and services to help children avoid, escape or heal from the harms of sexual exploitation. Immediate action is also needed to ensure that an adequate and consistent level of services is available across the country to all Canadian children. By supporting the work of government agencies and non-government organisations through the national gathering of appropriate data and research, performing the appropriate analyses, and thereby leading the way to the development of better programs, the Government of Canada can lay the foundation for rebuilding children‘s trust that Canada can truly help them. Details: Ottawa: Canadian Parliament, 2011. 101p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 5, 2012 at: http://www.parl.gc.ca/Content/SEN/Committee/411/ridr/rep/rep03nov11-e.pdf Year: 2011 Country: Canada URL: http://www.parl.gc.ca/Content/SEN/Committee/411/ridr/rep/rep03nov11-e.pdf Shelf Number: 126560 Keywords: Child PornographyChild ProstitutionChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual Exploitation (Canada) |
Author: Rimer, Jonah Title: Literature Review - Responding to Child & Youth Victims of Sexual Exploitation on the Internet Summary: The sexual exploitation of children on the internet is a pertinent issue that has emerged to the forefront of society since the mainstream popularization of the internet in the mid 1990’s. Sexual exploitation on the internet is a concept encompassing three major forms of maltreatment against children: child pornography; child luring/unwanted sexual solicitation; and child prostitution/child sex tourism. When discussing these forms of abuse, as well as online sexual exploitation in general, there are many facets that must be taken into consideration. These include definitional issues of each form of abuse; characteristics of offenders and victims; the treatment of offenders; issues within law and law enforcement; advances in technology used by victims, perpetrators, and those combating online abuse; discoveries in scientific research that may increase the understanding of online abusers; an exploration of prevention efforts; a discussion of the relationship between child pornography, pedophilia, and contact offenses; and victim issues and responding to the needs of victims. These will be the significant themes and perspectives explored to summarize the key literature on the subject of the exploitation of children and youth on the internet. Details: Toronto: Boost Child Abuse Prevention & Intervention, 2007. 128p. Source: Internet Resource: Prepared for the “Responding to Child & Youth Victims of Sexual Exploitation on the Internet” Training Seminar. September 24th to 27th, 2007. Blue Mountain Resort, Collingwood, Ontario, Canada; Accessed October 9, 2012 at: http://www.boostforkids.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=9o%2BhPW9lg6s%3D&tabid=166 Year: 2007 Country: International URL: http://www.boostforkids.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=9o%2BhPW9lg6s%3D&tabid=166 Shelf Number: 126663 Keywords: Child PornographyChild ProstitutionChild Sex TourismChild Sexual ExploitationComputer CrimesInternet Crimes |
Author: Ospina, Maria Title: Sexual Exploitation of Children and Youth Over the Internet: A Rapid Review of the Scientific Literature Summary: The role of the Internet in the health and wellbeing of children and youth is just beginning to emerge as a priority topic in the public health research agenda. Public policy attention has recently focused on the impact of this medium on the attitudes, behaviour, and health of young people. Among the potential risks, the sexual exploitation and abuse of children and youth over the Internet is of substantial concern. Children and youth can be abused over the Internet in many ways: Internet-initiated grooming for purposes of sexual abuse (that is, online sexual solicitation), the possession, production, and distribution of Internet-based abuse images of children and youth, Internet-based receipt by children and youth of abuse images, and Internet-initiated incitement of or conspiracy to commit sexual abuse of children and youth through activities such as sex tourism and prostitution. These Internet-related sexual exploitation activities directly or indirectly result in offline situations of sexual abuse directed toward children. The need exists to identify the most vulnerable population of children and youth who are at risk of online sexual exploitation over the Internet, and to determine whether prevention and intervention programs for online sexual exploitation have been evaluated in the scientific literature. The objectives of this rapid review were: 1) to provide a descriptive overview and synthesis of information regarding the state of research on the frequency, effects, and risk factors for sexual exploitation of children and youth over the Internet; 2) to identify and evaluate the evidence available in the scientific literature on the assessment tools for children and youth who have been sexually exploited via the Internet; 3) to identify and evaluate the evidence available in the scientific literature on the safety, efficacy, effectiveness, economic, social, legal, or ethical aspects of prevention and therapeutic strategies for sexual exploitation of children and youth via the Internet; and 4) to map the health care, educational, and community resources available in Alberta and Canada regarding Internet safety and prevention of child and youth abuse and exploitation via the Internet. Details: Edmonton, AB, Canada: Institute of Health Economics, 2010. 84p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 9, 2012 at: http://www.ihe.ca/documents/Online%20Sexual%20Exploitation.pdf Year: 2010 Country: International URL: http://www.ihe.ca/documents/Online%20Sexual%20Exploitation.pdf Shelf Number: 126666 Keywords: Child ProstitutionChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual ExploitationComputer CrimesInternet CrimesPornographySex Tourism |
Author: Binazzi Daniel, Alice Title: Sexual Exploitation of Children and Adolescents in Travel and Tourism in the Dominican Republic - An Anthropological Perspective Summary: The present study is part of a reflection of a wider field research work carried out in the Dominican Republic on exploitation phenomena of children and adolescents. This research is based on a three-month field work and on a retrospective ethnography of previously acquired local meanings. The formulated hypothesis was that the eventual existence of stereotypes and discriminations experienced in local society, could lead to the exploitation of children and adolescents. The objective of this study particularly focuses on identifying and interpreting local social norms and cultural flows, involving children and adolescents, which can contribute, together with other root-causes, to the creation of the pre-conditions for sexual exploitation of children and adolescents in prostitution and, in particular, in travel and tourism. Also, a deeper understanding of local cultural flows can strongly support and enhance aid effectiveness. This study has been carried out according to an anthropological approach that intends to go beyond the statistical investigation by sample method and provides an in-depth qualitative analysis. The qualitative analysis of the anthropological approach, through its ethnographic field work, often has the merit of contributing to integrate further quantitative research approaches. Details: Stockholm: Save the Children Sweden, 2011. 22p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 16, 2012 at: http://resourcecentre.savethechildren.se/content/library/documents/sexual-exploitation-children-and-adolescents-travel-and-tourism-dominican- Year: 2011 Country: Dominican Republic URL: http://resourcecentre.savethechildren.se/content/library/documents/sexual-exploitation-children-and-adolescents-travel-and-tourism-dominican- Shelf Number: 126709 Keywords: Child ProstitutionChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual Exploitation (Dominican Republic)Child TraffickingSex Tourism |
Author: Brodie, Isabelle Title: Exploring the Scale and Nature of Child Sexual Exploitation in Scotland Summary: The report provides a summary of known evidence about the scale and nature of child sexual exploitation in Scotland, based on existing statistics and research and workshops with practitioner experts. The study had three aims: to review existing research, policy and practice literature from the UK regarding the scale and nature of child sexual exploitation, and trafficking for sexual exploitation, focusing on Scotland; to review key Scottish statistics regarding the scale and nature of child sexual exploitation in Scotland; and to gather preliminary and exploratory information from key professionals regarding their perceptions of the scale and nature of child sexual exploitation in Scotland. Establishing the prevalence of sexual exploitation is very difficult. The problem is not visible, and its existence is difficult to uncover. Specific problems include: growing but still limited awareness of the issue; differences in the ways in which the issue is defined by young people, parents and carers and professionals; and differences in the way in which policy and practice is developed at local level. UK studies of child sexual exploitation have highlighted a number of difficulties associated with establishing prevalence, including different levels of awareness resulting in varying expertise in identifying the issue and a lack of local scoping exercises. The research evidence indicates vulnerability across a range of deprived groups, including those excluded from school, those looked after and those who are delinquent or gang-involved. Details: Edinburgh: Scottish Government Social Research, 2012. 59p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 26, 2012 at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2012/10/9300 Year: 2012 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2012/10/9300 Shelf Number: 126811 Keywords: Child ProstitutionChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual Exploitation (Scotland)Child Trafficking |
Author: Matthews, Amie Title: Child Safe Tourism: The Tourist Perspective Summary: This report summarises findings from a recent online survey conducted with over 300 international travellers to Cambodia, Lao PDR, Thailand and Vietnam (collectively referred to in this report as ‘the Region’). The survey was conducted to better grasp the sorts of interactions tourists have with children in these countries and to gauge their perceptions of these interactions and of child safe tourism in general. The survey findings show:1 Tourists frequently engage with local children when visiting the Region and are generally happy to do so. While such interactions may be positive experiences for tourists, they can also leave lasting negative impressions in travellers’ minds. For instance, meetings with local children were positively described by those travellers who indicated that they had gained a unique insight into the country or local culture through the children they encountered, who enjoyed talking and playing with local children, or who felt that local children were especially welcoming. On the other hand, when encounters with local children highlighted poverty, their vulnerability, or were perceived as existing within a broader context of abuse or exploitation they were generally described negatively by survey participants. Such experiences not only impacted tourists at an emotional level but in many cases they also appeared to impact their perception of the local culture and destination. Over half (57.1%) of the participants indicated that they had witnessed situations involving the exploitation or abuse of children while travelling in the Region. Respondents described situations where they had come across children selling goods or begging or where they were being used by adults (in some cases their parents) to play on tourist sympathies. They also expressed concern over children not being in school, being forced to perform for tourists, and children being subject to sexual exploitation. 85% of survey participants reported being approached by young people selling souvenirs and 81.2% reported being approached by children or youth (under the age of 18) who were begging. Many survey participants also reported seeing children collecting rubbish (49%), working in a restaurant or hotel (48.5%) and street performing (38%). A significant number also claimed that they had seen children or youth working as tour guides (25.5%) and of most concern, in the sex industry (20.5%). Overwhelmingly all of the participants that discussed witnessing these types of exploitation stated that it made them feel disgusted, sad, concerned or worried, helpless, guilty, angry and/or frustrated. 28.8% of respondents indicated that they thought a combination of all of these exploitative behaviours was either deemed normal by locals, or that locals (including local authorities) turned a blind eye to them. This perception is worrying on multiple fronts. For one thing, it sets an extremely low standard of behaviour for tourists to ascribe to and would likely impact the willingness of travellers to get involved or intervene in suspected cases of child exploitation/abuse. On the other hand, the idea that a community condones or accepts child abuse and exploitation is an extremely negative image for a tourist destination to carry, one which can ultimately be quite damaging to the tourism industry. Abuse and/or exploitation of children in tourism is not tolerated by tourists and it can have significant impacts on the destination images that tourists (and potential tourists) develop. Many survey participants reported having shared their concerns about children in the Region being subjected to exploitation or abuse with friends, family and colleagues at home. A number of respondents also indicated that they had either cut their visit to specific localities short or would not return to some destinations as a result of their exposure to incidents which they believed involved the abuse of children and young people. Subsequently, it is in the best interests of the tourism industry for local and national governments, as well as tourism providers, to continue to address these issues and to ensure children are protected from all forms of abuse in tourism in the Region. 53.2% of participants stated they did not purchase goods/services from children and 78.7% stated that they did not give money to a begging child or youth. This shows that tourists who took part in the survey demonstrated reasonable levels of awareness with regards to the issues attached to children selling goods to tourists or begging. Most frequently the reasons given for avoiding these sorts of exchanges with young people were to discourage unsustainable socio-economic cultures from developing and/or to avoid placing children or young people in ‘at-risk’ situations. Many of the survey participants seemed well educated about the fact that if children are on the streets begging and/or selling they are not likely to go to school and may be left vulnerable to exploitation or abuse. Many also talked about begging as not being an empowering or even likely means for ending the poverty cycle. By way of comparison, a significant number also made reference to what they perceived as better alternatives such as giving money to a local charity or giving the children food instead. Almost half (49.5%) of the respondents felt they had some sort of responsibility for local children and youth when travelling. A number of participants seemed to have clear strategies for dealing with children who were begging or selling goods and services in the Region and many made real efforts to ensure their interactions with children were ethical. A number of participants reported taking very pro-active steps to assist children in need and many survey respondents indicated that they had felt a real desire to help while in the Region. However, even those participants who made clear efforts to help locals (and local children in particular) seemed unsure as to whether their actions had constituted best-practice. Frequently doubts and uncertainties about the best way to engage with children in the Region were expressed. Only 19.5% of survey respondents felt they had enough information to protect local children and youth encountered in public places. Overwhelmingly though, many participants indicated that they wanted to know more about the situation and how they could help. 84.8% of survey participants stated that they would like to know more about how to protect children and prevent exploitation in the Region. Almost the same number of participants said they’d like to know more about local customs, appropriate dress and behaviour (83.3%) and about ways in which tourists could support the local economy (83%). In a similar vein, when asked whether a business’ policy to protect children would influence their purchase habits 94.8% of participants said that it would. Details: Melbourne: World Vision Australia, 2012. 42p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 29, 2012 at: http://beta.wvi.org/sites/default/files/Child_Safe_Tourism_eBook_Nov%202012.pdf Year: 2012 Country: Cambodia URL: http://beta.wvi.org/sites/default/files/Child_Safe_Tourism_eBook_Nov%202012.pdf Shelf Number: 127036 Keywords: Child ProstitutionChild ProtectionChild Sexual ExploitationStreet BeggingStreet ChildrenTourism (Cambodia) |
Author: Lynch, Darlene C. Title: Improving Offender Accountability in CSEC Cases: Tools for Investigating and Prosecuting Adult Exploiters Summary: Hundreds of children are commercially sexually exploited through prostitution in Georgia every month. Atlanta is a hub for this activity and has been identified by federal law enforcement officials as one of the fourteen U.S. cities with the highest rates of child prostitution. However, the problem is not confined to the Atlanta area; children are being commercially sexually exploited throughout the state. Ending the commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC) cannot be accomplished simply by providing services for children who have already been victimized. Those who break the laws designed to protect our children must also be held accountable, and prosecutors play a special role in providing that accountability. This toolkit, which was developed through interviews with current and former prosecutors, conversations with subject matter experts, and academic research, is intended to assist you in building successful prosecutions that will take offenders off the streets, protect our children, and send a strong message that Georgia takes these crimes seriously. This toolkit includes the following sections: • Building Your Case: Tools for Obtaining Useful Evidence (starting at page 3) • Educating the Jury: Tools to Help the Jury Understand CSEC and Its Victims (starting at page 10) • Bringing a Victim-Centered Case: Tools for Protecting the Child During CSEC Prosecutions (starting at page 17) • Appendices Details: Atlanta, GA: Barton Child Law and Policy Center, Emory University School of Law, 2012. 33p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed December 1, 2012 at: http://children.georgia.gov/sites/children.georgia.gov/files/imported/vgn/images/portal/cit_1210/28/15/165704513CSECProsecutorsGuide_final.pdf Year: 2012 Country: United States URL: http://children.georgia.gov/sites/children.georgia.gov/files/imported/vgn/images/portal/cit_1210/28/15/165704513CSECProsecutorsGuide_final.pdf Shelf Number: 127083 Keywords: Child ProstitutionChild Sexual Exploitation (Georgia, U.S.) |
Author: Von Gyer, Judith Title: Situation Analysis of Paedophilia in Sihanouk Ville: Study of Perceived Demand for Child Sex in Sihanouk Ville Summary: This research had a perception based focus. It was initiated to establish the perceived demand for child sex in Sihanouk Ville. These insights were sought from tourists, sex tourists and business owners in the area. This was to include; budget travellers, mid-range and higher range tourists and a variety of businesses, both locally and foreign owned. A lacuna was found in existing research as no previous study had been instigated with this aim. Only one prior research was found and this was directed at ascertaining community attitudes on paedophilia, definitions of paedophilia and risk factors involved for potential child sex offenders. Cambodia has an international reputation for attracting child sex tourists and it was anticipated that this study would contribute to understanding the reasons behind this perception. It was concluded that they were primarily lax law enforcement, secondly the availability of and ease of access to children and thirdly, poverty. The aim of the research was to make recommendations for further action if it was felt to be necessary. The qualitative aspect of the research proved more persuasive than the quantitative content of the study and revealed that most of the respondents did not hold the view of paedophilia being a large and present problem in Sihanouk Ville but that instances of it have taken place. Most business owners had experiences of witnessing it in some form or another but still did not view it as a problem. A small minority believed that not only did the problem exist, it was extremely prevalent in the area. A ubiquitous response among the respondents was the presence of a large domestic and inter-Asian paedophile consumer base. The view was held that this group of people were responsible for a much more significant part of the offences committed and were operating largely in an environment of impunity whilst not being targeted in campaigns. It was felt that the poster campaigns whilst effective in drawing attention to the issue, were not effective in deterring potential paedophiles and served also to create an image of Cambodia and Sihanouk Ville that was not entirely accurate. Additionally, there was a distinct feeling of a lack of confidence in authority and a lack of clear options to pursue if someone suspected or witnessed paedophilia. As part of the qualitative stage, two male Italian researchers disguised as paedophiles visited several bars and brothels enquiring about the availability of chid sex. Young girls were offered to them with one presumed to be as young as 10 or 11 years old. There was a widespread belief in the role of motodup drivers as facilitators in accessing children for foreign paedophiles and this was corroborated during the research conducted by the two Italians. Young boys, on the other hand, were acquired directly from the beach or in town and were drug reliant (gluesniffers). Views from travel agents in Hong Kong were gathered with the conclusion that Sihanouk Ville is not generally a destination that is marketed by them but that a perception of Cambodia as a whole attracting child sex tourists does exist. There would however be an interest in marketing Sihanouk Ville if infrastructures were put in place and if the Cambodian government were willing to invest in cleaning up its image. The quantitative aspect of the research was not as compelling, largely due to the small sample sizes. This was particularly true for several questions which required responses only from those who believed paedophilia to be a problem in the area. 25% of the 48 respondents believed this to be the case. Whilst not a convincing majority, it nevertheless highlighted the fact that a problem does exist in the area but that there is no real urgency in taking further action at present. The situation should however be monitored closely, especially with the large scale developments that are currently underway in Sihanouk Ville. It was also concluded that most tourists would not return to Sihanouk Ville were it to gain a reputation for attracting child sex tourists. Most businesses would accept some level of responsibility in tackling this issue but the exact parameters and content of such were not discussed. They felt that the main responsibility lay with the Cambodian government as the entity which could tackle the issue of nonenforceability most effectively. This research was carried out in the low season which may have served to hinder results. It is suggested that this survey be repeated during the peak months to engage a larger sample of tourists and also to survey the area when it is busier and possibly easier for potential paedophiles to remain anonymous. Children should also be consulted in the survey process as the ones who are the best source of information on this issue. Additionally, it would be interesting and useful to find out if there is any correlation between drug use among young children and paedophilia as it has been noted that children will themselves seek alternative methods of acquiring income by approaching potential paedophiles. This is particularly true as they move onto more expensive drugs. No access was granted to the only high end tourist resort in Sihanouk Ville which could have proven useful in terms of determining how the area was marketed to them and what perceptions this group of more economically buoyant tourists held both before and during their visit to the area. The willingness of businesses to get involved should be utilised and built upon. A coherent course of action is needed if there are suspicions about a certain individual. As things stand now, there is little confidence in the options currently available. The lack of enforcement needs to be addressed as this is perhaps the most important tool in reducing this image of impunity and, in turn, the number of child sex tourists. Details: Phnom Penh, Cambodia: Village Focus International, 2005. 56p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed December 1, 2012 at: http://www.cosecam.org/publications/situation_analysis_of_paedophilia_in_sihanouk_ville_eng.pdf Year: 2005 Country: Cambodia URL: http://www.cosecam.org/publications/situation_analysis_of_paedophilia_in_sihanouk_ville_eng.pdf Shelf Number: 127084 Keywords: Child ProstitutionChild Sex Tourism (Cambodia)Child Sexual ExploitationPedophiliaSex Offenders |
Author: Shared Hope International Title: The Protected Innocence Challenge: State Report Cards on the Legal Framework of Protection for the Nation’s Children Summary: Sweeping national legislative advancements proved successful for Louisiana, Florida and Georgia who will join the ranks of Illinois, Missouri, Texas and Washington in leading the nation with laws that provide protection and justice to child victims of domestic minor sex trafficking, according to research released Nov. 29, 2012 by Shared Hope International. Recent findings from the 2012 Protected Innocence Challenge Report, the first comprehensive study on state child sex trafficking laws, show 15 states have raised their grades by enacting legislation that strengthened laws that impact or relate to domestic minor sex trafficking. In addition to the seven leading states listed above that scored a “B” on the 2012 report, nine states earned a “C,” compared to only six in 2011. In 2012, 35 states received grades of “D” or lower, including 18 failing grades— a significant improvement from the 2011 scores with 41 states receiving a grade of “D” or lower and 26 failing states. Every year in the United States, experts estimate at least 100,000 children are exploited in the U.S. commercial sex industry. The average age a child is first exploited through prostitution is 13 years old. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS 1. 15 states improved their grades from 2011 2 states went up two grades: AK and MA went from F to C 13 states went up one grade 3 new “B” states: LA, FL, GA 6 new “C” states: AK, IN, MA, OH, OK, WI 6 new “D” states: CO, MD, NE, NV, SC, UT 2. 7 states improved their Protected Innocence Challenge scores by 10+ points MA went up 29.5 pts WV went up 21 pts LA went up 17 pts SC went up 17 pts AK went up 14.5 pts OH went up 12 pts WI went up 10 pts 3. States were scored based on six categories of law. Scores by area of law – states have achieved perfect scores in sections 1 and 6, with “near perfect” scores in the other areas of law: Section 1 (Criminalization of Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking): IL and TX have perfect scores (10 points possible) Section 2 (Criminal Provisions Addressing Demand): LA now has a “near perfect” score with 24.5 points (25 points possible) Section 3 (Criminal Provisions for Traffickers): MS, KY, FL and AL have a “near perfect” score with 14.5 points (15 points possible) Section 4 (Criminal Provisions for Facilitators): LA and WA have a “near perfect” score with 9.5 points (10 points possible) Section 5 (Protected Provisions for Child Victims): IL is the closest to a “near perfect” score with 24.5 points (27.5 points possible) Section 6 (Criminal Justice Tools for Investigation and Prosecution): AL, MN, OH and TX have perfect scores (15 points possible) 4. Most Improved = MA 5. Highest Score = LA 6. Worst score = WY GRADES: B (7) – FL, GA, IL, LA, MO, TX, WA C (9) – AK, AZ, IN, MA, MN, OH, OK, TN, WI D (17) – AL, CO, DE, IA, KY, MD, MS, NE, NJ, NV, NY, NC, OR, RI, SC, UT, VT F (18) – AR, CA, CT, DC, HI, ID, KS, ME, MI, MT, NH, NM, ND, PA, SD, VA, WV, WY 2012 Legislative Progress: One year after the release of the 2011 Protected Innocence Challenge:* 240 state and 38 federal bills were introduced that relate to domestic minor sex trafficking. 78 laws were passed that relate to domestic minor sex trafficking. 40 states had legislation introduced that relates to the Protected Innocence Framework. 33 states enacted legislation related to the Protected Innocence Framework. Details: Vancouver, WA: Shared Hope International, 2012. 211p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed December 1, 2012 at: http://sharedhope.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/PIC_ChallengeReport_2011.pdf Year: 2012 Country: United States URL: http://sharedhope.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/PIC_ChallengeReport_2011.pdf Shelf Number: 127095 Keywords: Child ProstitutionChild Sex TraffickingChild TraffickingHuman Trafficking (U.S.)Sexual Exploitation |
Author: Minnesota. Department of Public Safety. Office of Justice Programs Title: No Wrong Door: A Comprehensive Approach to Safe Harbor for Sexually Exploited Youth. Summary: Juvenile victims of sexual exploitation are the focus of a recent model aimed at ensuring they are indentified, receive effective services and are housed safely, according to Minnesota Department of Public Safety Office of Justice Programs (OJP). The model is highlighted in the recently released report No Wrong Door: A Comprehensive Approach to Safe Harbor for Sexually Exploited Youth. The model features 11 recommendations from 65 stakeholders, including representatives from The Family Partnership—an organization that strives to build strong families, communities and better futures for children through counseling, education programs and advocacy. Recommendations include: 1.Creating a statewide human trafficking director position. This full-time position with the Department of Health would be responsible for coordinating trainings, and collecting and disseminating information on sexual exploitation and services across the state as a resource to stakeholders. 2.Creating six regional navigator positions. These grant-funded positions would serve as experts in their region of the state and a resource to professionals needing information on how to work with juvenile sex trafficking victims. 3.Providing comprehensive training on juvenile sexual exploitation. Training on how to recognize, screen, refer and investigate sexual exploitation would be available to professionals who come into contact with youth. 4.Ensuring effective outreach to youth. Outreach efforts would be made to sexually exploited youth to connect them with services and support. 5.Supporting coordinated law enforcement investigations across Minnesota. Law enforcement would increase their ability to effectively conduct victim-centered investigations focused on arresting traffickers and commercial sex abusers. 6.Providing appropriate, effective diversion opportunities to youth ages 16 and 17. Law enforcement and county attorneys would divert victimized youth as a means of keeping them from becoming more deeply involved in the juvenile justice system. 7.Modifying the Juvenile Protection Hold Statute to meet the needs of sexually exploited youth. This modification would ensure that sexually exploited youth being held by law enforcement would be placed in the least restrictive setting possible. 8.Ensuring access to safe and supportive housing. Four types of shelter and housing services would be available specifically for sexually exploited youth across Minnesota to meet the different needs of youth. 9.Providing appropriate and accessible supportive services to sexually exploited youth. They would have access to several types of trauma-informed, victim-centered services including advocacy, health care, education and employment. 10.Supporting efforts to prevent the sexual exploitation of youth. Prevention activities would be undertaken to address the environmental, organizational and cultural norms that allow for the sexual exploitation of youth. 11.Conducting comprehensive evaluation to ensure the No Wrong Door Model is an effective model of intervention. Safe Harbor for Sexually Exploited Youth Law The creation of the No Wrong Door Model is one of five provisions included in Minnesota’s Safe Harbor for Sexually Exploited Youth Law. Passed in July 2011, the law affirms Minnesota’s recognition that it is a best practice to treat sexually exploited children and those at risk for exploitation as victims rather than as juvenile delinquents. The legislation also ensures that those who purchase juveniles for sex are held accountable, and that there is a system of response in place to move victims of sexual exploitation toward recovery and healing. In addition to development of a victim-centered response model, provisions of the law: •Define sexually exploited youth in Minnesota’s child protection statutes/laws (effective Aug. 1, 2011). •Increase the penalty against commercial sex abusers (effective Aug. 1, 2011). •Exclude sexually exploited youth under the age of 16 from the definition of a delinquent child (effective Aug. 1, 2014). •Create a mandatory first-time diversion for any 16 and 17 year old who has been exploited in prostitution (effective Aug. 1, 2014). Details: St. Paul: Minnesota Department of Public Safety. Office of Justice Programs, 2013. 38p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 18, 2013 at: https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/ojp/forms-documents/Documents/!2012%20Safe%20Harbor%20Report%20(FINAL).pdf Year: 2013 Country: United States URL: https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/ojp/forms-documents/Documents/!2012%20Safe%20Harbor%20Report%20(FINAL).pdf Shelf Number: 127999 Keywords: Child ProstitutionChild Sex TraffickingChild Sexual Abuse (Minnesota, U.S.)Child Sexual ExploitationHuman Trafficking |
Author: San Patten and Associates Title: Building a Calgary Community Response for Children, Youth, and Adults Involved in the Sex Trade/Sexual Exploitation Trade. Project Report Summary: In fall 2006, the United Way of Calgary brought together a variety of stakeholders to develop a Coordinated Community Response Plan to the Sex Trade in Calgary. Subsequently, San Patten and Associates1 were contracted to lead the research and writing of the Community Response Plan. This project is strategically positioned under the United Way’s Safety from Violence portfolio within the current “People Living in Vulnerable Situations” community impact plan. The development of a coordinated response for people involved in the sex trade in Calgary and area builds on new and existing partnerships and collaborations amongst a wide variety of stakeholders, including several levels of government, non-governmental agencies, academic researchers, and clients. Though this project was initiated in part to address the closure of the Stepping Out Program, it is expected that Community Response Plan will also inform future programming efforts in Calgary to help address the diverse needs of individuals involved in, or impacted by, the sex trade. While valuable research has been conducted on specific elements of the sex trade in Calgary, limited research has been conducted about the broad context of the sex trade and the full continuum of programs and policies that impinge on the sex trade. Our consultation with a broad range of stakeholders, supplemented by research from across Canada and other countries, indicates that there are several factors that are integral to prevention efforts, supporting people in the sex trade, and helping them to transition out of it. 1.1 Purpose The purpose of this project is to build a coordinated response for people who are involved in the sex trade/sexual exploitation trade in Calgary and area. More specifically, this project aimed to gather and document the perspectives of a broad range of stakeholders (including community based organizations, government, researchers and individuals currently or previously involved in the sex trade) about the current context of sex trade work and sexual exploitation in Calgary. In addition, this project included a scan of the current program and policy environment with respect to the sex trade in Calgary. This data gathering was completed to identify appropriate responses to the needs of individuals involved in the sex trade, and to identify possible future program and policy directions for the city of Calgary to meet the diverse and complex needs of individuals involved in the sex trade and those who are sexually exploited. Details: Halifax, Nova Scotia: San Patten and Associates, 2007. 114p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 20, 2013 at: http://www.sanpatten.com/Project%20Report.pdf Year: 2007 Country: Canada URL: http://www.sanpatten.com/Project%20Report.pdf Shelf Number: 128017 Keywords: Child ProstitutionHuman TraffickingProstitutionSex TraffickingSex WorkersSexual Exploitation (Canada) |
Author: Simpson, Brenda Title: Changing Perspectives - Calgary Network on Prostitution -- Environmental Scan. Final Report Summary: The Calgary Network on Prostitution (CNOP) was formed in 2007 to address service planning and coordination as a response to the United Way of Calgary’s Coordinated Community Response Plan to the Sex Trade in Calgary. CNOP is a group of agency and consumer representatives interested in improving services and service systems related to prostitution. The Network vision is “to recognize the harm caused by prostitution to all individuals, to end prostitution and /or exploitation, to support individual human rights, and to strengthen and streamline partnerships.” In order to address this vision, the Network plans to raise awareness of the issue and to empower and advocate for programs and individuals working with and affected by prostitution. In particular the Network wants to: 1) address the root causes, policies and systems that harm communities and individuals 2) strengthen and sustain partnerships within the community 3) promote responsibility and apply a human rights based approach. The environmental scan contains information on • Prostitution in Calgary • Feedback from sex trade workers, sexually exploited individuals and those who have exited the trade regarding their experiences • An overview of services in Calgary for those working in the sex trade and/or trying to exit the sex trade • An overview of supportive services in Calgary not specifically targeted to sex trade workers but generically available to address some of the specific needs identified by individuals working in the sex trade (e.g. health, emergency housing, addictions treatment, counseling, basic needs, legal services) • An overview of services and strategies to protect children at risk of sexual exploitation (i.e. individuals under the age of 18 who are involved or at risk of being involved in sex trade activity • An overview of prevention strategies in Calgary • Feedback from Calgary service providers regarding their perception of services and strategies needed to support sex trade workers, both active and exiting • Perspectives from several Calgary communities with identified prostitution strolls • Recommendations for service development. Details: Calgary, AB, Canada: Brenda Simpson, 2009. 71p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 20, 2013 at: http://bsimpson.ca/reports/sexual_exploitation/environmental_scan_2009.pdf Year: 2009 Country: Canada URL: http://bsimpson.ca/reports/sexual_exploitation/environmental_scan_2009.pdf Shelf Number: 128018 Keywords: Child ProstitutionProstitution (Canada)Sex WorkersSexual Exploitation |
Author: Piening, Suzanne Title: From “The Life” to My Life: Sexually Exploited Children Reclaiming Their Futures. Suffolk County Massachusetts’ Response to Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC) Summary: The commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC) is a crime of systemized brutality and sexual assault that is deliberately waged on children with prior histories of neglect, abuse, isolation and vulnerability. In recent years, hundreds of girls in the Boston area have been drawn into “the life” of commercial sexual exploitation; countless others remain at risk. These child victims are typically groomed by their exploiters with initial promises of the love and protection that they so deeply crave. Over time, through an incremental process of isolation and abuse, this child becomes the dehumanized possession of her exploiter; repeatedly assaulted physically, sexually and emotionally for her exploiter’s economic gain. This report describes efforts in Suffolk County to identify high risk and sexually exploited children and to provide a path to safety and recovery. Based on interviews and focus groups with professionals from the Boston area’s 35+ agency Support to End Exploitation Now (SEEN) Coalition, this report profiles the problem of CSEC in Suffolk County and describes service models and legislation that are having a positive impact. In addition, it outlines recommendations for continued development, expansion and coordination of these efforts, and the undeniable fiscal constraints that must be surmounted in order for these improvements to be realized. Details: Boston: Children's Advocacy Center of Suffolk County, 2012. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 4, 2013 at: http://www.suffolkcac.org/assets/pdf/From_the_Life_to_My_Life_Suffolk_Countys_Response_to_CSEC_June_2012.pdf Year: 2012 Country: United States URL: http://www.suffolkcac.org/assets/pdf/From_the_Life_to_My_Life_Suffolk_Countys_Response_to_CSEC_June_2012.pdf Shelf Number: 128655 Keywords: Child ProstitutionChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual Exploitation (U.S.) |
Author: d’Adesky, Anne-Christine Title: Beyond Shock: Charting the landscape of sexual violence in post-quake Haiti: Progress, Challenges & Emerging Trends 2010-2012 Summary: Beyond Shock provides a comprehensive report about the broad and sectorial field progress made by frontline providers of services to sexual violence survivors since Haiti’s historic January 2010 earthquake. The report also looks at the shifting landscape of actors, both established and new, Haitian and foreign, who have raced to respond to the crisis. It highlights groups, individuals, programs, and approaches that are making a difference in the field and captures emergent trends in this landscape. It offers hope for the future while revealing a very difficult situation in the present. A major focus of the report is an examination of access to holistic services for victims. Beyond Shock examines progress in the areas of security, housing, reporting, research, post-quake health care, legal justice, prevention, education, advocacy, and the impact on vulnerable populations, as well as the role of men and boys, and what has been learned about perpetrators. Beyond Shock addresses the big-picture questions many have asked since the flurry of news reports about rape in Haiti in early 2010. How bad is the problem of sexual violence in Haiti and how is it changing? Has the situation improved? How do we measure this progress? The report both confirms and challenges prior findings on gender-based violence (GBV) and rape in Haiti. It reveals that less than 1% of international bank funding has been dedicated to fighting sexual violence, limiting an otherwise robust and expanding effort by grassroots groups and Haiti's government to fight gender-based violence. It reveals specific gender aftershocks, including a post-quake wave of early unwanted pregnancy, and subsequent abortions, in adolescents linked to sexual violence and survival sex – that have been overlooked by the media and relief groups. The report identifies youth and economic vulnerability, along with gender, as the broad risk factors for sexual violence. Specific factors include lack of housing for women-headed households and poor families with adolescent girls, lack of safe housing for GBV victims, rising food insecurity, and a 2012 surge in urban violent crime and gang activity – all reflections of a worsening economic picture that impacts on both genders and is a key engine of sexual violence. The economic situation has been exacerbated by chronic natural disasters, including hurricanes Sandy and Isaac, and a cholera epidemic. Beyond Shock documents how Haitian civil society has coped and led despite herculean obstacles. The report offers a portrait of the rebuilding of Haiti’s feminist movement and profiles grassroots women’s and GBV leaders that provide a range of voices, perspectives, and reflections on the post-quake period. Report Team: Beyond Shock was produced by Haitian and US members of the PotoFanm+Fi coalition, a post-quake advocacy group that champions Haitian women’s voices, leadership, and recovery in Haiti. The report was coordinated and written by veteran journalist and author Anne-christine d’Adesky, who has family roots in Haiti. She was assisted by Haitian journalists and local partners of PotoFanm+Fi. A number of Haitian scholars and professionals in technical sectors provided expert review of the report. Haitian author Edwidge Danticat wrote the foreword to the report. Photographer Nadia Todres contributed a special photo essay about Girls in Haiti’s camps. PotoFi Survey: Beyond Shock builds upon new research on sexual violence and pregnancy in over 2000 Haitian adolescents and families by PotoFanm+Fi’s pilot PotoFi Haiti Girls Initiative (“PotoFi”), a parallel participatory field research project begun in October 2011 with seven main Haitian local partners in the Port-au-Prince and Jacmel zones. Details: Haiti: PotoFanm+Fi, 2012. 228p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 25, 2013 at: http://potofi.files.wordpress.com/2012/12/beyond-shock-abridged-version-haiti-gbv-progress-report-nov-2012.pdf Year: 2012 Country: Haiti URL: http://potofi.files.wordpress.com/2012/12/beyond-shock-abridged-version-haiti-gbv-progress-report-nov-2012.pdf Shelf Number: 128829 Keywords: Child ProstitutionChild RapeChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual Violence (Haiti) |
Author: Banerjee, Paramita Title: Where Have All the Flowers Gone? An Evidence-Based Research Into Sex Trafficking of Girls Summary: Is human trafficking an issue of crime or development? Most would argue – both. Domestic and international legal instruments define it as a trans-national organised crime, in recognition of the complex criminal nexus that is involved in profiteering from it. Many argue that defining trafficking as a crime alone is a blinkered approach, whereby the context of victims of trafficking, context of socio-economic and political forces that creates vulnerability for victims are ignored, reparation is substituted by prosecution alone. And therefore, rather than welfare, policing has become the centre-stage of action. The focus on the developmental context and responsive welfare measures has taken a backseat. This research draws its learnings from the implementation of an anti-trafficking case management programme – the objectives of which are to identify cases of children disconnected from their families and assist families to recover traces of their missing children. This programme shows that if the assistance begins from the source areas/ victims’ homes, then victims are often recovered even before they are sold off into brothels; traffickers in the source areas (first procurers) can be arrested and evidence from destination points can be used to strengthen the case against the first procurers. And this has a significant impact on prevention – because the crime gets visibilised to the community at large. But, project implementation experiences also showed that survivors’ contexts (family, community and the context of rural India at large) were desperate and gloomy. And there is very little attention paid to this context – so, even after all the ‘assistance’ of recovering prostituted girls and women, the context they were returning to raises serious questions in the wisdom of survivors returning to situations of deprivation and abuse. And therefore, it seemed necessary to learn, from these experiences, more closely, more in detail, on what is not working, what interventions seem to create dents in the system and could be scaled up and learn, from the researchers’ perspectives, what are the questions that are to be asked for its answers to be found. This research, in its present form, should be useful for development practitioners at national and international levels, researchers and academics and policy makers and influencers. In particular, this research should influence welfare policies targeting the poor in India, adolescents and children in particular, with a bias towards girls and women. Details: West Bengal, India: Sanjog, 2010. 84p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed July 13, 2013 at: http://lastradainternational.org/lsidocs/where%20have%20all%20the%20flowers%20gone.pdf Year: 2010 Country: India URL: http://lastradainternational.org/lsidocs/where%20have%20all%20the%20flowers%20gone.pdf Shelf Number: 129395 Keywords: Child PornographyChild ProstitutionChild Sex TraffickingHuman Trafficking |
Author: Smeaton, Emilie Title: Running from hate to what you think is love: The relationship between running away and child sexual exploitation Summary: Since the 1990s research focused on running away, child sexual exploitation (CSE) and youth homelessness has documented that an intrinsic relationship exists between running away and CSE. A review of this research literature (Smeaton, 2011)1 reveals that: - None of the research projects addressing running away have explored the issue of CSE in depth. A 2009 study (Smeaton, 2009) exploring the experiences of particularly vulnerable and marginalised young people who become detached from parents and carers for four weeks or more offers the most in-depth exploration of the relationship between running away and CSE. However, these findings cannot be applied to all young people who run away. - While sexual exploitation is experienced by some children and young people who run away, research findings suggest that the majority of young runaways do not experience CSE. - The limited evidence relating to practice responses to young people who run away suggest that, while there are examples of good practice, because of the challenges involved in working with young people who experience both running away and CSE, it can be difficult to achieve positive outcomes. - Previous research has started to explore the relationship between running away and CSE but there is need for research that explicitly explores this relationship. In recognition of this gap in learning, Barnardo's and Paradigm Research developed a proposal to undertake an action research study to address the relationship between running away and CSE in England, which was funded by Comic Relief. This report presents our findings. Details: Ilford, UK: Barnardos, 2013. 63p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed July 23, 2013 at: http://www.barnardos.org.uk/15505_cse_running_from_hate_2l_web.pdf Year: 2013 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.barnardos.org.uk/15505_cse_running_from_hate_2l_web.pdf Shelf Number: 129497 Keywords: Child ProstitutionChild Sexual ExploitationRunaways (U.K.) |
Author: Koren, Elaine Title: Travelling Child Sex Offenders: Annotated Bibliography Summary: This annotated bibliography is based on a literature review using open source, academic and grey literature reviewing existing promising practices of preventing travelling child sex offenders (TCSOs) and their related activities. Its focus is to identify relevant research that could identify issues from the literature relating to promising practices to address this phenomenon, lessons learned, and trends. The paper uses explicit criterion, limiting hidden biases and assumptions, and enabling replication of the research by others. Details: Ottawa: Public Safety Canada, 2013. 62p. Source: Internet Resource: RDIMS# 782503: Accessed October 28, 2013 at: Year: 2013 Country: International URL: http://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/lbrr/archives/cn63313486-eng.pdf Shelf Number: 131401 Keywords: Child ProstitutionChild Sex Offenders Child Sex Tourism Child Sexual Exploitation Sex Offenders |
Author: Walts, Katherine Kaufka Title: Legal Services Assessment for Trafficked Children: Cook County, Illinois Case Study Summary: Child trafficking is one of the most disturbing human rights abuses of our time, involving cases of boys and girls exploited for labor and/or commercial sexual services. These children may suffer physical, sexual, and emotional violence at the hands of traffickers, who can be pimps, employers, and even family members. Trafficking schemes may involve various forms of force, fraud, and coercion, which can be physical and/or psychological in nature. Current research indicates that legal services are a critical component of a comprehensive service delivery model for victims of human trafficking and a realization of human rights. However, little to no effort has been made to identify the various legal needs of child trafficking victims, a particularly vulnerable population. In February 2012, the Center for the Human Rights of Children (CHRC) initiated a legal needs assessment project for child trafficking victims, using Cook County Illinois as a case study. The project identified: - Existing service providers working with both US citizen and foreign national child trafficking survivors - The legal needs of trafficked children - Current legal services available to this population - Gaps in those services in Cook County We chose Cook County as a case study for several reasons. It is the second most populous county in the nation, and houses the city of Chicago, which has been recognized as one several human trafficking hubs across the United States., Cook County has an established community of service providers and advocacy organizations working with survivors of human trafficking in various capacities, and two task forces. The project also included a preliminary assessment of legal services for child trafficking victims offered by organizations around the country as a comparison to the results of our research in Cook County. Select Findings - Child trafficking victims have various legal needs across multiple legal systems, including (but not limited to) criminal justice, juvenile justice, immigration, labor, civil, child welfare, family, and education. - While 85% of survey respondents believed access to competent legal services is critical in leading to positive outcomes for child trafficking victims, less than 10% believed that the legal needs of child trafficking victims in Cook County were being fully met. - Interdisciplinary collaboration between legal and nonlegal service providers is a critical component of any service delivery model for trafficking victims. - There are considerable systemic barriers to ensuring that child trafficking victims receive appropriate legal services and protections, including limited organizational capacity and training, financial and personnel resources, and lack of data and research: - The definition of child trafficking is confusing and sometimes controversial. Many child serving agencies are not aware of federal and/or state definitions of child trafficking. Some organizations have misconceptions about the legal statutory framework, or believe it negatively impacts their clients. This impacts identification of new cases and referrals to appropriate legal service providers. - Child trafficking cases are often very complex and resource intensive. Providing services is becoming more challenging with the narrowing of both federal and state budgets, restricting access to critical services across all sectors. - Service providers who first identify children as victims may not be equipped to identify all relevant needs (e.g., legal, psychological, social). This is true even amongst legal service providers who may specialize in a particular area of the law, and are unable to identify other legal needs. - There are no standardized mechanisms for data collection and research. Only a few organizations have begun to collect data on child trafficking. Existing data on human trafficking often does not disaggregate adults from minors. Details: Chicago: Center for the Human Rights of Children, Loyola University Chicago, 2013. 71p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 11, 2013 at: http://www.luc.edu/media/lucedu/chrc/LegalServicesAssess_TraffickedChildren_2013_CHRC_Final.pdf Year: 2013 Country: United States URL: http://www.luc.edu/media/lucedu/chrc/LegalServicesAssess_TraffickedChildren_2013_CHRC_Final.pdf Shelf Number: 131615 Keywords: Child LaborChild ProstitutionChild ProtectionChild Sexual ExploitationChild TraffickingHuman Trafficking |
Author: Beckett, Helen Title: Tackling Child Sexual Exploitation: A Study of Current Practice in London Summary: In autumn 2013, London Councils and the London Safeguarding Children Board commissioned a team of researchers from the University of Bedfordshire to map current responses to child sexual exploitation (CSE) across London. The study was conducted in October/November 2013. The findings are drawn from an in-depth quantitative survey (completed by 30 London boroughs and local safeguarding children boards) and eight semi-structured interviews with statutory and voluntary sector providers. The report provides a snapshot of current responses to CSE across London, in relation to: - Local scoping of the issue; - Local policies and procedures; - Training and awareness raising; - Identification and early intervention (re. victims and perpetrators); - Responding to cases of CSE (re. victims and perpetrators); and - Overarching reflections on progress and challenges. Although there is still much progress to be made, the report encouragingly demonstrates that significant work is underway. Details: London: London Councils, 2014. 62p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 19, 2014 at: http://www.londoncouncils.gov.uk/policylobbying/children/safeguardingchildren/csefinalandsummaryreports.htm Year: 2014 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.londoncouncils.gov.uk/policylobbying/children/safeguardingchildren/csefinalandsummaryreports.htm Shelf Number: 132067 Keywords: Child ProstitutionChild ProtectionChild Sexual Exploitation |
Author: Friedman, Sara Ann Title: And Boys Too: An ECPAT-USA discussion paper about the lack of recognition of the commercial sexual exploitation of boys in the United States Summary: The long-existing commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC) in the United States began to gain attention after the enactment of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (TVPA) and its reauthorizations in 2003, 2005, 2008 and 2013. During this period, nearly all the attention of state and local governments, law enforcement, and service providers has been focused on sexually exploited adolescent girls. While there has been some increased awareness about sexually exploited boys in the U.S. over the past several years, most law enforcement and services providers often miss them entirely or view them as too few to be counted or not in need of services. The little notice given to boys primarily identifies them as exploiters, pimps and buyers of sex, or as active and willing participants in sex work, not as victims or survivors of exploitation.1 Discussion of boys as victims or survivors of CSEC is frequently appended to a discussion about commercially sexually exploited girls. A panel discussion about commercial sexual exploitation often ends with these words: "...and boys too." While awareness of commercial sexual exploitation of boys (CSEB) has paled next to that of commercial sexual exploitation of girls (CSEG), two important studies in the past 12 years, The Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children in the U.S., Canada and Mexico by Estes and Weiner (2001) and The Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children in New York City by Curtis et al. (2008), have estimated that high percentages of commercially sexually exploited children in the U.S. are boys. In order to examine why CSEB receive much less attention and to question the widespread popular assumptions that they are willing participants or even exploiters and not victims, ECPAT-USA has carried out a study to examine available information about CSEB, their participation in CSEC, and services available to them. The study conducted a number of desk reviews that were supplemented by interviews with 40 key service providers and youth agencies. The research explored several questions relating to the existence and circumstances of CSEB: Do they exist? What are their backgrounds? Who are their exploiters? At what age are they exploited? What are their needs and what services are available to meet those needs? Although many of the answers were inconclusive, severalclear findings and messages stood out. Most significantly, responses from service providers clearly indicate that the scope of CSEB is vastly under reported, that commercial sexual exploitation poses very significant risks to their health and their lives; that gay and transgenders are over-represented as a proportion of the sexually exploited boys; and that there is a shortage of services for these boys. The fact that boys and young men may be less likely to be pimped or trafficked highlights the fact that even if there is no third party involved in the commercial transaction, "buyers/exploiters" of sexually exploited children should be prosecuted under anti-trafficking statutes. Based on our research and responses from service providers, ECPAT-USA proposes a number of recommendations. Two immediate needs are clear: first, to raise awareness about the scope of CSEB and second, to expand research about which boys are vulnerable to sexual exploitation and how to meet their needs. Details: Brooklyn, NY: ECPAT-USA, 2013. 20p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 8, 2014 at: https://static.mopro.com/00028B1B-B0DB-4FCD-A991-219527535DAB/1b1293ef-1524-4f2c-b148-91db11379d11.pdf Year: 2013 Country: United States URL: https://static.mopro.com/00028B1B-B0DB-4FCD-A991-219527535DAB/1b1293ef-1524-4f2c-b148-91db11379d11.pdf Shelf Number: 132291 Keywords: Child ProstitutionChild Sex AbuseChild Sexual ExploitationMale Victims |
Author: Terre des hommes Title: Fullscreen on View: An exploratory study on the background and psychosocial consequences of webcam child sex tourism in the Philippines Summary: In recent years Terre des Hommes Netherlands observed the steady rise of a new form of child sexual exploitation. One that is enabled and fuelled by rapid technological advances, increasing global connectivity, persisting poverty rates, and growing disparity in the global distribution of resources. Terre des Hommes Netherlands received alarming signals from collaborating project partners from the Philippines that new commercial child exploitation trades are evolving and spreading parallel to rising global Internet access rates and developments in communications technology. In child prostitution 'hotspots', like Cebu City in the Philippines, various forms of commercial child exploitation shifted from offline to online, making child abuse material more accessible and more anonymously consumable for a larger number of offenders around the world. Terre des Hommes Netherlands' project partners reported a shift in child prostitution from the streets, bars, restaurants and other public places to hidden venues where children are engaged in sexual interactions with foreigners through webcams. Those children are not only exposed to and engaged in activities that are illegal, they also fall under the radars of organizations involved in helping these children. Furthermore, parents become harder to reach because of the in-house nature of the activities. Webcam child sex tourism, as Terre des Hommes Netherlands calls this phenomenon, is proliferating in the Philippines and spreading quickly. Through the internet, adults offer payment or other rewards to view and direct live streaming video footage of children in the Philippines performing sexual acts in front of a webcam. Similar to child sex tourism, adults seek contact with vulnerable children in other countries for sexual purposes and in doing so dodge the law in their own countries. All it takes is a computer, Internet connection and a web camera or mobile phone. The fact that webcam child sex tourism operations are organized and configured in many different locations makes them harder to discover and much more difficult for gathering evidence against perpetrators. Webcam child sex tourism remained undiscovered until 2011 when the Philippines successfully prosecuted its first case against two Swedish nationals and three Filipinos (BBC, 2011). Children involved in webcam child sex tourism generally perform webcam sex shows from their home computers, from Internet cafes, or from what are known as "cybersex dens": buildings in which women and children are kept, often against their will, in windowless dungeon-like settings. In the Philippines, police raids against such dens are increasingly common. 40% of the victims of webcam child sex tourism have family members who either are involved in webcam sex operations themselves, or who are aware of the child's involvement in webcam sex. In areas like Cordova and Taguig, both located in Cebu province, webcam sex operations have become widespread and family members are aware that there is a lot of money to be earned from it. A description of the nature and extent of the phenomenon has to date never been completed. Details: The Hague: Terre des Hommes, 2013. 67p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed June 26, 2014 at: http://www.terredeshommes.nl/upload/dossier/download/TdH-Fullscreen_on_View-Webversie_DEF.pdf Year: 2013 Country: Philippines URL: http://www.terredeshommes.nl/upload/dossier/download/TdH-Fullscreen_on_View-Webversie_DEF.pdf Shelf Number: 132543 Keywords: Child ProstitutionChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual ExploitationSex Tourism |
Author: ECPAT International Title: Sexual Exploitation of Children in Brazil: Putting a spot on the problem Summary: Sexual exploitation of children in Brazil is a problem which causes inconceivable, physical and psychological traumas to the victims, who are at this very moment largely unknown to politicians and the public. The lack of knowledge of the problem makes it difficult for organizations to help the victims, living in the fringes of society, and to prosecute the child abusers, who are largely grown up men, both locals and foreigners. The invisibility of the problem encouraged child protection organizations Terre des Hommes, Plan, ECPAT and Free a Girl to issue a research on the scope and magnitude of the problem of sexual exploitation in Brazil. No such research had been conducted before and figures in reports and articles on the issue vary, leading to guestimates, quite often contradictory to each other. Sexual exploitation of children however seems to exist throughout the country, there is not a town in Brazil that goes without a case of sexual exploitation of children. The information gathered during this research suggests that we still only have the tip of the iceberg in view. Previous research proves that victims of sexual exploitation develop a negative self-image, leading to shame, fear and self-destructive behaviour, ranging from social isolation, promiscuity to even suicide. Besides, the children are often physically molested, which causes permanent physical damage and sexually transmitted diseases, to the extent of HIV. This downward spiral produces generations of sexually exploited children, not capable to fight and overcome their situations, hence the importance of strengthened efforts by the Brazilian government and NGOs to prevent the sexual exploitation of children and to provide adequate legal, social, medical and psychological support to the victims. The urgency of the problem could increase as this summer's FIFA World Cup may exacerbate the sexual exploitation of children by people who seize the opportunity of being anonymous in a foreign country. Moreover, the construction of infrastructure and the construction of stadiums, hotels and shopping malls in the cities where the World Cup will take place attracts workers from all over Brazil, leading to an increased risk of these construction workers turning to commercial sex with minors, before and during the games. Furthermore, displacement of communities and forced evictions for infrastructure development is commonplace. This leads to broken traditional support systems and eventually to the increased vulnerability of children and their families to, amongst others, become victim of sexual exploitation. Details: Bangkok, Thailand: ECPAT, 2014. 41p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed June 26, 2014 at: http://www.defenceforchildren.nl/images/13/3096.pdf Year: 2014 Country: Brazil URL: http://www.defenceforchildren.nl/images/13/3096.pdf Shelf Number: 132555 Keywords: Child ProstitutionChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual Exploitation |
Author: Kloc, Zuzanna Title: Prostitution-Related Crimes and Child Trafficking in Poland: Report from a case-file study Summary: This report presents conclusions from research on prostitution-related crimes and the crime of trafficking in children for commercial sexual exploitation. English translation is the summary of the full version of the report available in Polish. Child trafficking and exploiting children in prostitution are forms of enslavement and abuse that reduce children to the role of sexual objects having specific commercial value. Official statistics reflect only the cases that have been reported or detected. One of the causes of low detectability of such offences is the fact that commercial sexual exploitation of children is a domain of organized criminal groups that use various coercive measures against their victims. Children are intimidated and they fear ostracism and rejection, both by their family and friends and by the society, because they often have a feeling that they have somehow contributed to their exploitation. Variability of methods used to recruit potential victims makes it difficult to estimate the scale of the problem and to describe the characteristics of victims and perpetrators. The case-file study presented in this report was meant to fill the gaps in our knowledge about exploiting children in prostitution, gaps that have to be filled if we are to develop effective preventive and rehabilitation programmes for victims. The future of a child or young person exploited in prostitution depends significantly on the response of the criminal justice authorities, including the correct legal classification of the acts committed by the perpetrators. The research was also meant to determine whether criminal acts that meet the statutory criteria of human trafficking - as defined in the Polish criminal law and international legislation - are classified as such in the judicial practice. Details: Warsaw: Nobody's Children Foundation, 2012. 26p. Source: Internet Resource: http://www.canee.net/files/Prostitution%20related%20crimes&child_trafficking_NCF-1.pdf Year: 2012 Country: Poland URL: http://www.canee.net/files/Prostitution%20related%20crimes&child_trafficking_NCF-1.pdf Shelf Number: 125776 Keywords: Child ProstitutionChild Sex TraffickingChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual Exploitation |
Author: Warburton, Jane Title: Reducing the Risk of the Sexual Exploitation of Children Summary: How the issue of sexual exploitation is framed and defined is important - on this issue probably more than most; language has reflected and influenced public and political thinking and attitudes on the subject of children who have been or are being sexually exploited. In some contexts, for example in the UK, the dominant language has changed, with the use of "child or juvenile prostitutes" becoming much less frequent, and the issue redefined "as one of child abuse." How language changes on this issue is not well understood or documented. It may respond to sympathetic media coverage, or the converse. The ways in which incidents are presented or framed can have a major influence on how professionals and non-professionals understand and engage with the issue. It seems evident that changes in language and change in attitudes and perceptions about sexual exploited children, and of course about their exploiters, are inter-twined, but how this potential for positively changing responses and reactions might be stimulated, is not well understood or explicitly employed as a tactic by most of the actors engaged in this field. There are a number of definitions for child sexual exploitation in general use. The Council of Europe defines this form of sexual abuse as "Engaging in sexual activities with a child where use is made of coercion, force or threats; or abuse is made of a recognised position of trust, authority or influence over the child, including within the family; or abuse is made of a particularly vulnerable situation of the child, notably because of a mental or physical disability or a situation of dependence." The following is an example developed by the National Working Group Network, an interagency network in the UK; "The sexual exploitation of children and young people under 18, involves exploitative situations, contexts and relationships where young people (or a third person or persons) receive 'something' (e.g. food, accommodation, alcohol, cigarettes, affection, gifts, money) as a result of performing, and/or others performing on them, sexual activities....In all cases those exploiting the child/young person have power over them by virtue of their age, gender, intellect, physical strength, and/or economic or other resources." Details: London: Oak Foundation, 2014. 19p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed July 11, 2014 at: http://www.oakfnd.org/sites/default/files/Paper%204%20Reducing%20the%20risk%20of%20the%20sexual%20exploitation%20of%20children.pdf Year: 2014 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.oakfnd.org/sites/default/files/Paper%204%20Reducing%20the%20risk%20of%20the%20sexual%20exploitation%20of%20children.pdf Shelf Number: 132656 Keywords: Child ProstitutionChild Sexual Abuse (U.K.)Child Sexual Exploitation |
Author: Plummer, Carol Title: Using Policies to Promote Child Sexual Abuse Prevention: What is Working? Summary: Taxi drivers in some coastal African cities have been trained in child sex tourism and become part of the prevention network by not connecting tourists with children forced into sex work (cab driver, personal communication, 2008). Similarly, in many countries, large hotel chains and tourist destinations have posted notices that they do not tolerate child sexual exploitation (personal observation and T. Omwenga, personal communication, Kenya, July, 2008,) or have posters greeting tourists at their airports with similar messages (personal observation, Ghana, 2012). Some of these posters explicitly state that employees will not tolerate or accommodate exploitive behavior and will contact police if they suspect it. All of these activities are examples of policy in practice. The general public may understand policy as laws or rules made at a state or national level, instituted by legislation. In practice, policy is much broader than this and includes both formal and informal actions and processes that guide prevention and response. A formal policy is a course of action outlined in writing that guides institutional efforts and management of resources. Formal policies often include pieces of legislation, ordinances, and public rules and regulations. The ways in which formal policies get implemented heavily depend on individuals, communities, and systems. What individuals and organizations actually do, or fail to do, to prevent and respond to child sexual abuse constitutes informal policy. Many policy advocates understand that working to create or improve policy is a two-way street. Policy may be intended to influence the actions of individuals, but individuals also have the ability to influence, adapt, and inspire changes in policy. Even policies like the ones in African business communities described above have their challenges. Innovative policies often prompt a change in tactics for people who sexually offend. In this case, people traveling to commit child sexual exploitation used large bribes to low-income taxi drivers, convincing them to provide information and transportation (C. Maternowski, personal communication, 2012). Similarly, as larger hotels participated in anti-exploitation campaigns, much illegal business has shifted to smaller hotels, necessitating new strategies in policy development. As conditions change, sometimes as a result of good policy work, re-evaluation and design of new tactics is necessary. Every day, policy advocates are working to mandate the implementation of prevention programming as well as institutionalize the prevention of child sexual abuse. This Applied Research paper looks at policies specific to child sexual abuse prevention. A person perpetrates child sexual abuse when he or she exposes a child to sexual acts or behavior (National Sexual Violence Resource Center [NSVRC], 2011). Child sexual abuse may include sexual acts that involve penetration, touching the child's breasts or genitals, making a child touch the perpetrator's breasts or genitals, voyeurism, or commercial sexual exploitation (Finkelhor, Hammer, & Sedlak, 2008). These acts can be performed by adults or by other children. It is important to remember that formal policy definitions of child sexual abuse vary between states. Criminal legal definitions may also vary from those used in child protective services. The field of public health identifies three levels of prevention: primary, secondary, and tertiary. The primary prevention of child sexual abuse addresses actions, behaviors and norms before the abuse is ever perpetrated. Secondary and tertiary prevention efforts address issues and responses after abuse has been perpetrated. These reactive efforts promote safety and healthy outcomes for the individuals and communities affected by child sexual abuse and prevent abuse from occurring again in the future. All three types of prevention are equally important and comprehensive child sexual abuse prevention strategies work to address the issue at each level. Policies designed to prevent child sexual abuse can promote or influence all three. Many existing policy efforts address the secondary and tertiary levels of prevention. Our review will focus on available research on existing policies and evidence of effectiveness. We will briefly discuss international policy efforts to prevent child sexual abuse, but particularly focus on reviewing efforts in the United States. We also make recommendations for future policy advocacy work, including ways to expand policy to include primary prevention. Details: Harrisburg, PA: VAWnet, a project of the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence, 2013. 21p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed July 16, 2014 at: http://www.vawnet.org/Assoc_Files_VAWnet/AR_CSAPolicies.pdf Year: 2013 Country: International URL: http://www.vawnet.org/Assoc_Files_VAWnet/AR_CSAPolicies.pdf Shelf Number: 132685 Keywords: Child ProstitutionChild Sex TourismChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual Exploitation |
Author: Finklea, Kristin Title: Juvenile Victims of Domestic Sex Trafficking: Juvenile Justice Issues Summary: There has been growing concern over sex trafficking of children in the United States. Demand for sex with children (and other forms of commercial sexual exploitation of children) is steady, and profit to sex traffickers has increased. Law enforcement is challenged not only by prosecuting traffickers and buyers of sex with children, but also by how to handle the girls and boys whose bodies are sexually exploited for profit. Under the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000 (TVPA; P.L. 106-386), the primary law that addresses trafficking, sex trafficking of children is a federal crime; moreover, an individual under the age of 18 who is involved in commercial sex activities is considered a victim of these crimes. Despite this, at the state and local levels, juvenile victims of sex trafficking may at times be treated as criminals or juvenile delinquents rather than victims of crime. Of note, there are no comprehensive data that address the number of prostituted or otherwise sexually trafficked children, and there are limited studies on the proportion of these juveniles who are treated as offenders. A number of factors may, alone or in combination, contribute to the criminalization of juvenile trafficking victims. One is a lack of victim identification and an awareness of key indicators that may help in identifying victims. Even in states that statutorily consider juveniles involved in commercial sex to be victims, law enforcement may not have received sufficient training to be able to identify victims. Another factor is a lack of secure shelters and specialized services for victims; despite knowing that the juvenile is a victim, law enforcement may charge the individual with a crime so as to place the victim into one of the only available safe and secure environments - a detention facility within the juvenile justice system. Researchers and policy makers have suggested a number of options aimed at preventing minor trafficking victims from being caught up in the juvenile justice system and diverting them to programs and services that can help rehabilitate and restore these youth. These have included supporting law enforcement training on human trafficking, enhancing law enforcement and community partnerships, enacting safe harbor laws preventing the prosecution of victims as offenders, establishing diversion programs for juveniles involved in commercial sex, and establishing provisions to seal or expunge records of trafficked youth's involvement in the juvenile justice systems. Because the federal government considers juveniles involved in prostitution as victims of trafficking, and because much of the policing to combat prostitution and sex trafficking - both of adults and children - happens at the state level, federal policy makers have considered how to influence states' treatment of trafficking victims (particularly minors) such that state policies are more in line with those of the federal government. Financial incentives from federal grants and victim compensation funds could be provided through a variety of avenues. These routes include TVPA-authorized grants, juvenile and criminal justice grants, Violence Against Women Act (VAWA; P.L. 113-4) - authorized grants, and the Crime Victims Fund. Details: Washington, DC: Congressional Research Services, 2014. 23p. Source: Internet Resource: R43677: Accessed August 13, 2014 at: http://fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R43677.pdf Year: 2014 Country: United States URL: http://fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R43677.pdf Shelf Number: 133028 Keywords: Child ProstitutionChild Sexual ExploitationJuvenile Sex Trafficking (U.S.)Rehabilitation Programs |
Author: Jay, Alexis Title: Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Exploitation in Rotherham (1997 - 2013) Summary: No one knows the true scale of child sexual exploitation (CSE) in Rotherham over the years. Our conservative estimate is that approximately 1400 children were sexually exploited over the full Inquiry period, from 1997 to 2013. In just over a third of cases, children affected by sexual exploitation were previously known to services because of child protection and neglect. It is hard to describe the appalling nature of the abuse that child victims suffered. They were raped by multiple perpetrators, trafficked to other towns and cities in the north of England, abducted, beaten, and intimidated. There were examples of children who had been doused in petrol and threatened with being set alight, threatened with guns, made to witness brutally violent rapes and threatened they would be next if they told anyone. Girls as young as 11 were raped by large numbers of male perpetrators. This abuse is not confined to the past but continues to this day. In May 2014, the caseload of the specialist child sexual exploitation team was 51. More CSE cases were held by other children's social care teams. There were 16 looked after children who were identified by children's social care as being at serious risk of sexual exploitation or having been sexually exploited. In 2013, the Police received 157 reports concerning child sexual exploitation in the Borough. Over the first twelve years covered by this Inquiry, the collective failures of political and officer leadership were blatant. From the beginning, there was growing evidence that child sexual exploitation was a serious problem in Rotherham. This came from those working in residential care and from youth workers who knew the young people well. Within social care, the scale and seriousness of the problem was underplayed by senior managers. At an operational level, the Police gave no priority to CSE, regarding many child victims with contempt and failing to act on their abuse as a crime. Further stark evidence came in 2002, 2003 and 2006 with three reports known to the Police and the Council, which could not have been clearer in their description of the situation in Rotherham. The first of these reports was effectively suppressed because some senior officers disbelieved the data it contained. This had led to suggestions of cover-up. The other two reports set out the links between child sexual exploitation and drugs, guns and criminality in the Borough. These reports were ignored and no action was taken to deal with the issues that were identified in them. In the early 2000s, a small group of professionals from key agencies met and monitored large numbers of children known to be involved in CSE or at risk but their managers gave little help or support to their efforts. Some at a senior level in the Police and children's social care continued to think the extent of the problem, as described by youth workers, was exaggerated, and seemed intent on reducing the official numbers of children categorised as CSE. At an operational level, staff appeared to be overwhelmed by the numbers involved. There were improvements in the response of management from about 2007 onwards. By 2009, the children's social care service was acutely understaffed and over stretched, struggling to cope with demand. Seminars for elected members and senior officers in 2004-05 presented the abuse in the most explicit terms. After these events, nobody could say 'we didn't know'. In 2005, the present Council Leader chaired a group to take forward the issues, but there is no record of its meetings or conclusions, apart from one minute. By far the majority of perpetrators were described as 'Asian' by victims, yet throughout the entire period, councillors did not engage directly with the Pakistani-heritage community to discuss how best they could jointly address the issue. Some councillors seemed to think it was a one-off problem, which they hoped would go away. Several staff described their nervousness about identifying the ethnic origins of perpetrators for fear of being thought racist; others remembered clear direction from their managers not to do so. In December 2009, the Minister of State for Children and Families put the Council's children's safeguarding services into intervention, following an extremely critical Ofsted report. The Council was removed from intervention thirteen months later. The Rotherham Safeguarding Children Board and its predecessor oversaw the development of good inter-agency policies and procedures applicable to CSE. The weakness in their approach was that members of the Safeguarding Board rarely checked whether these were being implemented or whether they were working. The challenge and scrutiny function of the Safeguarding Board and of the Council itself was lacking over several years at a time when it was most required. In 2013, the Council Leader, who has held office since 2003, apologised for the quality of the Council's safeguarding services being less than it should have been before 2009. This apology should have been made years earlier, and the issue given the political leadership it needed. There have been many improvements in the last four years by both the Council and the Police. The Police are now well resourced for CSE and well trained, though prosecutions remain low in number. There is a central team in children's social care which works jointly with the Police and deals with child sexual exploitation. This works well but the team struggles to keep pace with the demands of its workload. The Council is facing particular challenges in dealing with increased financial pressures, which inevitably impact on frontline services. The Safeguarding Board has improved its response to child sexual exploitation and holds agencies to account with better systems for file audits and performance reporting. There are still matters for children's social care to address such as good risk assessment, which is absent from too many cases, and there is not enough long-term support for the child victims. Details: Rotherham, UK: Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council, 2014. 159p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 11, 2014 at: http://www.rotherham.gov.uk/downloads/file/1407/independent_inquiry_cse_in_rotherham Year: 2014 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.rotherham.gov.uk/downloads/file/1407/independent_inquiry_cse_in_rotherham Shelf Number: 133285 Keywords: Child Abuse and NeglectChild ProstitutionChild ProtectionChild RapeChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual Exploitation (Rotherham, UK)Child TraffickingSex Offenders |
Author: Gohir, Shaista Title: Unheard Voices: The Sexual Exploitation of Asian Girls and Young Women Summary: The purpose of this pilot study is to uncover the hidden experiences of Asian / Muslim girls and young women so that we may better understand how to support and protect them. It is important to stress that this study is not suggesting that sexual exploitation is more of a problem in Asian and / or Muslim communities. In any case the scope of this research does not enable us to make such propositions. In fact, this research shows that sexual grooming is not about race but about vulnerability, the exploitation of that vulnerability and opportunism. By raising awareness that Asian / Muslim girls and young women are also victims of sexual exploitation, it is hoped that they will not continue to be overlooked by service providers and support agencies and that their experiences are also taken into account when determining new policies and resources to tackle this issue. It is important that vulnerable girls and young women from all backgrounds are helped and supported. Details: Digbeth Birmingham, UK: Muslim Women's Network UK, 2013. 126p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 12, 2014: http://www.mwnuk.co.uk//go_files/resources/UnheardVoices.pdf Year: 2013 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.mwnuk.co.uk//go_files/resources/UnheardVoices.pdf Shelf Number: 129920 Keywords: AsiansChild Abuse and NeglectChild ProstitutionChild ProtectionChild Sexual Abuse (U.K.)Child Sexual ExploitationMuslims |
Author: Hughes, Karissa Title: Literature Review: Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children Summary: - While various promising program models and strategies for providing services to victims of the commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC) have been occurring for over a decade, the lack of a current evidence-base related to prevention, identification and interventions available to inform such programs and practices underscores the need for additional work in this area. - Currently, federal (Federal Strategic Action Plan on Services for Victims of Human Trafficking, 2013-2017) and state (the California Child Welfare Council CSEC Action Team) efforts are underway to strategically respond to the existing gaps in knowledge and practice around CSEC, in order to better identify and meet the needs of victims. - In the meantime, while not exhaustive this literature review intends to highlight an array of current efforts and components that merit additional attention when considering residential placement types and the provision of services to this vulnerable population. - The perception that victims of CSEC should be handled in the juvenile justice system as opposed to the child welfare system is changing with evidence supporting the key role child welfare agencies play. Even if child welfare agencies are not currently required to intervene with CSEC victims under the existing California Welfare and Institutions Code (WIC) Section 300, the reality is CWS staff are already working with a significant number of victims and survivors of these crimes, whether or not they recognize them as such. Thus two roles emerge, preventing CSEC among populations already involved in child welfare, and identifying/assisting CSEC victims in their care. - Understanding the extreme physical, psychological, emotional and social harms associated with CSEC and the stages of change youth experience as they attempt to exit CSE informs the need for a range of victim services across a number of agencies and a continuum of care model to fully address their spectrum of needs. Therefore broad-based multi-sector response including interagency collaborative approaches/community coalitions should be utilized. - Coordinated communication between service providers is necessary in order to share information on available resources, services and trends which will allow involved systems/agencies/service providers to more efficiently and effectively provide the services needed at any given point in the restoration process. - Based on the literature more support is needed for comprehensive and specialized programs that provide youth with a safe place to stay, positive support networks that address their needs and empower them to make safe choices; and interventions for trauma and behavioral issues that make it difficult for them to function in traditional settings. - Components of promising services and strategies identified by providers who serve CSEC victims include safety planning, collaboration across providers, trust and relationship building to foster consistency, culturally appropriate services, trauma-informed programming, and survivor involvement in the development and implementation of programming. Services for CSEC victims and those at-risk should also be informed by a comprehensive and standardized screening assessment that evaluates particular needs and levels of risk. - In terms of shelter/housing additional residential placements are needed to specifically serve CSEC with appropriate security features to prevent access by exploiters, clear protocols, allowance to return following runaways, and qualified personnel. - Several promising models for better understanding and serving CSEC victims via the child welfare system are shared across the nation. Such policies and procedures may provide beneficial for California, particularly to integrate this population into their missions and mandates. Broadly, the main areas include: designating CSEC as a specific form of child abuse to improve case management, requiring reporting to child protective services, raising awareness and building capacity in child welfare, and developing child welfare system guidelines, protocols and tools for working with CSEC victims. - Additionally in May 2013, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families (ACF) released as part of their Human Trafficking Briefing Series Emerging Practices within Child Welfare Responses, highlighting 10 promising practices already underway in child welfare agencies across the United States. This is included in Section X of the literature review. - In addition to the work of child welfare, law enforcement, and other governmental organizations, several nongovernmental and community-based organizations play a key role in providing direct services to victims. These include the 10 programs identified by the California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse (CEBC) for Child Welfare in the area of "Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children and Adolescents: Services for Victims." While some of these may offer promise for replication locally, at this point none of these ten programs have been given a scientific rating by the CEBC, meaning currently there are not sufficiently published, peer-reviewed research evidence examining outcomes for these programs. - Recently there has been an emphasis on the importance of expanding outreach to the at-risk population so they can better protect themselves from CSEC and recognize risky situations. Disseminating educational materials and providing training programs to these youth as well as to CSEC victims and service providers will increase awareness of CSEC and the services available to victims. Examples of existing CSEC training and prevention programs are provided in Section XII. - In conclusion a range of web resources, resource guides, action plans, publications and reports on the topic are offered for additional information and further developments on the topic of CSEC. Details: San Diego, CA: Academy for Professional Excellence at San Diego State University School of Social Work, 2014. 112p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 15, 2014 at: https://theacademy.sdsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/sachs-csec-lit-review-02-2014.pdf Year: 2014 Country: United States URL: http://theacademy.sdsu.edu/programs/SACHS/literature/SACHS_CSEC_Lit_%2https://theacademy.sdsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/sachs-csec-lit-review-02-2014.pdf Shelf Number: 133302 Keywords: Child Abuse and NeglectChild ProstitutionChild ProtectionChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual ExploitationChild WelfareVictim Services |
Author: Railway Children Title: Children and Young People Living on the Streets in Mwanza, Tanzania. Headcount Report Summary: This report contains the findings of a "headcount" of children and young people who work or live on the streets of Mwanza, Tanzania. The purpose of conducting this headcount was to establish the number of street-based children and young people so as to inform ongoing strategic responses for them by various stakeholders. Railway Children Africa, the key local agencies working with street children in Mwanza and the Social Welfare department make up the partnership "the Integrated Response for Street Children in Mwanza" which is behind this headcount survey. These different partner agencies have observed what appears to be a steady increase of children and young people on the streets, and the current survey attempts to provide valid data to test assumptions about this trend and create a baseline against which to measure changes in the numbers of children on the streets in future years. Periodically quantifying the street children population provides an opportunity to understand the magnitude of the issue and to call various stakeholders to action as they seek to address and support children and young people living alone on the streets. In this report, the data from the headcount exercise is presented and analysed with lessons learnt, conclusions, and recommendations for future work and data collection. We hope that the data will indicate areas that need to be improved and avenues for new directions for work with children living on the streets. Details: Sandbach, Cheshire, UK: Railway Children, 2012. 24p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 23, 2014 at: http://www.railwaychildren.org.uk/media/11743/mwanza-head-count-report-final.pdf Year: 2012 Country: Tanzania URL: http://www.railwaychildren.org.uk/media/11743/mwanza-head-count-report-final.pdf Shelf Number: 133393 Keywords: BeggingChild ProstitutionHomeless ChildrenHomelessnessSex WorkersStreet Children (Tanzania) |
Author: Manitoba. Manitoba Justice Title: Working Together to Address Sexual Exploitation on our Streets Summary: The sex trade has profoundly negative effects on neighbourhoods and the individuals involved on the streets. The Criminal Code of Canada (federal law) has measures to deal with the sex trade. The Manitoba government has also introduced many measures to discourage the harmful activities related to the sex trade and sexual exploitation. Manitobans in all neighbourhoods have an important role to play in addressing the sex trade and its impact on the community at large. This publication provides an overview of the sex trade, including its impact on the victims of sexual exploitation and the communities where it occurs. The publication is also a resource for neighbourhoods that wish to take action to help reduce the harm caused by street prostitution. Connecting communities to the many resources available will help us work together to address sexual exploitation on our streets. The information in this publication is based on the experience and advice of: - front line workers - Manitoba Family Services and Housing - law enforcement agencies - Crown attorneys - Manitoba Justice - community members Details: Winnipeg, Manitoba: Manitoba Justice, Community Justice Branch, 2006. 57p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 27, 2014 at: http://www.gov.mb.ca/justice/safe/neighbourhoodsolutions.pdf Year: 2006 Country: Canada URL: http://www.gov.mb.ca/justice/safe/neighbourhoodsolutions.pdf Shelf Number: 133828 Keywords: Child ProstitutionChild Sexual ExploitationNeighborhoods and CrimeProstitution (Canada)Sex TradeStreet Prostitution |
Author: Barrett, Nicole A. Title: Laws to Combat Sex Trafficking: An Overview of International, National, Provincial and Municipal Laws and their Enforcement Summary: This report examines current legislation, regulations and law enforcement issues relating to human trafficking for sexual exploitation at four levels: the international, national, state/provincial, and municipal. The report is part of on-going research for the Task Force on the Trafficking of Women and Girls in Canada, convened by the Canadian Women's Foundation (CWF). A previous research report to the Task Force discusses the incidence of sex trafficking in Canada as well as specific issues of trafficking for sexual exploitation in Canada and the impacts on women and girls in particular. The overall purpose of the research is to analyze Canada's legal framework for addressing sex trafficking, place Canada's current legislative responses to sex trafficking at federal, provincial and municipal levels in the context of international obligations and recent developments in other countries, and to examine possible responses and innovative practices for the law and law enforcement. The report is intended to aid the Task Force in formulating its programming and policy responses to the significant problem of sexual exploitation of women and girls in Canada. The report is divided into six main sections, which look at the context in which legislation should be considered, and examines the four levels of applicable law, including a brief discussion of internet regulation as it relates to sex trafficking. The six sections include: - An introduction, providing methodology and context - International protocols and obligations relating to sex trafficking and selected examples of foreign national and state/provincial legislation on human trafficking and prostitution - Canadian Federal legislation - Canadian Provincial legislation - Canadian Municipal regulation - Regulating the internet The final section of the report summarises the main issues arising from the research for further consideration by the Task Force. Summary charts on current international, Canadian Provincial and Municipal responses, and an overall matrix of legislative responses to trafficking for sexual exploitation are included as Appendices to the report (Appendices I-VII). Details: Toronto: Canadian Women's Foundation, 2013. 106p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 30, 2014 at: http://canadianwomen.org/sites/canadianwomen.org/files//Laws%20to%20Combat%20Sex%20Trafficking_2.pdf Year: 2013 Country: International URL: http://canadianwomen.org/sites/canadianwomen.org/files//Laws%20to%20Combat%20Sex%20Trafficking_2.pdf Shelf Number: 133880 Keywords: Child ProstitutionChild Sexual ExploitationHuman TraffickingInternet CrimesLaw and LegislationProstitutionSex TraffickingSexual Exploitation |
Author: Shared Hope International Title: Demanding Justice Report 2014 Summary: America's youth are at risk because of a simple economic principle-demand for sex acts with children drives the market of exploitation. Little has been done to address the culture of tolerance or confront the obvious conclusion that penalizing buyers is essential to protecting our youth from becoming prey. Unfortunately, attempts to find answers to the problem of demand have been scarce. In a very limited number of cases a buyer has been convicted federally under a provision of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act, and this needs to be developed for greater applicability at the state level. Enactment of good laws at the state and federal level are essential but just the beginning. Enforcement of these laws will be the deterrent necessary to stem demand for commercial sex acts. Therefore, the purpose of this report is to measure criminal justice outcomes. Nonetheless identifying buyers of sex acts with minors was a crucial preliminary step in the research and lent itself to a prevalence review by default. One overarching challenge encountered in studying demand is the anonymity of buyers. Similarly, the anonymity of buyers presents one of the greatest challenges to investigation and arrest. Victims often do not know or remember the buyers' real names, addresses, or other identifying information. This can be due to the trauma of the sexual exploitation or to the evasive techniques of traffickers in orchestrating the commercial encounter with the buyer. Prostitution is done on a cash basis and buyers frequently use false names, leaving law enforcement with limited evidence. Given the challenges law enforcement face in identifying and arresting buyers, the number of buyers who have come into contact with law enforcement reflects a small subsection of those who are buying sex acts with minors. Within that subset are the cases that were reported by the media with sufficient information to clearly identify the case as involving commercial sexual exploitation of a minor by a buyer, narrowing the field of cases even further. Since prosecutions of traffickers for the offense of sex trafficking of minors are more prevalent and generally carry more serious penalties than prosecutions of buyers of sex acts with minors, trafficker cases are more often identified in media articles as sex trafficking and more often reported. The conduct of traffickers is increasingly referred to as human trafficking in the media, but there is little consistency in the language used to refer to the conduct of buyers. In some instances, the offense of buying sex acts with a minor is viewed as a type of prostitution case. The desk review phase of this research identified 407 relevant cases largely through media sources; 25 of those media outlets referred to a minor victim as a prostitute, reflecting the attitudes that prevent these cases from being reported as serious offenses of commercial sexual exploitation of a child. Prevalent misunderstanding of a buyer's role in the sex trafficking of minors perpetuates another set of challenges in identifying these offenders. Lower penalties for buying sex acts with a minor discourage law enforcement from aggressively investigating the buyer as they focus efforts on traffickers who face more substantial penalties and are perceived as more culpable. Media's focus is also on these more serious offenses, promoting public perception that traffickers are the only offenders that warrant attention. While substantial penalties for traffickers have been a legislative focus for many years, a shift toward focusing on buyers as culpable parties in the sex trafficking of children has only begun to take root. Despite the trend for law to treat the purchase of sex acts with a minor as a crime of sex trafficking, public perception continues to allocate some blame to the older minor and this is reflected in state legislation that minimizes penalties when a buyer purchases or solicits sex acts with an older minor. While many states have clarified their laws in the past couple years to clearly define a sex trafficking victim as any minor under the age of 18 used for commercial sex, buyers may enjoy a lower standard of culpability when their victim is older than 14 or 15, and may avoid serious penalties entirely by claiming mistake of age. Meanwhile, offenses against younger minors are often recognized and charged as sex offenses, regardless of whether there was an exchange or offer of compensation for illegal sex acts, leading to substantial variation in the treatment of buyers depending on the age of the victim. These perceptions about buyers influenced this demand research in two primary ways. First, there is substantial lack of clarity on how to define and describe buyer cases-the same case could be treated very differently under different state laws, or very differently depending on the age of the minor victim. This impacts how the case is reported by the media, the source of a substantial number of the buyer cases identified for the desk review phase of the study. As a result, search terms used in the study had to anticipate the range of terms that may be used to describe the offense and the range of offenses that may be charged against a buyer. Despite carefully selected search terms, close inspection of the resulting articles was necessary to find cases that fit the parameters of this study, specifically, commercial sexual exploitation of a minor by a sex consumer. These perceptions about buyers also impacted the target site research, which tracked 119 cases from arrest through prosecution to sentencing, and demonstrated a strikingly diverse array of sentencing alternatives and leniency factors afforded the defendants in these cases, suggesting a reticence to enforce existing penalties to the fullest extent of the law. Details: Vancouver, WA: Shared Hope International, 2014. 134p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 20, 2014 at: http://sharedhope.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Demanding_Justice_Report_2014.pdf Year: 2014 Country: United States URL: http://sharedhope.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Demanding_Justice_Report_2014.pdf Shelf Number: 134177 Keywords: Child ProstitutionChild Sex TraffickingChild Sexual ExploitationHuman Trafficking (U.S.) |
Author: Walker, David Title: Sexual exploitation of adolescent girls in Uganda. The drivers, consequences and responses to the 'sugar daddy' phenomenon Summary: The phenomenon of cross-generational sex - defined as sexual relationships between an adolescent and a partner who is older, usually by 10 or more years - can be linked to many immediate and life-long negative consequences for both girls and boys. These can include entering into transactional sexual relationships - one in which the exchange of commodities and obligations can be considered as payment - as well as increased exposure to major health risks and several foregone opportunities. In development studies and other disciplines, the study of these exploitative relationships has largely been neglected, or examined as a public health issue - most often with respect to HIV&AIDS. Systematic examinations of cross-generational sex as a child protection issue - in which the impacts of violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation are highlighted - are negligible, and are desperately needed to help development practitioners understand the issue and find long-lasting solutions. This study therefore seeks to understand the multiple and overlapping reasons behind cross-generational relationships in Uganda, as well as associated interventions, in order to promote more comprehensive responses to the issue. Through on-the-ground research we explore the consequences of adolescent experiences of these exploitative relationships, and analyse the extent to which policy and programming are currently failing this phenomenon. In particular, the research looks at the extent to which income poverty collates with discriminatory social norms in Uganda which contribute to this particular form of child protection violation. The study is part of a two-year Oak Foundation-funded programme of work that explores the potential for greater linkages between child protection and anti-poverty work in low- and middle-income countries. It is one of three country case studies that looks at sexual violence and exploitation, physical violence, early marriage and inadequate care, and their relationship to income poverty in Uganda, Ethiopia and Vietnam. Details: London: Overseas Development Agency, 2014. 9p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed December 9, 2014 at: http://www.odi.org/sites/odi.org.uk/files/odi-assets/publications-opinion-files/9274.pdf Year: 2014 Country: Uganda URL: http://www.odi.org/sites/odi.org.uk/files/odi-assets/publications-opinion-files/9274.pdf Shelf Number: 134291 Keywords: AdolescentsChild ProstitutionChild ProtectionChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual Exploitation (Uganda)Females |
Author: Epstein, Rebecca Title: Blueprint: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Domestic Sex Trafficking of Girls Summary: The sex trafficking of American children is one of the most shocking and hidden crimes against our nation's youth. Approximately 83 percent of confirmed sex trafficking victims in this country are United States citizens, and 40 percent of cases involve children. In total, from what few statistics have been gathered, at least 100,000 American children every year are victims of commercial sexual exploitation. These children have fallen through the cracks of our public systems. They remain invisible and unidentified. Yet these girls are known to us. They attend our schools, live in our communities, and many have passed in and out of our child welfare and juvenile justice systems. We can, and must, do better for our girls. This report grows out of a conference held on March 12, 2013, that was hosted by Georgetown Law's Center on Poverty and Inequality; the Human Rights Project for Girls; and The National Crittenton Foundation. The conference, "Critical Connections: A Multi-Systems Approach to the Domestic Sex Trafficking of Girls," gathered survivors, direct service providers, advocates, and state and federal government officials to discuss the challenges of addressing the domestic sex trafficking of children and the importance of working collaboratively to help identify and support survivors. The first half of this report identifies the core components of a comprehensive and collaborative approach to the domestic sex trafficking of girls. This approach, often referred to as "cross-system" or "multidisciplinary," requires cooperative work by relevant agencies and experts to identify and assess survivors' needs and provide the treatment and tools the girls require to heal and to succeed. The second half of this report describes how three jurisdictions have created a multidisciplinary response to the sex trafficking of children, each from a different system perspective: groundbreaking work was initiated in Suffolk County, Massachusetts, by a child advocacy center; in Los Angeles County, by the juvenile justice system; and in Connecticut, by the child welfare system. We elevate these three jurisdictions as models of promising collaborative approaches to the sex trafficking of children. It is our hope that other communities can adapt these models to their unique needs, networks, and sets of systems to improve their recognition and response to these children and this national tragedy. Details: Washington, DC: Center on Poverty and Inequality, Georgetown Law, 2013(?). 47p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 12, 2015 at: http://www.law.georgetown.edu/academics/centers-institutes/poverty-inequality/loader.cfm?csmodule=security/getfile&pageid=169026 Year: 2013 Country: United States URL: http://www.law.georgetown.edu/academics/centers-institutes/poverty-inequality/loader.cfm?csmodule=security/getfile&pageid=169026 Shelf Number: 134616 Keywords: Child ProstitutionChild Sexual ExploitationChild WelfareProstitutionSex Trafficking (U.S.) |
Author: Lerpiniere, Jennifer Title: The Sexual Exploitation of Looked After Children in Scotland: A scoping study to inform methodology for inspection Summary: In December 2012 the Centre for Excellence for Looked After Children in Scotland (CELCIS) was awarded the tender for a research project to investigate the sexual exploitation of looked after children in Scotland. The research was commissioned by Social Care and Social Work Improvement Scotland also known as the Care Inspectorate and related in particular to children in Scottish care services for which the Inspectorate has responsibility. To comply with funding arrangements and operational imperatives, the Care Inspectorate required this research to be conducted and reported within a very short timescale (three months), and within a fixed budget. Researchers often face restrictions such as these and must find creative ways to work within these limitations whilst also being honest about what is possible and what might realistically be achieved within the limits that prevail. CELCIS has over-lapping areas of interest with the Care Inspectorate; this has allowed the study to be somewhat more intensive than would otherwise have been possible, it will also facilitate any necessary follow-on work. This allows us to meet the requirements of the Care Inspectorate and to ensure that the research is conducted in a robust and responsible way. This report draws together research related to sexual exploitation of looked after children in Scotland from four strands of this study and from earlier work done by others. This information will inform the work of the Care Inspectorate. Some strands of the study will continue to receive information via on-going participation in the various research activities already initiated. These data will be used to develop a more detailed and nuanced picture which will be made available to the Care Inspectorate in the form of an 'Update Report' in due course. The full analysis will also be used to inform CELCIS's work and that of partners across the looked after children's sector. Details: Glasgow: University of Strathclyde, Centre for Excellence for Looked After Children in Scotland, 2013. 108p. Source: Internet Resource: Research Report RR-2013-05: Accessed February 16, 2015 at: http://www.celcis.org/media/resources/publications/Sexual-Exploitation-of-Looked-After-Children.pdf Year: 2013 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.celcis.org/media/resources/publications/Sexual-Exploitation-of-Looked-After-Children.pdf Shelf Number: 134631 Keywords: Child ProstitutionChild ProtectionChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual Exploitation (Scotland) |
Author: Christie, Christine Title: The Child Sexual Exploitation Service and Missing children service for young people in Stoke-on-Trent: A Review Summary: This report presents the findings from a high level independent review of two separate service areas which currently operate across Stoke-on-Trent. The service areas are: - Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE); and - Missing Children The report is organised as follows. It opens with a description of the policy background and methodology for the review. It presents key issues from published material providing a framework for a good practice response to CSE and missing children; and examines Stoke-on-Trent documentation in order to form a baseline in terms of the current local strategy, systems, policy and practice. The report then considers current services for sexually exploited and missing children and young people in Stoke-on-Trent. It does this in the light of the requirements for good CSE and missing children responses as described in the national CSE guidance - Safeguarding Children and Young People from Sexual Exploitation, Supplementary guidance to Working Together to Safeguard Children (the DCSF, 2009 CSE guidance); and the Statutory guidance on Children who Run away or Go missing from Home or Care (the DfE, 2014 Missing children guidance). It looks at current training for Stoke-on-Trent staff. The report draws conclusions from the review as a whole, and finally, makes a series recommendations for action over the short and longer term. Details: Bedfordshire, UK: University of Bedfordshire, 2014. 62p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 16, 2015 at: http://www.beds.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0011/449948/CSE-Missing-Service-Review-Stoke-on-Trent.pdf Year: 2014 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.beds.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0011/449948/CSE-Missing-Service-Review-Stoke-on-Trent.pdf Shelf Number: 134633 Keywords: child ProstitutionChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual Exploitation (U.K.)Missing ChildrenMissing PersonsRunaways |
Author: Berelowitz, Sue Title: Summary: It has been one year since the Office of the Children's Commissioner (OCC) published the final report of our ground-breaking Inquiry into child sexual exploitation in gangs and groups. Using our unique statutory powers, we gathered a huge body of evidence and published six influential reports covering children in care; the prevalence and nature of child sexual exploitation in gangs and groups; the impact on children of viewing adult pornography; young people's understanding of consent; sexual exploitation in gang-involved neighbourhoods; and the final report which set out a framework for tackling this crime and supporting victims. This report sets out the progress that has been made in tackling child sexual exploitation (CSE) in England since the Inquiry. There is encouraging evidence that many of the Inquiry recommendations are being taken seriously. We are pleased to see that there are areas and agencies across the country where progress is being made. The strong leadership from the Home Office is also welcome. At the same time, much remains to be done. There are still too many places where those who have responsibility for the protection of children are failing to face up to the realities of CSE. In other areas, while strategic leaders are committed and determined, the messages have not filtered to the frontline so good intentions are not yet leading to better practice. In addition, the Government's promised revision of the definition of sexual exploitation and a myth busting guide on information sharing have not been delivered. Limited understanding of sexual exploitation and failure to share information means children are still slipping through the net. Despite calls from young people and experts, the Department for Education (DfE) has failed to make relationships and sex education compulsory in all schools. Details: London: Office of the Children's Commissioner, 2015. 41p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 19, 2015 at: http://www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/content/publications/content_920 Year: 2015 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/content/publications/content_920 Shelf Number: 134656 Keywords: Child ProstitutionChild ProtectionChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual Exploitation (U.K.)PornographyYouth Gangs |
Author: Strehl, Talinay Title: Street-Working and Street-Living Children in Peru:Conditions and Current Interventions Summary: The 1990s witnessed serious interest from Peruvian NGOs in the issue of street children and, as a result, many street child welfare services were initiated, especially in Lima. However, since that time the interest has once again waned, even though the problem has not decreased. In recent years, hardly any anthropological research with street children has been done in Peru. Although GOs and NGOs have a lot of relevant knowledge concerning street children, this knowledge lacks actualisation and analysis to be positively used for the formulation of policy. This research will expose the reality of street children, which will enable us to understand the relation between street children and the organisations that intervene in their name. The focus will be more on the street-living than on the street-working children. One of the central objectives of this IREWOC research therefore was to reveal the faces and voices of street children and analyse their various backgrounds, relations to the streets and their perceptions of their situation. The research results were expected to give relevant insights into the various reasons why children are in the streets, the activities in which the children engage and how they generate income and the consequences that the children experience from their working/living/being in the streets. The anthropological outline of the lives of street children will form a basis for the second objective of this research, namely to map different policy initiatives for street children and to identify the best practices to satisfy street children's needs. Are organisations working with street children alleviating the problem or are they reproducing it, i.e. are their policies pulling children to the streets? These research objectives have been translated to the following research questions: - What are the street children's coping mechanisms? What labour activities or other activities do the children perform to generate income and what do they use it for? - What consequences does living/working in the streets have for these children's lives: what are the specific problems that the various types of street children face? - What are their urgent (self-declared) needs and what are their (perceived) aspirations? - Which specific strategies and interventions are used by GOs and NGOs to improve the situation of street children? - What are the effects of the different GO and NGO interventions on the street children and which strategies can be identified as most effective in improving the daily life situation and the future prospects of the street children? - Do GOs and NGOs work in a complementary way? What are bottlenecks in cooperation? The fieldwork locations for this research were Lima and Cusco. Lima was chosen because of its urban and metropolitan character and high number of street children, and Cusco because of its tourism industry and more rural and indigenous influences. Details: Leiden: Foundation for International Research on Working Children (IREWOC), 2010. 145p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 18, 2015 at: https://www.essex.ac.uk/armedcon/story_id/Street%20Children%20Peru_Strehl_IREWOC_2010.pdf Year: 2010 Country: Peru URL: https://www.essex.ac.uk/armedcon/story_id/Street%20Children%20Peru_Strehl_IREWOC_2010.pdf Shelf Number: 134964 Keywords: Child AbuseChild LaborChild ProstitutionHomeless ChildrenOrganized CrimePovertySexual ExploitationStreet Children (Peru) |
Author: ECPAT Netherlands Title: Don't Look Away! Be aware and report the sexual exploitation of children in travel and tourism Summary: ECPAT Austria, ECPAT France, ECPAT Germany, ECPAT Luxembourg and ECPAT Netherlands have coordinated country assessments in 5 Sub-Saharan African tourist destinations. The country assessments describe the situation of child sex tourism and analyse existing reporting systems in the field of child protection policies dealing with sexual exploitation of children. The assessments are part of the EU funded project 'Don't Look Away'. Through the research 496 child victims of sexual exploitation were interviewed. Furthermore, 800 members of the community (both adults and children) and 489 professional stakeholders (governmental authorities, NGOs, CSOs and members of the tourism industry) were reached through interviews, questionnaires and focus group discussions. Details: Leiden: ECPAT Netherlands, 2014. 99p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed march 25, 2015 at: http://www.ecpat.net/sites/default/files/Overall%20report%20-%20Assessment%205%20African%20countries.pdf Year: 2014 Country: Africa URL: http://www.ecpat.net/sites/default/files/Overall%20report%20-%20Assessment%205%20African%20countries.pdf Shelf Number: 135013 Keywords: Child ProstitutionChild Sex Tourism (Africa)Child Sexual Exploitation |
Author: Murphy, Laura T. Title: Trafficking and Exploitative Labor among Homeless Youth in New Orleans Summary: According to the Global Slavery Index, about 60,000 people are currently suffering under conditions of forced labor in the United States. But more detailed and systematic data are needed - especially about U.S. cities said to be "hubs for human trafficking." In Louisiana, official data are starting to be collected after a law was passed in 2014. Meanwhile, as part of a larger national effort, we have undertaken a study of trafficking among homeless youth in New Orleans. Located at the edge of the French Quarter, Covenant House New Orleans provides shelter and services to homeless, runaway, and at-risk youth ages 16 to 22, and to their children. In a replication and extension of a previous Covenant House study in New York, we interviewed 99 New Orleans clients, asking about various kinds of victimization and probing to see if their work experiences met federal legal criteria for sex trafficking, in which "a commercial sex act is induced by force, fraud or coercion" or the person is under 18 years old; or for forced labor, defined as "the recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of a person for labor or services through the use of force, fraud or coercion for the purpose of subjection to involuntary servitude, peonage, debt bondage or slavery." Overall, our study revealed that 14% of respondents were identified as victims of some form of legally defined trafficking, with eleven who said they were trafficked for sex, five who reported being subject to other kinds of forced labor, and two reporting both kinds of exploitation. Covenant House New Orleans cares for about 615 youth aged 16 to 23 over the course of a year, and our results indicate that about 85 residents per year are likely to have been trafficking victims as currently legally defined. More broadly, almost a third of our respondents reported having been approached by strangers on the street to trade sex or to engage in other illegal or informal work. Most assumed they were being offered an opportunity to work in the sex trade. Recruitment into the drug trade happened very young, with one respondent starting at age nine and others in their teenage years. Our study also revealed that homeless youth are vulnerable to other kinds of exploitation - such as dangerous work conditions or wage theft. Experiences of Trafficking - Primarily for Sex We uncovered only five legally defined labor trafficking cases, and four of them were youth forced into drug dealing. Only one person reported being brought into factory labor via fraud in Mexico. Forced sexual labor was the main form of trafficking experienced by victims in our study, reported by eight females and three males. Three victims identified as gay, lesbian or bisexual. - Of the 11 people who were trafficked for sex, seven are considered trafficking victims by law because they were selling sex under age 18 either voluntarily or through force, and three of those seven continued to be coerced by pimps as young adults. Four older respondents reported situations of force, fraud, or coercion that compelled them to engage in sex work, so they too would be considered trafficked regardless of their age. Two young men who reported engaging in sex work as children indicated that they had not experienced any compulsion to participate. Sexual Labor and Sex for Survival One fourth of our respondents had been involved in sexual labor of some form. Thirteen respondents had worked as commercial sex workers, ten had worked in the sex industry as exotic dancers, and two had worked in the French Quarter as "shot girls" who use sexual flirtation to entice customers to buy drinks. - One third of all the young women we interviewed and almost a fifth of the men had engaged in sexual labor of some kind. In a typical year, therefore, Covenant House serves about 154 residents likely to have engaged in this kind of labor. - Fifteen respondents had engaged in "survival sex," performing a sex act in exchange for food, housing, or some other basic necessity they believed they had no other way to obtain. - Because there has been significant attention to survival sex prevalence among transgender youth, we analyzed that data and found that there were no clear cases of trafficking among the three transgender respondents. One reported resorting to survival sex on occasion for survival purposes. All three transgender respondents had experienced both sexual and physical abuse. Lessons and Policy Implications - Covenant House and similar shelters should increase beds and space for homeless youth, especially those involved in the sex trade. In cooperation with other providers, shelters should do more to help victims of sex trafficking, including young men as well as women. - Private and public agencies should improve work opportunities and training for young adults. - Currently, young adults "age out" of many legal protections and eligibility for foster care. Legislators should look for ways to ensure greater continuity into young adulthood. - The legislature and local police departments should fund and require programs to help law enforcement officers identify victims of trafficking; and community activists, legal professionals, and service providers should spread information about Louisiana's new law to vacate convictions for people who turn out to be trafficking victims. - To help communities cope, more research is needed on patterns of forced drug dealing. . Details: New Orleans: Loyola University, Modern Slavery Research Project and Covenant House, 2015. 44p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 9, 2015 at: http://www.covenanthouseno.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Trafficking-Exploitative-Labor-Homeless-Youth-New-Orleans.pdf Year: 2015 Country: United States URL: http://www.covenanthouseno.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Trafficking-Exploitative-Labor-Homeless-Youth-New-Orleans.pdf Shelf Number: 135545 Keywords: Child LaborChild ProstitutionChild Sexual ExploitationChild Trafficking (New Orleans)Homeless YouthHuman TraffickingSex Trafficking |
Author: Emory University School of Law. Barton Child Law and Policy Clinic Title: Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children in Georgia: Service Delivery and Legislative Recommendations for State and Local Policy Makers Summary: The exploitation of children through prostitution is big business in Atlanta, and changing that situation was a priority during Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin's terms in office. In 2005, the Mayor's office published a paper titled Hidden In Plain View which explained the problem of commercial sexual exploitation of young girls in Atlanta, brought the importance of addressing the issue home by providing stories of real victims, and identified Atlanta's strengths and areas of need related to this problem. This 2008 paper builds on that foundation, and expands the scope to include all child victims, including boys, across Georgia. It examines approaches taken by other jurisdictions to address the commercial sexual exploitation of children, and makes legislative and policy recommendations for addressing the problem in Georgia. Details: Atlanta, GA: Emory Law School, Barton Child Law and Policy Clinic, 2008. 66p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 14, 2015 at: http://bartoncenter.net/uploads/fall2011updates/status_other/CSEC-recs-for-policy-makers.pdf Year: 2008 Country: United States URL: http://bartoncenter.net/uploads/fall2011updates/status_other/CSEC-recs-for-policy-makers.pdf Shelf Number: 135643 Keywords: Child ProstitutesChild ProstitutionChild ProtectionChild Sexual Exploitation |
Author: Walker, Kate Title: Ending the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children: A call for multi-system collaboration in California Summary: Within the United States, California has emerged as a magnet for commercial sexual exploitation ("CSE") of children ("CSEC"). The FBI has determined that three of the nation's thirteen High Intensity Child Prostitution areas are located in California: the San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego metropolitan areas. Child sex trafficking, child pornography, and child sex tourism are all forms of CSEC. Frequently, victims are exploited through more than one form of abuse, and they cycle through the stages of exploitation many times before they are able to leave their exploitative relationships. To address this problem, California must develop a comprehensive and collaborative response to ensure CSE victims are identified and receive the services they need to overcome trauma and live healthy, productive lives. The children who fall prey to exploiters are frequently those with prior involvement with the child welfare system, such as through child abuse report investigations and placement in foster care. Other victims should have received Child Welfare services and protections but never gained access to the system, and are instead treated like criminals and funneled into the juvenile justice system. Details: Sacramento: California Child Welfare Council, 2013. 100. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed June 2, 2015 at: http://www.chhs.ca.gov/CWCDOC/Ending%20CSEC%20-%20A%20Call%20for%20Multi-System%20Collaboration%20in%20CA%20-%20February%202013.pdf Year: 2013 Country: United States URL: http://www.chhs.ca.gov/CWCDOC/Ending%20CSEC%20-%20A%20Call%20for%20Multi-System%20Collaboration%20in%20CA%20-%20February%202013.pdf Shelf Number: 130001 Keywords: Child PornographyChild ProstitutionChild Sex TraffickingChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual ExploitationChild WelfareHuman Trafficking |
Author: Stopler, Lucien Title: Money Makes the World Go Down. Child Sexual Abuse and Child Sexual Exploitation in Tanzania Summary: Child sexual abuse and child sexual exploitation is widespread and growing in Tanzania. Although no nationwide statistics currently exist, certain observations strongly indicate widespread sexual exploitation. This report is based on a literature review and key informant interviews. Tanzanian police, specialized local and international NGOs and victims of abuse and exploitation were interviewed during the field work. Below is a summary of the empirical findings that are subsequently supported and discussed in the body of the report. Research conducted in six areas of Dar es Salaam revealed that 40% of children from poor families are being sexually exploited. Other commercial areas in Tanzania, including mining and fishing areas, are known locations for child prostitution. Anecdotal information confirms that a large number of children travel to these areas on payday to solicit sex. Child sexual abuse is rampant among street children; it is estimated that 30 to 40% of boys are abused by older boys and market vendors and 90% of girls are abused and generally end up in prostitution. The clients of child prostitutes' range, from tourists, business men and NGO workers for the more expensive girls, to locals and teenagers exploiting the children that charge the lowest rates - sometimes asking only for food. Child prostitutes interviewed related stories of violence from clients and big mama's (pimps) and the desperation they feel from not having any options. Child sexual abuse within the family goes mostly undiscovered because family honor prevails over the rights of individual children. Boy prostitution is a phenomenon that occurs primarily in Zanzibar. Child sexual abuse and child sexual exploitation are often linked. Child sexual abuse is defined differently than child sexual exploitation - namely that there is no commercial transaction or negotiation taking place - but in practice there is a gradient scale from abuse to exploitation. Sexual abusers often introduce an aspect of commercial transaction that further exploits the vulnerability of the victim. The police do not prioritize the investigation or prosecution of men having sex with child prostitutes, even though sex with a minor is a grave offence, carrying up to 30 years imprisonment as well as corporal punishment. The police arrest the underage prostitute, not the man who is also breaking the law by engaging in child sexual exploitation. The police are themselves accused of exploiting child prostitutes. The police officers that are committed, request more training on investigative techniques and internatioanal cooperation, as well as sufficient resources. Trafficking routes run from Tanzania and other East African countries to Europe. Information from the Tanzanian police lists the Netherlands as a likely location for victims of trafficking, even though there are few reports of women in The Netherlands trafficked from Tanzania. Two important root causes of child sexual abuse and exploitation that need to be addressed are poverty, which pushes children towards the city where there is no work, and broken homes emanating partly from social stress. Income-generation and family-support programs can improve this situation. Details: The Hague: Terre des Hommes Netherlands, 2009. 41p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed June 3, 2015 at: http://www.mensenhandelweb.nl/system/files/documents/14%20feb%202014/Money%20Makes%20the%20World%20Go%20Down%20%20Tanzania.pdf Year: 2009 Country: Tanzania URL: http://www.mensenhandelweb.nl/system/files/documents/14%20feb%202014/Money%20Makes%20the%20World%20Go%20Down%20%20Tanzania.pdf Shelf Number: 129774 Keywords: Child ProstitutionChild Sex TraffickingChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual ExploitationHuman traffickingPoverty |
Author: Coffey, Ann Title: Real Voices: Child sexual exploitation in Greater Manchester Summary: The inquiry into child sexual exploitation in Greater Manchester, chaired by Ann Coffey, MP for Stockport and Chair of the Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Runaway and Missing Children and Adults, has published its report, Real Voices. The inquiry was commissioned in December 2013 by Tony Lloyd, Police and Crime Commissioner for Greater Manchester, to look at the changes made in safeguarding children from sexual exploitation by Greater Manchester Police (GMP) and partner agencies since the 2012 Rochdale sexual grooming case, and at what more needs to be done in the future. Details: S.l.: Ann Coffey, 2014. 145p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed July 13, 2015 at: http://anncoffeymp.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Real-Voices-Final.pdf Year: 2014 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://anncoffeymp.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Real-Voices-Final.pdf Shelf Number: 136012 Keywords: Child ProstitutionChild Sexual Abuse Child Sexual Exploitation |
Author: Ohlsen, Sarah Title: Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children: A Status Report for our Jurisdiction Summary: Multnomah County Sheriff's Office (MCSO) actively works to identify and maintain a list of individuals who are suspected of trafficking within our community. As of October 13, 2014, there have been 421 individuals identified. MCSO has continuously improved their efforts at identification. They also have developed strong partnerships with other law enforcement agencies, probation officers, and prosecutors, and that collaboration may lead to information that leads to better identification. Overall, an increase in identification may simply mean we know more of the trafficking population each year. Details: Portland, OR: Multnomah County, 2015. 27p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 5, 2015 at: https://multco.us/file/38173/download Year: 2015 Country: United States URL: https://multco.us/file/38173/download Shelf Number: 136312 Keywords: Child PornographyChild ProstitutionChild Sex AbuseChild Sexual ExploitationChild Trafficking |
Author: Kasalwe, Ruth Y. Title: Bridging the Gap Between Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children and Responses from Law Enforcement Summary: Commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC) has become a growing crime in most cities in the United States, particularly Atlanta. There seems to be a gap between these types of crime and how law enforcement responds to them. This paper discussed why Atlanta has attracted such a crime and how local law enforcement is dealing with the issue, as well as current laws that are in place to combat this crime. In particular, this study will answer two main questions: (1) Why is Metro Atlanta a hotspot for CSEC? (2) How can local law enforcement better respond to CSEC? The study found that Atlanta's major airport and roadways make the city accessible to exploiters. CSEC is taking place at sporting events, trade shows and other such gatherings, which bring an influx of people to the city. The internet is another tool that exploiters are using to target vulnerable children. There is also CSEC activity happening in hotels and motels, and high crime areas. The study found that law enforcement desperately need more resources to effectively combat CSEC. Victims of CSEC are mistrusting of law enforcement, which hampers the effective treatment and delivery of services. The findings indicate that law enforcement rely on partnerships with social service providers to stop CSEC, and to ensure the safety of CSEC victims. This study also offers policy recommendations to law enforcement in an attempt to bridge the gap between CSEC and law enforcement responses. Details: Kennesaw, GA: Kennesaw State University, 2014. 85p. Source: Internet Resource: Theses: Accessed August 5, 2015 at: http://digitalcommons.kennesaw.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1631&context=etd Year: 2014 Country: United States URL: http://digitalcommons.kennesaw.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1631&context=etd Shelf Number: 136327 Keywords: Child ProstitutionChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual Exploitation |
Author: ECPAT International Title: The Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children in the Commonwealth of Independent States: Developments, progress, challenges and recommended strategies for civil society Summary: The Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) is a loose association of nine states formed after the break-up of the Soviet Union in 1991. The resulting political, economic and social upheaval led to progress in some areas, such as poverty reduction. But not all children benefit equally: rural-urban disparities have resulted in the marginalisation of - and often discrimination against - some groups of children, such as Roma and other ethnic minorities, left-behind children of migrant workers and the internally displaced. Combined with consumerism, the rapid expansion of cyber-technology, increased tourism and migration and persistent gender discrimination, these inequalities create a favourable environment for Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC) in the region. Throughout the region poverty leads parents to push their children to earn money; criminals take advantage by recruiting and exploiting children in the sex trade. Offenders run minimal risk of punishment due to widespread lack of awareness of CSEC and easily corrupted officials. Other push factors for CSEC include sexualisation of children in the media, pervasive child abuse in homes and low levels of education. HIV infection rates are rising rapidly in the CIS, especially among young people. Despite increasing concern over CSEC, governments in CIS countries have generally made only limited efforts to address this serious violation of children's rights. Civil society groups such as ECPAT often fill the void, taking responsibility for prevention and protection efforts. In this context, a "Regional Consultation on Action to Stop the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children in CIS & Eastern Europe" was held in Sofia, Bulgaria on 25-27 May, 2014, bringing together child rights experts, representatives of regional organisations, young people and leaders of ECPAT member organisations. Participants formulated and agreed upon the list of priority actions to advance child protection from sexual exploitation in Eastern Europe and CIS countries elaborated in this Overview. Details: Bangkok, Thailand: ECPAT International, 2014. 76p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 24, 2015 at: http://www.ecpat.net/sites/default/files/Regional%20CSEC%20Overview_CIS%20(English).pdf Year: 2014 Country: International URL: http://www.ecpat.net/sites/default/files/Regional%20CSEC%20Overview_CIS%20(English).pdf Shelf Number: 137323 Keywords: Child PornographyChild ProstitutionChild Sex TourismChild Sex TraffickingChild Sexual Exploitation |
Author: Shared Hope International Title: JuST Response State System Mapping Report. A Review of Current Statutes, Systems, and Services Responses to Juvenile Sex Trafficking Summary: While there is growing recognition at the federal, state and local levels that youth caught in the commercial sex industry are victims1 of exploitation rather than willing participants in criminal activity, in the 15 years since the Trafficking Victims Protection Action (TVPA) of 2000 was enacted, the majority of state prostitution laws have remained at odds with the federal definition of a juvenile sex trafficking victim. Only recently have state agencies that regularly interact with juvenile sex trafficking victims begun to screen the youth they serve for possible commercial sexual exploitation, and even when victims are screened, staff may lack the training to accurately identify trafficking. Yet another barrier arises when victims are identified but appropriate services are not available, leaving overburdened state agencies with an impossible task of connecting a victim to services that do not exist, or the multiple individuals and agencies working with this population are left to develop protocols in silos, resulting in victims touching multiple systems with no coordinated response. These types of barriers and challenges have both negatively and positively impacted the discussion of how states should respond to juvenile sex trafficking victims. While increased understanding of the impact of trauma on juvenile victims has generated pressure to develop solutions, there is a lack of clear agreement on best practices in responding to this population, leaving states without clear guidance on how to develop a system that avoids re-traumatization while addressing the unique needs of individual victims. This lack of guidance may prompt states to avoid developing a response until best practices are identified; however, a wait-and-see approach leaves the urgent and extensive needs of this victim population unaddressed. Enacting laws intended to protect victims without a deep understanding of the implementation challenges risks undermining the purpose of those laws, or risks establishing laws that are never put into practice. On the other hand, if states allow the complexity of the issue to deter action, vulnerable youth will continue to face the trauma of exploitation and punishment through the delinquency process instead of having access to critically needed services. This tension between the complexity of this issue and the critical need for solutions has led approximately half of the states in the country to make efforts to enact laws that change their response to victims, while other states have implemented non-statutory protocols in response. The unique policy and resource landscape in each state also contributes to the great diversity in how states are responding to juvenile sex trafficking victims. Within that diversity, however, trends are emerging and the nascent development of protective responses across the country provides a unique opportunity for creativity and collaborative learning, from the local jurisdictional level to the national level. Some states have begun the process of reviewing their laws, agency protocols and service options in a collaborative manner that helps create streamlined coordinated responses to identify exploited youth and connect them to the most appropriate services that avoid re-traumatization and, through ongoing assessment and support, promote their individualized long term success. This type of response - what Shared Hope has termed a JuST (Juvenile Sex Trafficking) Response - recognizes that achieving a comprehensive protective system response in any state is a complex and long-term process, taking into account the individual policy and services landscape in each state or jurisdiction. This report discusses how several states are shaping effective responses that align with their existing policies. Ideally these examples will offer a learning experience and inspire policy makers, advocates and service providers across the nation to creativity and action. Details: Vancouver, WA: Shared Hope International, 2015. 99p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 10, 2016 at: http://sharedhope.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/JuST-Response-Mapping-Report-Final-web.pdf Year: 2015 Country: United States URL: http://sharedhope.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/JuST-Response-Mapping-Report-Final-web.pdf Shelf Number: 0 Keywords: Child ProstitutionChild Sexual ExploitationChild TraffickingHuman TraffickingJuvenile Sex TraffickingSex Trafficking |
Author: Shared Hope International Title: Demanding Justice Arizona. A Field Assessment of Demand Deterrence and Enforcement and Justice for Victims Summary: Experts estimate that the crime of juvenile sex trafficking impacts thousands of youth in America each year, yet many cases remain unidentified or unreported. The commercial sex industry conforms to the basic economic principle of supply and demand - demand for sex acts with children drives traffickers to supply victims for profit. In order to effectively reduce the prevalence of child sex trafficking, the element that makes it a profitable venture for traffickers - demand - must be aggressively deterred. In 2014, Shared Hope International conducted a research project on the subject of demand for sex with minors. The study consisted of a desk review followed by quantitative research in four geographic areas, including Maricopa County in Arizona, of instances where buyers1 were identified. Using police and court records, this targeted research tracked the cases of identified buyers from arrest to prosecution and sentencing. This Field Assessment is a qualitative aspect of the project focused specifically on Arizona. It was designed to gather perspectives from a broad variety of stakeholders to assess the current attitudes, knowledge and practice toward demand deterrence, enforcement of anti-demand laws and the many aspects of justice for juvenile sex trafficking victims. A total of 78 individuals from 44 organizations participated in the research through interviews and three focus group discussions convened by Shared Hope with survivors of sex trafficking and law enforcement agents. Participants represented five stakeholder populations: non-governmental organizations and community service providers; law enforcement entities; prosecutorial entities; government entities and survivors. Concerted efforts to address child sex trafficking, and specifically demand for child victims, have been in effect for years in Arizona, making it a prime destination to conduct this Field Assessment. The research is intended to illuminate successful practices and key barriers to assist Arizona professionals in strengthening the local response to trafficking and to inform national efforts. Details: Vancouver, WA: Shared Hope International, 2015. 62p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 10, 2016 at: http://sharedhope.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/DJP_Arizona-Field-Assessment_optimized.pdf Year: 2015 Country: United States URL: http://sharedhope.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/DJP_Arizona-Field-Assessment_optimized.pdf Shelf Number: 137825 Keywords: Child ProstitutionChild Sexual Exploitation Child Trafficking Human Trafficking Juvenile Sex Trafficking Sex Trafficking |
Author: Research in Practice Title: Working Effectively to Address Child Sexual Exploitation: An evidence scope Summary: This evidence scope draws on knowledge from research, practitioner expertise and young people's experience to identify the barriers to dealing with CSE, and the approaches and interventions that can make a difference to young people. The scope, accompanied by an executive summary, examines different models of CSE, how risks and needs are identified and assessed, and what interventions appear to be most promising. It offers six key principles for service design and practice development, highlighting the importance of young-person-centred practice and participatory approaches, considering what might be most effective in terms of early help and education, as well as focusing on the critical issue of how to ensure multi-agency working, and what support the workforce needs. Details: Dartington Hall, Totnes, UK: Research in Practice, 2015. 107p., app. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 17, 2016 at: https://www.rip.org.uk/resources/publications/evidence-scopes/working-effectively-to-address-child-sexual-exploitation-evidence-scope-2015/ Year: 2015 Country: United Kingdom URL: https://www.rip.org.uk/resources/publications/evidence-scopes/working-effectively-to-address-child-sexual-exploitation-evidence-scope-2015/ Shelf Number: 137873 Keywords: Child PornographyChild ProstitutionChild ProtectionChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual ExploitationSex Offenders |
Author: Greater London Authority Title: Confronting Child Sexual Exploitation in London Summary: Child sexual exploitation (CSE) is not new, but recent high profile investigations and criminal trials have raised awareness of the possible widespread nature of these offences and the gravity of their impact. Professor Alexis Jay's report, the Independent Inquiry into child sexual exploitation in Rotherham (the Jay Report), and cases such as those in Rochdale, Oxford and Derby, have uncovered the previously hidden scale and organised nature of much CSE. Our investigation examines London's approach to safeguarding children in the light of the lessons that can be learned from tackling CSE in Rotherham. There is an expectation that the local response to CSE is led by Local Safeguarding Children Boards (LSCBs). LSCBs have a statutory duty to bring agencies together to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. They have a range of functions and play a key role in developing local safeguarding children policy and procedures and scrutinising local arrangements - including CSE. The multi-agency London Safeguarding Children Board provides strategic advice and support to London's 32 LSCBs. Its membership is made up of representatives from London boroughs, police, health, probation and independent, voluntary and community agencies in London. We would welcome assurance from London's Directors of Children's Services, the lead professionals responsible for the provision of children's services in London, the London Safeguarding Children Board and LSCBs that all London boroughs have robust mechanisms in place to protect London's children and young people from CSE. No one knows the true scale of CSE. The Jay Report made a conservative estimate that approximately 1,400 children were sexually exploited in Rotherham over the 16 year inquiry period. The Met anticipates it will receive between 1,800 and 2,000 referrals a year. From January 2014 to October 2014, the Met reported 1,612 referrals of CSE, including 265 positive interventions and 55 detections. High profile cases of CSE have raised concerns about how the police and other services work together to respond to CSE. The Jay Report documented a number of ways the police and partner agencies failed to prevent abuse or prioritise dealing with CSE in Rotherham and the Serious Case Review into CSE in Oxfordshire reported multiple missed opportunities by agencies to act rigorously. Rotherham had many policies and plans to tackle CSE. However, inspection reports describe how children's social care was typically understaffed, overstretched and struggling to cope with demand. Thresholds for action were identified as very high and there were significant weaknesses in scrutiny and challenge within Rotherham's governance system. Professionals ignored warnings about the scale of CSE and failed to recognise and believe victims and young people at risk of CSE. Similarly, the Serious Case Review in Oxfordshire found that it took agencies too long to recognise CSE, used language that blamed the victims, and a lack of understanding led to insufficient inquiry. Many London boroughs have made significant developments in their response to CSE over the past few years. Policies and procedures have been developed, multi-agency groups have been established, and investment in training increased. The Met has shown positive progress in developing its approach to CSE. In February 2014, the Met launched The London Child Sexual Exploitation Protocol. The protocol sets out the procedures for the Met and partner agencies for safeguarding and protecting children from sexual exploitation. Our report, Keeping London's children safe welcomed the protocol and recommended the Met should review the evidence and impact of the CSE Protocol on reporting and identifying CSE in London, and the level of resource dedicated to tackling CSE. The Met told us it has scheduled a review of the Pan-London CSE Protocol to start in January 2015 and will also publish a good practice guide. CSE is not a MOPAC 7 priority.6 We were told that as borough police are not measured on CSE it becomes less of a "priority" in some areas. This is a concern. MOPAC is establishing a performance monitoring framework for crimes that fall out of the MOPAC - However, while the Met has made progress in recording CSE data, MOPAC is yet to establish its performance monitoring framework. MOPAC must set out a clear performance monitoring framework for holding the Met to account on its safeguarding children duties, including CSE, as a matter of urgency. National guidance requires local areas to have appropriate policies and procedures in place to tackle CSE. We found that CSE is a strategic priority for London boroughs and the challenge is to ensure boroughs work together to deliver a system that can effectively implement strategies, plans and protocols to tackle CSE and safeguard children across the whole of London. Strategies, policies and procedures need to be robustly monitored and regularly reviewed to ensure effectiveness. While Rotherham had good inter-agency CSE policies and procedures, members of the Safeguarding Board rarely checked whether they were being implemented or effective. Strong leadership and full commitment from partner agencies is essential. We ask that LSCBs have robust governance mechanisms in place to ensure effective monitoring, oversight and regular review of the local response to CSE. This should include well-defined links with other safeguarding children strategies and robust reporting structures between the LSCB and the Community Safety Partnership and Children's Board. Agencies must work together to tackle CSE. While we are encouraged by local arrangements and the progress made by the police, local authorities and other partners that have come together to tackle CSE, partnership working is one area where further work is required. Details: London: Greater London Authority, 2015. 37p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 18, 2016 at: https://www.london.gov.uk/sites/default/files/gla_migrate_files_destination/Confronting%20CSE%20in%20London%20-%20final.pdf Year: 2015 Country: United Kingdom URL: https://www.london.gov.uk/sites/default/files/gla_migrate_files_destination/Confronting%20CSE%20in%20London%20-%20final.pdf Shelf Number: 137878 Keywords: Child PornographyChild ProstitutionChild ProtectionChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual ExploitationChild WelfareInteragency Cooperation |
Author: Cheon, Hyunjung Title: Police Estimates of Sex Trafficking: Venues, Trends, and Data Sources Summary: Over the past two decades, United States policymakers and the public have become increasingly aware of and concerned about the trafficking of persons for commercial sex. In 2000, the federal government passed the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA). Since then, law enforcement agencies at all levels have engaged in identifying and responding to sex trafficking problems. Estimates of the prevalence of U.S. sex trafficking vary, depending on the data sources used. Most estimates of the magnitude of sex trafficking in this country are made by federal entities. Relatively little is known, however, about the sources of information actually used by local police agencies to assess and understand sex trafficking problems in their own communities. To help fill that gap, the Center for Violence Prevention and Community Safety at Arizona State University, with the support of the McCain Institute, surveyed a sample of local police agencies across the country, seeking to understand (a) their estimation of the magnitude of sex trafficking problems in their jurisdictions in 2014, (b) their perceptions of the nature of the local problems, (c) the sources of information relied upon to assess and form perceptions of those problems, and (d) their experience in addressing sex trafficking issues. Seventy-two of the largest municipal police agencies in the U.S. completed the survey. The following are the key findings from their responses: - The majority of respondents indicated that the magnitude of the sex trafficking problem in the various venues in their communities (i.e., massage parlors, escort agencies, adult clubs, brothels, non-licensed cantinas) was relatively unchanged over time. More than 80 percent reported, however, that the rate of online sex advertising was increasing. - For sex trafficking of juveniles, online sex advertising was the most prevalent venue. - Sex trafficking victims were most likely to be female and aged 18 to 24 years; the United States was most commonly their country of origin. Details: Phoenix, AZ: Center for Violence Prevention & Community Safety, Arizona State University, 2015. 59p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 12, 2016 at: http://cvpcs.asu.edu/sites/default/files/content/products/CVPCS-PoliceEstimatesOfSexTrafficking.pdf Year: 2015 Country: United States URL: http://cvpcs.asu.edu/sites/default/files/content/products/CVPCS-PoliceEstimatesOfSexTrafficking.pdf Shelf Number: 138192 Keywords: Child ProstitutionChild Sex TraffickingChild Sexual ExploitationHuman TraffickingProstitutionSex TraffickingSexual ExploitationSocial Media |
Author: Atella, Julie Title: Safe Harbor: First Year Evaluation Report Summary: In 2013, the state of Minnesota made the largest state investment in the provision of services for sexually exploited youth nationwide, funding a portion of the No Wrong Door framework. The MDH uses the following working definition of Minor Commercial Sexual Exploitation (MCSE) to inform its work in this area: MCSE occurs when someone under the age of 18 engages in commercial sexual activity. A commercial sexual activity occurs when anything of value or a promise of anything of value (e.g., money, drugs, food, shelter, rent, or higher status in a gang or group) is given to a person by any means in exchange for any type of sexual activity. A third party may or may not be involved. The No Wrong Door model also outlined eight values and philosophies that should inform its implementation: - Since commercial sexually exploited children and youth may not self-identify, it is essential that those who come into contact with children and youth be trained to identify sexual exploitation and know where to refer for services. - Youth who are commercial sexually exploited are victims of a crime. - Victims should not feel afraid, trapped, or isolated. - Services must be trauma-informed and responsive to individual needs (gender-responsive, culturally competent, age-appropriate, and supportive for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and questioning youth). - Services must be available across the state. - Youth have a right to privacy and self-determination. - Services must be based in positive youth development. - Sexual exploitation can be prevented. The No Wrong Door framework itself was based on the following assumptions, which are meant to guide the framework's implementation. First, whenever possible, existing programs should be used to provide services to victims and service providers must be fully funded to work with victims (including homeless, domestic violence, and sexual assault service providers). Second, when possible, peer and survivor frameworks and supports should be made available to sexually exploited youth. Third, services should be multidisciplinary and coordinated, including law enforcement and service providers working together to identify and serve victims and prosecute traffickers and purchasers. Fourth, holding commercial sexually exploited youth victims in detention is undesirable and should only be accessed for safety purposes if all other safety measures have failed. Lastly, providers working with victims must be screened for criminal offenses to help ensure youth are safe and must have proper experience and training to effectively establish healthy, positive relationships with youth. Details: St. Paul, MN: Wilder Research, 2015. 46p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 22, 2016 at: https://www.wilder.org/Wilder-Research/Publications/Studies/Safe%20Harbor/Safe%20Harbor%20First%20Year%20Evaluation%202015.pdf Year: 2015 Country: United States URL: https://www.wilder.org/Wilder-Research/Publications/Studies/Safe%20Harbor/Safe%20Harbor%20First%20Year%20Evaluation%202015.pdf Shelf Number: 138382 Keywords: Child PornographyChild ProstitutionChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual ExploitationVictim Services |
Author: Leon, Lucy Title: Boys Don't Cry: Improving identification and disclosure of sexual exploitation among boys and young men trafficked to the UK Summary: Knowledge and awareness of human trafficking has increased in recent years, prompting the Government to introduce a Modern Slavery Act, which received Royal Assent in March 2015, and was intended to drive a more effective response to modern slavery and human trafficking. Recognition of the scale of child trafficking into, as well as within the, UK has also grown as implementation of the National Referral Mechanism1 has revealed the numbers of children and young people being trafficked into the UK. At the same time - although as a separate development - there has been a burgeoning recognition of child sexual exploitation across the country with inquiries taking place in Rochdale, Rotherham, Oxford and other towns that have exposed the extent of a previously hidden crime. Anecdotally, professionals in the field of child trafficking have identified links between the two issues - including the movement of young people into the UK specifically for sexual exploitation, and the targeting of unaccompanied asylum seeking children who have been placed in local authority care for trafficking within the country for sexual exploitation. Despite these developments - and an acknowledgement that these children are amongst the most vulnerable in the country - there remains a danger that attention, and action, will hone in on some aspects to the detriment of others. The focus for policy and practice around child sexual exploitation and trafficking has predominantly been on girls and young women. However, recent research and our practice experience has identified a need to look at how boys and young men are affected. This report specifically focusses on the needs of boys and young men who are trafficked into the UK, not those who are trafficked within the UK. The findings presented here will improve understanding of a complex and often obscured issue and can inform the work of those who support trafficked boys and young men. Details: London: The Children's Society, 2016. 80p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 9, 2016 at: http://www.childrenssociety.org.uk/sites/default/files/boys-and-trafficking-report-lowres-pcr059.pdf Year: 2016 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.childrenssociety.org.uk/sites/default/files/boys-and-trafficking-report-lowres-pcr059.pdf Shelf Number: 138615 Keywords: Child ProstitutionChild ProtectionChild Sexual ExploitationChild TraffickingMale Victims |
Author: Shared Hope International Title: Non-Criminalization of Juvenile Sex Trafficking Victims Summary: Fifteen years after the Trafficking Victims Protection Act set the benchmark for identifying commercially sexually exploited minors as victims of sex trafficking, the vast majority of state prostitution laws continue to criminalize, penalize and stigmatize juvenile sex trafficking victims as offenders under prostitution laws. Consequently, punishing commercially sexually exploited4 minors creates social and legal contradictions that undermine the fight against juvenile sex trafficking - further harming victims and hindering a needed shift in cultural attitudes. Resolving the conflicts created by criminalizing juvenile sex trafficking victims is not merely a matter of legal theory but an imminent concern for juvenile sex trafficking victims who daily endure trauma caused by their exploitation. In developing protective responses and avenues to connect youth to services rather than punishment, determining how to eliminate the criminalization of juveniles for conduct that is inherently non-criminal remains a fundamental, indispensable element of this effort. Details: Vancouver, WA: Shared Hope International, 2016. 6p. Source: Internet Resource: JUST Response Policy Paper: Accessed April 14, 2016 at: http://sharedhope.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/JUSTRESPONSE-POLICY-PAPER-NON-CRIMINALIZATION-OF-JUVENILE-SEX-TRAFFICKING-VICTIMS.pdf Year: 2016 Country: United States URL: http://sharedhope.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/JUSTRESPONSE-POLICY-PAPER-NON-CRIMINALIZATION-OF-JUVENILE-SEX-TRAFFICKING-VICTIMS.pdf Shelf Number: 138674 Keywords: Child ProstitutionChild Sexual ExploitationJuvenile Sex Trafficking |
Author: Shared Hope International Title: Justice for Juveniles: Exploring Non-Criminal Response Mechanisms for Child Sex Trafficking Summary: The Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) clearly defines anyone under the age of 18 induced to perform a commercial sex act as a victim of human trafficking. Since its passage in 2000, 14 states and the District of Columbia have aligned with federal policy by ensuring that their prostitution laws criminalizing the sale of sex do not apply to minors. In states that still have the ability to charge children for the crime of selling sex under their prostitution statutes or for other crimes committed while being trafficked, some local jurisdictions have adopted policies prohibiting application of these laws when a minor is the subject. The Uniform Act on the Prevention of and Remedies for Human Trafficking (Uniform Act), which was approved for adoption by the states by the Uniform Law Commission in 2013, also eliminates criminal liability for minors for prostitution and related offenses. This shift in policy, and in some locations, practice, has led to a widely accepted understanding that commercially sexually exploited children are victims, not perpetrators, of prostitution and trafficking related crimes. This in turn has created a shift in child serving agency responses to identified victims - from directing exploited youth into delinquency proceedings to directing them into trauma-informed services. However, shifting toward a non-criminal response to child sex trafficking victims remains fraught with complicated questions regarding how to protect exploited youth and connect them to services. Because of the challenges associated with providing services, the field is rushing to find solutions that protect, empower and support youth who have been trafficked. This field guidance will explore implementation of non-criminalization policies and statutes, looking to identify promising trends and avenues to overcome current system challenges and safety concerns. We are grateful to the JuST Response Council members who contributed to this paper and hope it will serve as a resource to those in the field seeking a more robust system that will help juvenile sex trafficking victims avoid the re-traumatization of a misguided system response and connect them instead to a continuum of care that will empower them to achieve a life free from exploitation. Details: Vancouver, WA: Shared Hope International, 2016. 19p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 14, 2016 at: http://sharedhope.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/NonCriminal-Response-Mechanisms-Field-Guidance.pdf Year: 2016 Country: United States URL: http://sharedhope.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/NonCriminal-Response-Mechanisms-Field-Guidance.pdf Shelf Number: 138675 Keywords: Child ProstitutionChild Sex TraffickingChild Sexual ExploitationJuvenile Sex Trafficking |
Author: Davy, Deanna Title: Transnational Advocacy Networks in Campaigning: The Campaign against Child Sex Trafficking in the Mekong Subregion Summary: The rapidly expanding market in enslaved children bought and sold for sex is one of the worst transnational crimes that appear to have been facilitated by globalisation and its many effects, such as growing disparity in wealth between North and South. Child sex trafficking has become one of the most highly publicised social issues of our time and, due to its global nature, transnational anti-trafficking advocacy networks are well placed and central to lead campaigns against it. Transnational advocacy networks (TANs) in the GMS have been integrally involved in the formation of child sex trafficking policy agendas through their involvement in transnational networks and transnational campaigns and in working with governments and the private sector. Cosmopolitan anti-trafficking advocacy in these countries has led to significant progress in the Mekong Subregion by bringing the child trafficking issue onto the global social policy agenda, resulting in new child protection legislation and improved inter-agency collaboration in the region. This PhD research focuses on the politics, processes and effectiveness of transnational anti-trafficking advocacy networks in Thailand and Cambodia. Central questions in this study are addressed. For example, how and why do anti-trafficking advocacy networks evolve? What is the 'glue' that binds network partners and sustains network connections over time? How do networks measure the perceived 'effectiveness' of the networks' advocacy on the problem of child trafficking in the Southeast Asia region? How does North-South collaboration, and contention, and other aspects of network politics contribute to TAN effectiveness? Research into this area is important for improving our understanding of the internal processes, mechanisms and politics and TANs, and the sustainability and effectiveness of anti-trafficking advocacy networks in combating transnational crime and promoting social justice. This research addresses the above questions through an analysis of the politics and typologies of transnational anti child trafficking advocacy networks operating in Thailand and Cambodia. Using a cosmopolitan framework the research analyses data from twenty-two semi-structured interviews with experts from anti-trafficking advocacy networks in the GMS. Details: Sydney: University of Sydney, 2012. 359p. Source: Internet Resource: Dissertation: Accessed May 3, 2016 at: http://ses.library.usyd.edu.au/bitstream/2123/8939/1/DAVY%20DEANNA%20PHD%20THESIS.pdf Year: 2012 Country: Asia URL: http://ses.library.usyd.edu.au/bitstream/2123/8939/1/DAVY%20DEANNA%20PHD%20THESIS.pdf Shelf Number: 138900 Keywords: Child Human TraffickingChild ProstitutionChild Sex TraffickingChild Sexual ExploitationHuman Trafficking |
Author: Swaner, Rachel Title: Youth Involvement in the Sex Trade: A National Study Summary: This report presents findings from nearly 1,000 youth interviews conducted across six sites, a population estimate for underage youth in the sex trade in the United States, arrest patterns and prosecution and recidivism outcomes for these youth when they encounter the juvenile or criminal justice systems, and findings from interviews with service providers and police officers. The findings revealed that youth who are engaged in the sex trade are a diverse population in their identities and experiences. More than three-quarters of those interviewed had their first experience in the sex trade when they were under the age of 18. Many reported having complex social relationships and collaborations with others in the underground economy. Notably, the most pressing need identified by both the youth and service providers was for safe housing. Details: New York: Center for Court Innovation, 2016. 165p, Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 11, 2016 at: http://www.courtinnovation.org/sites/default/files/documents/Youth%20Involvement%20in%20the%20Sex%20Trade_3.pdf Year: 2016 Country: United States URL: http://www.courtinnovation.org/sites/default/files/documents/Youth%20Involvement%20in%20the%20Sex%20Trade_3.pdf Shelf Number: 138994 Keywords: Child ProstitutionJuvenile Prostitution Juvenile Sexual Exploitation |
Author: Jones, Nikki Title: Experiences of Youth in the Sex Trade in the Bay Area Summary: This study in San Francisco and Oakland, Calif. included 136 interviews with youth engaged in the sex trade. Findings show that young people's involvement in the sex trade mostly fell into three categories: pimps, renegades, and street kids. Although the Bay Area site saw the highest percentage of youth working with pimps (29%) as compared to the other five sites in the study, the large majority of those interviewed were identified as "renegades" - a term used to describe individuals who work on their own without anyone to facilitate their involvement in the sex trade. The third group, "street kids," typically reported engaging in sex work sporadically, as necessary to meet immediate needs for money or shelter, and understood their involvement in sexual exchanges as one among a range of "hustles" they use to get by. Details: New York: Center for Court Innovation, 2016. 38p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 11, 2016 at: http://www.courtinnovation.org/sites/default/files/documents/Bay%20Area_2.pdf Year: 2016 Country: United States URL: http://www.courtinnovation.org/sites/default/files/documents/Bay%20Area_2.pdf Shelf Number: 139000 Keywords: Child ProstitutionJuvenile Prostitution Juvenile Sexual Exploitation |
Author: Hawken, Angela Title: Offenders on the Move: Global Study on Sexual Exploitation of Children in Travel and Tourism Summary: More children are at risk of sexual exploitation than ever before, particularly in travel and tourism, a two-year global study by ECPAT has revealed. The report, entitled Offenders on the Move: Global Study on Sexual Exploitation of Children in Travel and Tourism 2016, has found that an increase in global tourism and improved accessibility of information technology have escalated the threat of sexual exploitation in every country in the world. Children in the UK and Europe, long seen as source countries for travelling child sex offenders, have also experienced an increased risk of sexual abuse by foreign and in-country travelling offenders. The study cites more than 60 reports from around the world on regional trends and institutional responses, building one of the most comprehensive analyses of sexual exploitation of children in travel and tourism. It notes that persistent power imbalances, corporate travel culture, community-based tourism, weak child protection commitments and institutional silence have fuelled the risks posed to children by travelling offenders, whether "situational" or "preferential". Details: Bangkok, Thailand: ECPAT International, 2016. 154p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 20, 2016 at: http://www.ecpatusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Global-Report-Offenders-on-the-Move-Final.pdf Year: 2016 Country: International URL: http://www.ecpatusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Global-Report-Offenders-on-the-Move-Final.pdf Shelf Number: 139120 Keywords: Child ProstitutionChild Sexual ExploitationSex Tourism |
Author: Beaulieu, Catherine Title: Global Study on Sexual Exploitation of Children in Travel and Tourism. Regional Report: North America Summary: The travel and tourism industry plays an important role in the region's economies, contributing CA$84.3 billion (4.5%) to Canada's GDP; in the U.S the industry yielded around US$2.16 trillion. In 2013 Americans spent US$748 billion on domestic travel, a figure expected to reach US$903 billion by 2017. A main concern in relation to SECTT is the extensive infrastructure available (multiple lodging and transportation alternatives), providing an enabling environment for travelling child sex offenders (TCSOs), including foreign tourists and domestic travellers. Both countries "send" TCSOs, particularly to Latin America and the Caribbean, and appear to also be becoming destinations: TCSOs from Europe have been identified in both countries. Both foreign TCSOs in the region and North Americans abroad abuse positions as teachers, volunteers or humanitarian workers and engage in volun-tourism to find victims. American and Canadian offenders have victimised children in orphanages in countries as diverse as Cambodia, Haiti, Honduras, Kenya and Nepal. Details: Bangkok, Thailand: ECPAT International, 2016. 76p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 20, 2016 at: http://www.ecpatusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Regional-Report-North-America.pdf Year: 2016 Country: International URL: http://www.ecpatusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Regional-Report-North-America.pdf Shelf Number: 139121 Keywords: Child ProstitutionChild Sexual ExploitationSex Tourism |
Author: ECPAT International Title: Global Study on Sexual Exploitation of Children in Travel and Tourism: Regional Report: Southeast Asia Summary: In 2014, Southeast Asia had the fastest growth in tourism worldwide. SECTT by foreigners was first highlighted here, sparking global efforts to combat the crime. Traditional destinations such as Thailand and the Philippines still attract TCSOs, while Cambodia, Indonesia and Vietnam are becoming key destinations and Myanmar is at risk as it opens up to tourists. While the focus has long been on foreign tourists, male nationals account for the vast majority of offenders. Special Economic and Free Trade Zones in some countries have been identified as locations for SECTT and the region is seeing more webcam-based child sex tourism. No country has a specific plan or designated agency to tackle SECTT. Details: Bangkok, Thailand: ECPAT International, 2016. 96p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 26, 2016 at: http://globalstudysectt.org/category/regional/southeast-asia/ Year: 2016 Country: Asia URL: http://globalstudysectt.org/category/regional/southeast-asia/ Shelf Number: 139224 Keywords: Child ProstitutionChild Sex TourismSex TourismSexual Exploitation |
Author: ECPAT International Title: Global Study on Sexual Exploitation of Children in Travel and Tourism. Country Specific Report: South Africa Summary: At the First World Congress Against Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC) in Stockholm in 1996, governments first recognised the commercial sexual exploitation of children in travel and tourism (CSECTT) as a global crime of epidemic proportion. Since then, much work has been done by international organisations, governments and tourism stakeholders to combat CSECTT. The increasing cross-border movement of people, consumerism, globalisation and new technologies, however, have enabled CSECTT to evolve and manifest in new forms. Often a high influx of tourists and travellers increases the problem, especially in developing countries where poverty and socio-economic inequalities are persistent. Some African countries are considered emerging tourism destinations for child sexual offenders. It is difficult to obtain statistics or figures on the scale and scope of such violations due to the lack of studies or research as well as the hidden nature of the phenomenon. According to ECPAT International's African network members, South Africa is one of the countries most affected by CSECTT in the African region. ECPAT Germany, in cooperation with Bread for the World and Fair Trade Tourism (FTT), published a report entitled Don't Look Away: Be Aware and Report the Sexual Exploitation of Children in Travel and Tourism in December 2013. This assessment of CSECTT, the first of its kind in South Africa, provides an overview of the problem in the country's tourism industry. This report is intended to strengthen the Don't Look Away report and thus enhance efforts to protect children from being sexually exploited by travellers and tourists. As part of the research to develop this supplementing report, key stakeholders from the child protection, public and tourism sectors in five provinces of South Africa were interviewed for their perceptions of the extent of CESCTT in South African tourism as well associated public, private and civil society responses. The report is divided into five sections. The first looks at the methodology used to collect data for the report, while the second section identifies limitations and associated implications for the study and defines and reviews relevant terminology in relation to CSECTT in South Africa. The third section focuses on stakeholders' perceptions and opinions of CSECTT in South Africa. It looks at whether CSECTT is considered by respondents to be an issue, their views on which children are vulnerable to becoming victims of the crime and impressions of potential offenders as well as their opinions on the role that information and communication technology has in aiding CSECTT. The fourth section presents an overview of the level of awareness and opinions of the respondents on services available to protect and assist victims and their perceptions of the relative strengths and weaknesses of current responses to reports of CSECTT, including the role of the criminal justice system. The final section draws conclusions and recommendations based on the findings of this research to improve the protection of children from CSECTT in South Africa. Details: Pretoria: Fair Trade Tourism, 2015. 50p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 26, 2016 at: http://globalstudysectt.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Country-report-South-Africa.pdf Year: 2015 Country: South Africa URL: http://globalstudysectt.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Country-report-South-Africa.pdf Shelf Number: 139225 Keywords: Child Prostitution Child Sex Tourism Sex Tourism Sexual Exploitation |
Author: Riggio, Eliana Title: Power, Impunity and Anonymity: Understanding the forces driving the demand for sexual exploitation of children Summary: Nearly twenty years ago, when the First World Congress against the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children was held in Stockholm, Sweden (August 1996), the problem of sexual exploitation of children (SEC) facing the international community was imputed to a discrete and well characterised group of offenders: profiled as being mainly men; travelling from Western to developing countries; perceived as affected by forms of psychosexual disorders, such as paedophilia; or displaying other pathologically transgressive behaviours. In the short span of only two decades, SEC has exploded to acquire planetary dimensions, with virtually no region, country or social group, age or sexual inclination being spared by a scourge now recognised as one of the most severe and widespread forms of violence against children. As noted with reference to SEC-related analysis in a report of the UN Special Rapporteur on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography, "the research results exemplify problems that exist in all parts of the world." Today, approaching children for illicit purposes is a highly profitable domestic and international operation, organised on the global market, progressively brokered on the Internet, and supported by powerful criminal networks and businesses. Power imbalance between vulnerable children and abusive adults, impunity and anonymity emerge as the key forces driving the demand for sexual exploitation of children in the rising globalised sex market. While the organisation of the market is global, the demand for SEC is not only international, but also local. In addition to being created by unrelenting flows of travelling perpetrators, demand continues to be generated by local offenders everywhere, as in the case of individuals frequenting commercial sex or entertainment venues where children are available on the fringes, or men buying sex services from children living on the streets in their towns. New information and communication technologies (ICT) appear to be providing unprecedented opportunities to elude controls. In parallel to a stream of people on the move to seek children for sexual exploitation in distant locations, often, circumventing travel agents by booking travel and accommodation online, offenders reach out to their victims via mobile phone and online channels, which distort identities and protect anonymity. As understanding of the demand has deepened, it has become clear that those who engage directly in sexual exploitation of children can be anyone, an indistinct group of offenders that can go largely unnoticed. No longer formed by isolated cases of paedophiles, brutal transgressors, or perpetrators that are completely unknown to the child, demand for SEC may be generated by individuals acting in the circle of trust - a professional, a parent, an educator - making investigation and prosecution even more daunting. It has also been increasingly acknowledged, particularly by civil society organisations and in academic circles, that any strategy aimed to reduce the demand for SEC must necessarily address the complexity of socio-cultural, economic, and political factors that underpin its perpetuation. Details: Bangkok, Thailand: ECPAT International, 2016. 130p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 27, 2016 at: http://www.ecpat.org/wp-content/uploads/legacy/PowerImpunityandAnonymity.pdf Year: 2016 Country: International URL: http://www.ecpat.org/wp-content/uploads/legacy/PowerImpunityandAnonymity.pdf Shelf Number: 139237 Keywords: Child ProstitutionChild Sex TourismChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual Exploitation |
Author: McIntyre, Susan Title: Under the Radar: The Sexual Exploitation of Young Man. Manitoba Edition Summary: In December of 2002, Strolling Away was released. Strolling Away represented a longitudinal retrospective study that examined young people from the sexual exploitation trade in 1991-1992 and then again in 2001-2002. The opportunity to interview individuals 10 years later was valuable. One of its major findings was that we know very little about young men involved in the sexual exploitation trade. The young men I interviewed commented on how my questions were "chick questions". It was clear that we have traditionally looked at this issue through a female lens. It became evident through this study that more research was required in order to understand young men in the sexual exploitation trade. Interviews for Under the Radar: The Sexual Exploitation of Young Men - Manitoba Edition began in March 2006 and wrapped up in January 2007. Forty young men were interviewed in total. All forty interviews occurred in Winnipeg. Characteristics of Respondents - 67% of this population are of Aboriginal heritage - 55% had involvement with the Child Welfare System - Just over 30% had completed high school - 77% had a history of running away - 80% had a history prior to the street of being sexually violated - 87% had been physically violated and witnessed aggression while growing up - 70% entered the sexual exploitation trade under the age of 18 - 15% entered the sexual exploitation trade over the age of 20 - Males entered the sexual exploitation trade younger and stayed longer than young women - Close to 70% experienced staying in shelters - Almost everyone felt no one should do this type of work - The fear of gay-bashing exists - Drug use is extensive - Exiting the sexual exploitation trade is a long process, and is usually attempted more than once - Almost everyone has, and does, access HIV / STD testing Details: Calgary, Alberta: The Hindsight Group, 2008. 130p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed June 10, 2016 at: http://www.gov.mb.ca/fs/traciastrust/pubs/under_the_radar.pdf Year: 2008 Country: Canada URL: http://www.gov.mb.ca/fs/traciastrust/pubs/under_the_radar.pdf Shelf Number: 139359 Keywords: Child ProstitutionMale Sex WorkersMale Sexual Abuse VictimsProstitutionSex CrimesSex WorkersSexual Exploitation |
Author: Barefoot Research and Evaluation Title: Child Sexual Exploitation in the North East and Cumbria Summary: We have been researching the sexual exploitation of both adults and children in the North East and Cumbria since 2006. The studies have been commissioned by Northern Rock Foundation's Safety and Justice for Victims of Abuse Programme and included studies in County Durham, Cleveland, Cumbria and Northumbria Police Force Areas. Their objective was to identify the characteristics and examine the extent of exploitation and also included research into adult exploitation. The findings from the studies served a number of purposes including supporting the Foundation's Safety and Justice grant programme, informing local statutory policy and services and ultimately attempting to improve awareness of, and provision for, exploited children and adults. When we started there were few places in the North East where there was any awareness of Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE), with the exception of Newcastle and Middlesbrough. Our research, which took a knowledge mapping approach, found incidents of CSE in every local authority area across the North East and Cumbria; CSE was a consistent and repetitive finding involving both female and male children, (to a ratio of approximately nine to one) and taking place with children between 12 and 17 years old. Based on our research, we identified a total of 310 females and 41 males who were victims of CSE. The numbers involved in the different local authority areas varied between a low point of 12 children in North Tyneside to a high point of 52 in County Durham. In the main body of the report we present our findings on: patterns of exploitation in the region, including online grooming and off-street exploitation; venues associated with CSE; exploitation and exchanges of resources; and the service response. We also discuss in detail the process of the research, some of the barriers and the methodology which led us to our findings. We found that CSE takes place despite a range of preventative, supportive and enforcement measures. We suspect that the more sophisticated these become, the lower the incidence of exploitation, as seems to be the case in Middlesbrough. Thus, the extent of CSE can be mitigated but not eradicated, as a result of the complex array of push factors (which are related to poverty, family relationships and education). Details: Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK: Northern Rock Foundation. 2015. 34p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed July 23, 2016 at: http://www.nr-foundation.org.uk/downloads/Child_sexual_exploitation_report-Jan16.pdf Year: 2015 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.nr-foundation.org.uk/downloads/Child_sexual_exploitation_report-Jan16.pdf Shelf Number: 139797 Keywords: Child ProstitutionChild Sexual ExploitationOnline Grooming |
Author: Florida. Legislature. Office of Program Policy Analysis & Government Accountability Title: Placement Challenges Persist for Child Victims of Commercial Sexual Exploitation; Questions Regarding Effective Interventions and Outcomes Remain, Summary: A total of 264 verified commercial sexual exploitation child victims (CSE children) were identified in calendar year 2015, more than the 170 identified from July 2013 through December 2014. CSE children are to be placed and served in specialized residential programs, such as safe houses and safe foster homes. However, there are a limited number of these beds and provider criteria exclude some children. Providers report that they deliver consistent statutorily-required services to children, and the Department of Children and Families (DCF) is conducting a review of literature to identify effective interventions for CSE children. Many CSE children we identified in our previous report had since been re-victimized, involved with the criminal justice system, or only attended school intermittently. State agencies, including DCF and the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ), continue working to better identify CSE children through community awareness, training, better information system tracking, and a new screening tool. The Human Trafficking Screening Tool has been released for use but concerns exist; DCF and DJJ should prioritize getting feedback on the screening tool and validating it. Details: Tallahassee: OPPAGA, 2016. 35p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed July 25, 2016 at: http://www.oppaga.state.fl.us/MonitorDocs/Reports/pdf/1604rpt.pdf Year: 2016 Country: United States URL: http://www.oppaga.state.fl.us/MonitorDocs/Reports/pdf/1604rpt.pdf Shelf Number: 139841 Keywords: Child ProstitutionChild Sex TraffickingChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual ExploitationHuman Trafficking |
Author: Cameron, Genevieve Title: Child Sexual Exploitation: A study of international comparisons Summary: The issue of Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) has been the focus of intense discussion, debate and intervention in the UK in recent years. At a summit in March 2015, the Prime Minister described CSE as a 'national threat', and announced that child sexual abuse will be given the same priority by the police as serious and organised crime. A number of high profile cases of CSE have all received national attention, with a series of inquiries, reports and research into what went wrong in local and national systems, how the abuse could have been prevented, and how victims could be better supported in future. This report presents a rapid desk review of international comparisons of CSE, aiming to explore: How is Child Sexual Exploitation defined in selected countries? To what extent is there consistency in the response of public agencies around the world? What can the UK learn from experience elsewhere? Details: Nottingham, UK: Virtual Staff College, 2015. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 6, 2016 at: http://www.virtualstaffcollege.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/CSE_main_final_publish_1.0.pdf Year: 2015 Country: International URL: http://www.virtualstaffcollege.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/CSE_main_final_publish_1.0.pdf Shelf Number: 140024 Keywords: Child PornographyChild ProstitutionChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual Exploitation |
Author: United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Title: 25 Years of Fighting the Sale and Sexual Exploitation of Children: Addressing New Challenges Summary: The last 25 years have witnessed a momentous rise in the knowledge of and awareness given to children victim of sale and sexual exploitation. Yet, significant changes have not taken place, and existing initiatives remain at the legislative or policy level without any effective implementation. This year will mark the twentieth anniversary of the first World Congress against Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children held in Stockholm in 1996. This ground-breaking event was followed by two more congresses in Yokohama in 2001 and in Rio de Janeiro in 2008. Unfortunately, the numerous political commitments made by participating States have remained mostly unfulfilled. There is thus an urgent need for a common strong political will to move forward towards implementation through effective and sustained allocation of the necessary resources. At the international level, there is potential for concrete action with the multiplication of cooperation initiatives such as the Virtual Global Taskforce, the Global Alliance against Child Sexual Abuse Online and the #WePROTECT Children Online Initiative. Though they focus on the sale and sexual exploitation of children online, they could still impact these crimes in the real world. I aim to work specifically on reaching an effective cooperation between these initiatives in order to achieve a better protection of children and prevention of crimes. Since its creation, the mandate of the Special Rapporteur has been underfunded and has operated without a specific budget from the Human Rights Council. This constraint has limited its scope of action. It is essential to seize the opportunity of the renewal of the mandate in 2017 to provide it with sufficient funds, to effectively enable the mandate to maximise its potential. Furthermore, the renewal of the mandate would also be the occasion to recognise the evolutions in terminology in this field and thus modify the name of the mandate of the Special Rapporteur to make it child rights compliant. In September 2015, the international community adopted the Agenda for Sustainable Development, which will guide the work of many stakeholders towards a world free of poverty by 2030. The Agenda has set among its targets the eradication of abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against children by 2030. The international community has thus given itself a clear deadline. We can only hope that ongoing efforts at the international and national levels, including from non-governmental actors, combined with effective political resolve from world leaders and the allocation of necessary resources by States, will finally lead to the eradication of the sale and sexual exploitation of children worldwide. The mandate can make a contribution to what is most important, namely a change of the hearts and the minds of all people in order to give children their due: respect of their human rights. They are vulnerable and underrepresented and thus need more, not less human rights. Details: Geneva: United Nations, 2016. 38p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 3, 2016 at: http://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Issues/Children/SR/25YearsMandate.pdf Year: 2016 Country: International URL: http://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Issues/Children/SR/25YearsMandate.pdf Shelf Number: 140138 Keywords: Child Abuse and Neglect Child Pornography Child ProstitutionChild Protection Child Sexual Exploitation |
Author: ECPAT International Title: Global Study on Sexual Exploitation of Children in Travel and Tourism. Regional Report South Asia Summary: More children than ever are at risk of being sexually exploited by travellers and tourists and no country is immune. Since the early 1990s when evidence came to light that European nationals were sexually abusing and exploiting children in developing countries, sharp increases in travel and tourism have multiplied the opportunities and venues available to travelling child sex offenders worldwide. An emerging destination for international tourists, South Asia recorded an impressive seven percent growth in the arrival of foreign visitors in 2014. Moreover, domestic travel has steadily increased within the region, thanks to a flourishing middle class. Hence, tourism is now a major source of income for many South Asian countries. The increased travel and the explosion of the internet and mobile technology has afforded perpetrators anonymity and hidden pathways to groom children and seduce them via social media and internet games. Likewise, new travel and tourism services like home-stays, voluntourism and the shareconomy have increased this anonymity and heightened children's vulnerability. However, progress has been made since the First World Congress against Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children held in Stockholm in 1996. Twenty years later, world leaders from nearly every country in the world have approved global targets to address the sexual exploitation of children in the Sustainable Development Goals, which replace the Millennium Development Goals from 2016 onwards. Thus, goal 16 of the SDGs, namely to "promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels", is notably to be reached by "ending abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence and torture of children" as stated in Target 16.2. The world has recognised that we cannot allow children to fall victim to this devastating experience, which has life-long consequences on their mental and physical well-being. This report provides an updated picture of the environment in which sexual exploitation of children in travel and tourism persists in South Asia and proposes a set of recommendations to improve government, non-government and private sector responses to prevent and combat this crime. As such, it will assist in the realisation of the Sustainable Development Goals related to children's right to live free from sexual exploitation. After twenty five years of working on the issue, ECPAT cannot emphasise enough how important it is to join efforts and take advantage of multi-sector cooperation to fight this deplorable trend. This report is an open invitation to work with ECPAT and its partners and join the fight against sexual exploitation of children in travel and tourism because together we can eliminate this crime and make childhood safe again. Details: Bangkok: ECPAT International, 2016. 80p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 14, 2016 at: http://globalstudysectt.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Regional-Report-South-Asia.pdf Year: 2016 Country: Asia URL: http://globalstudysectt.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Regional-Report-South-Asia.pdf Shelf Number: 139960 Keywords: Child ProstitutionChild Sex TourismChild Sexual ExploitationSex Tourism |
Author: Bochkor, N.P. Title: Global Study on Sexual Exploitation of Children in Travel and Tourism. County-Specific Report: Ukraine Summary: How did Ukraine appear in the list of countries where commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC) is common? It is difficult to answer, because the problem is hidden and its reasons are comprehensive. Ukraine does not have a chance to solve the problem before it is thoroughly studied. The study "Sexual exploitation of children in Ukraine: situation and counteraction" was conducted by the authors of International Women's Rights Center "La Strada-Ukraine". This work is a part of a global study on sexual exploitation of children in travel and tourism in 15 countries within the framework of the project initiated by ECPAT - Netherlands. The aim of the study is to analyze the current situation with sexual exploitation and violence against children, especially in tourism, pornography, prostitution, trafficking and early marriages, and also develop recommendations to improve it. The study used a variety of methods, such as statistical, sociological, comparative and legal study, empirical methods. One of the basic principles of the study is the respect to children's rights according to the requirements of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Despite the fact that children at first sight often seem to provide sex-services voluntarily, the responsibility lies on the adult who exploits a child by engaging in sexual activities and violates child rights. Other important principles of the study are non-discrimination, equality, human rights approach, and child and youth participation. The research uses the following sources of information: content analysis of the web sites, analysis of legislation and administrative documents of state authorities, secondary analysis of information, desk-research of the related studies conducted in Ukraine. For example, data used for the content analysis consists of different texts obtained online by establishing specific searching parameters. The sample included texts that are topically related to combinations of the following key words: "Ukraine," "sex," "tourism," "women," "dating," "tour," "children," "girls." Furthermore, snowball sampling was used to obtain relevant texts; hypertext links provided access to related articles and comments. The vast majority of studied texts are in English. Publications and reports which were prepared in Ukraine during the last five years were analyzed. Among them - Annual Human Rights Report "Human rights in Ukraine" in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 prepared by nongovernmental organizations; researches conducted by different institutions on the request of UNICEF Ukraine; reports of the Ombudsman for Children under the President of Ukraine etc. Special attention was paid to the desk research of the materials and texts of sociological and criminological studies such as "Child sex tourism in Ukraine: attempt of situational analysis", "Where and how can be assisted victims of domestic abuse? Results of the monitoring of special institutions", "Legal Study to identify inconsistencies between Ukraine national legislation and provisions of the Optional Protocol on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child", publications of ECPAT International etc. The research uses findings of the following publications: "Scientific and practical comment to the Law of Ukraine on Combating Trafficking in Human Beings", "Correspondence of Ukrainian legislation to the provisions of the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings". Moreover, the research analyzes anti-trafficking legislation and experience of its implementation, as well as the legislation against sexual exploitation of children and experience of its practical implementation. Analysis also focused at activities against sexual exploitation of children and assistance to them initiated by civil society and international organizations. The study was conducted when Ukraine was facing the difficult times. Hostile aggression against Ukraine took place immediately after the Revolution of Dignity, and the East of the country is in the state of undeclared war actively supported by the Russian Federation. The deterioration of the social and economic status, activity of illegal armed groups, destroyed system of social protection in Donets and Luhansk oblasts, including protection of children, lead to the increasing problem with sexual exploitation of children. The survey among experts allows assuming that in current social and political situation CSEC might become more urgent, and estimating the impact of the military conflict and its consequences. At the end, there are some recommendations to legislation, activities of related state agencies and local authorities, international and civil society organizations. Details: La Strada Ukraine, 2015. 40p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 15, 2016 at: http://globalstudysectt.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/3.-SECTT-UKRAINE.pdf Year: 2015 Country: Ukraine URL: http://globalstudysectt.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/3.-SECTT-UKRAINE.pdf Shelf Number: 147885 Keywords: Child PornographyChild ProstitutionChild Sex TourismChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual ExploitationSex Tourism |
Author: International Childrens Center (ICC) Title: Global Study on Sexual Exploitation of Children in Travel and Tourism. County-Specific Report: Turkey Summary: Commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC) is one of the most heinous forms of child rights violations in in the world including in Turkey. While, in Turkey, national and local reports and studies mostly focus on sexual abuse of children, findings related to commercial sexual exploitation of children are extremely limited. There is almost no publication on this issue that contains evidence based information with the exception of few recent doctoral dissertations, reports by civil society organizations submitted to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child under the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Pornography, a study conducted by the ECPAT International and Yeniden Saglik Association in 2006 and annual rights monitoring reports of the Human Rights Association. One reason for this scarcity is the fact that what CSEC consists of is not understood well and that the offence mostly takes the form of an underground activity committed by criminal enterprises difficult to spot. This report explores only one form of CSEC in Turkey as a contribution to a global study conducted by ECPAT International and its members all over the world Details: Ankara, Turkey: ICC, 2015. 62p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 15, 2016 at: file:///C:/Users/pschultze/Downloads/3.-SECTT-TURKEY.pdf Year: 2015 Country: Turkey URL: file:///C:/Users/pschultze/Downloads/3.-SECTT-TURKEY.pdf Shelf Number: 140303 Keywords: Child PornographyChild ProstitutionChild Sex TourismChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual ExploitationSex Tourism |
Author: Solian, Ahmad Title: Global Study on Sexual Exploitation of Children in Travel and Tourism. County-Specific Report: Indonesia Summary: GLOBAL STUDY ON SEXUAL EXPLOITATION OF CHILDREN IN TRAVEL AND TOURISM COUNTRY-SPECIFIC REPORT INDONESIA Indonesia is one of the world's major tourism destinations. It attracts millions of tourists every year from all over the world, including many local visitors. The high tourism rate in Indonesia is influenced by easy access to its nationwide tourist attractions, high volume of flights and cheap accommodation. The rising number of both local and foreign visitors has led to an increased demand for entertainment facilities, most notably in the sex trade. Research on child sex tourism in Indonesia conducted by ECPAT Indonesia found that, on the whole, Indonesia did not recognise or offer sex tourism in its popular destinations, although many manipulated the tourism industry to sexually exploit children. Details: Jakarta, Indonesia: ECPAT Indonesia, 2016. 82p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 15, 2016 at: http://globalstudysectt.org/category/countries/Indonesia/ Year: 2016 Country: Indonesia URL: http://globalstudysectt.org/category/countries/Indonesia/ Shelf Number: 140304 Keywords: Child PornographyChild ProstitutionChild Sex TourismChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual ExploitationSex Tourism |
Author: Maskhulia, Mariam Title: Global Study on Sexual Exploitation of Children in Travel and Tourism. County-Specific Report: Georgia Summary: The Public Health Foundation of Georgia (PHF) conducted a qualitative research on Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children in Georgia (CSEC), which contributed to the Global Study on the Sexual Exploitation of Children in Travel and Tourism (SECTT) that ECPAT International is currently undertaking. Implementation of the research was possible in the frames of the project "Reducing Violence against Children, with special focus on sexual exploitation of children and child sex tourism", which is carried out by PHF in partnership with Defence for Children - ECPAT Nederland. The research aimed at exploring the situation of children who are victims or at-risk of commercial sexual exploitation, social context in which such exploitations take place and what are the legal protections put in place to address the problem. Toward this end, twophase interventions were implemented. The first phase covered the desk-review process. In the second phase in-depth interviews with practitioners and decisionmakers, who work for and with children, were carried out and focus-group discussions were also held. The research found out that very little attention is given to CSEC, except the trafficking where extensive measures have been put in place both on legal and victims' protection levels. However, other manifestations of CSEC, such as child prostitution, child pornography and exploitation of children in travel and tourism have not yet deserved sufficient attention. This is a very first attempt to examine the CSEC nature in Georgia. Given research provides a general overview of the problem in Georgia and gathers opinions from child protection experts. It is believed that this report will serve as a pushing factor for further relevant and immediate actions to be undertaken in this direction towards going more into depth of the problem and setting up meaningful and feasible actions that will be carried out by responsible agencies in coordination. Unfortunately, children's protection from various manifestations of commercial sexual exploitation and sexual abuse is weak in much of the world despite the universal ratification of the CRC. Often, a harmonized legal framework is not accompanied by necessary EXECUTIVE SUMMARY changes to ensure implementation of effective policies, public awareness raising/prevention programs, professional training, services and practice. The nature of programmatic responses to child protection focus more on intervention than prevention, addressing the symptoms rather than improving the underlying systems that have failed to protect children. Taking into account the long-term consequences of commercial sexual exploitation of children, one could estimate why this issue is of current importance and why we should contribute to the protection of children from all its manifestations. Bearing in mind the gravity of CSEC crimes and its impact on children globally, the Committee on the Rights of the Child elaborated a separate Optional Protocol on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography (hereinafter "OPSC" or "Optional Protocol"). Also comprehensive regional instrument was enacted to protect children from all forms of sexual abuse and exploitation, namely Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse (hereinafter "Lanzarote Convention"). There are number of measures and action plans developed on the global level, which call on states to undertake specific measures towards combating CSEC, particularly: The Stockholm Declaration and Agenda for Action, Yokohama and Rio World Congresses and call for global commitment. All children are at risk of violence, but the Global Survey confirms that today, as in 2006, the most vulnerable children are those at greatest risk of violence: those with disabilities, those who migrate, those who are confined to institutions, and those whose poverty and social exclusion expose them to deprivation, neglect and, at times, to the inherent dangers of life on the streets. The major problem of CSEC is its hidden nature. Nonreporting is the greatest challenge, which triggers numerous problems for the victims and their future life and unfortunately these life-long problems cannot be evaluated to understand the actual devastation of individual's lives across the universe. Georgian society is also facing the problem of non-reporting. The majority of the pull and push factors to CSEC unfortunately exist in Georgia thus provides ground to believe that the issue is more severe than it seems in reality. The ground for prioritizing CSEC exists in Georgia; however a political will is necessary to integrate this problem into the mainstream of relevant child protection and welfare policies and appropriate action plans. Unfortunately, no information is available on the situation of children from the separatist regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. What is known that rule of law and social protection of local population is quite weak, which raises sufficient doubt that children from these regions are likely to be affected by all forms of violence and exploitation. Summary of key findings: - There is a lack of evidence-based information on CSEC in Georgia, thus making it extremely difficult to provide substantial analysis of the issue; - The biggest challenge and the utmost need is that CSEC is not acknowledged as a problem in Georgia and efforts are directed towards combating trafficking in persons, while all other manifestations of CSEC are not sufficiently addressed; - There are some measures against sexual violence but under the boarder context of violence against children and specific measures for sexual abuse or CSEC are very limited or do not exist at all; - Child professionals in Georgia do not have special knowledge how to address the needs of children who are engaged in prostitution and services, social benefits and support programs offered by the Government or NGOs cannot 'compete' with lifestyle pursued by these children; - The average age of child's engagement in prostitution is 14-15 years and unplanned pregnancy among these children is common; - Professionals who work with children come into contact with children engaged in prostitution indirectly, i.e. interact with children who live or work on the streets in terms of fulfilling their basic needs, and not because of their engagement in prostitution; - Professionals necessitate knowledge not only in how to identify children affected by various forms of CSEC, but how to work with those who are already engaged in prostitution, are victim of child pornography, etc. This is a request of the professionals who see child prostitution as a problem, but do not have specialised knowledge and skills on the issue; - Preventive measures "not enough" and reporting mechanisms inadequate for responding CSEC needs; - There is a problem with the enforcement of CSEC-specific legislation and practice does not properly ensure rights of child to protection and rehabilitation. Details: Tbilisi, Georgia: Public Health Foundation of Georgia (PHF), 2015. 64. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 15, 2016 at: http://globalstudysectt.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/3.-SECTT-GEORGIA.pdf Year: 2015 Country: Georgia URL: http://globalstudysectt.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/3.-SECTT-GEORGIA.pdf Shelf Number: 147887 Keywords: Child PornographyChild ProstitutionChild Sex TourismChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual ExploitationSex Tourism |
Author: Pruneda, Olalla Title: Global Study on Sexual Exploitation of Children in Travel and Tourism. County-Specific Report: China Summary: China is home to 274 million children, the second largest child population in the world. Over the past three decades, the country has experienced remarkable progress in poverty alleviation and living standards, including the realisation of universal access to primary education and a drastic reduction in child mortality. However, growing regional disparities and migration are having a great impact on the lives of more than 100 million Chinese children today. Of them, 36 million have migrated to the cities with their parents with no right to education or health care services in the urban areas where they live. Meanwhile, nearly 70 million of them have become the so-called "left-behind children", in the care of relatives in their home villages. Away from the protection of their parents or unable to register as legal residents of China's cities, they are the most vulnerable children in China today, running the risk of being trafficked, sexually exploited or dragged into other forms of forced labour. With 14 per cent of the world's children, the "high prevalence of sexual exploitation and abuse against children, including rape" in China is an issue of paramount importance for all concerned with children's wellbeing. In the midst of China's outstanding economic growth and the resulting deep social transformations, a new trend is emerging which places new challenges for the protection of children. It is the growth of China's domestic tourism market and the country's consolidation as the fastest-growing tourism source market on a global scale. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Today nearly one in ten tourists in the world is Chinese. All forecasts suggest that the growing trend will continue over the next few years and "will surely continue to change the map of world tourism", in the words of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai. Chinese travellers are the biggest spenders globally since 2012. Neighbouring countries and regions are expected to remain as the preferred destinations for Chinese tourists in the coming years, with Hong Kong, Macau, South Korea, Thailand and Taiwan leading the way at present. Within China, domestic travel spending (90.9 per cent) is far more important than foreign visitor spending (9.1 per cent). Furthermore, the economic weight of the domestic tourism and travel sector keeps growing, generating 9.3 per cent of its GDP and employing 64.4 million Chinese in 2013.9 Tourism development is mostly taking place in ethnic minority regions such as Yunnan, Sichuan and Tibet, drawing on the folklorisation of these groups by representing them as an 'exotic' other. In the light of this ethnic tourism trend, the local population of ethnic minority areas appear to pin their hopes of further economic development on the increasing arrival of urban Han Chinese. The conflation of these trends with growing regional disparities, which are leading hundreds of millions to move to China's cities and industrial areas in search of a better job, create an unprecedented challenge to ensure the protection of children's rights. In addition, a traditional preference for sons has resulted in a skewed sex ratio of 118 boys born for every 100 girls as of 2014. As a result of this preference and the in 2015 abolished one-child policy, Chinas population appears to be "aging and increasingly male". This seems to suggest that the demand for prostitution and forced marriages will most likely keep increasing over the coming decades. With the country's economic growth, its entertainment industry has developed rapidly on the more developed eastern coast of the country as well as in tourist spots across the country. China's business culture involves frequenting entertainment venues as a necessary step in building trust among business partners. The presence of teenagers in entertainment venues where sex services are offered to tourists and travellers seems a recurrent problem as Chinese society sees an erosion of the family values rooted in the Confucian tradition. However, we still have very limited data on the magnitude and features of this growing problem in China. Further research is needed to better understand who are the children most adversely affected, who are the offenders and how they operate, as well as what else can be done to enhance the protection of children's rights. In early 2015, important steps are being taken to remove the stigmatising "soliciting underage prostitution" crime to replace it for statutory rape. However, the Criminal Law still makes no specific reference to the crime of facilitating the prostitution of boys under 18 or girls between 14 and 18 years of age. This report aims to shed new light on the heinous crime of sexual exploitation of children in travel and tourism in China and by Chinese travellers abroad by reviewing research conducted to date by academics, governments, international organisations and NGOs. It hopes to help identify the gaps of what we know about this phenomenon at present in order to encourage further research and improve existing laws and policies to better protect children and ensure their recovery and reintegration. It is our shared responsibility. Details: Bangkok: ECPAT International, 2015. 46p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 15, 2016 at: http://globalstudysectt.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/3.-SECTT-CHINA.pdf Year: 2015 Country: China URL: http://globalstudysectt.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/3.-SECTT-CHINA.pdf Shelf Number: 147888 Keywords: Child PornographyChild ProstitutionChild Sex TourismChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual ExploitationSex Tourism |
Author: ECPAT Brazil Title: Global Study on Sexual Exploitation of Children in Travel and Tourism. County-Specific Report: Brazil Summary: People who have suffered from the enduring societal scourge of sexual exploitation of children (SEC) have urgently and tirelessly campaigned alongside advocates to eradicate SEC and the sexual exploitation of children in travel and tourism (SECTT) while never forgetting the devastating impact the phenomenon reaps upon nations, communities, families and the children themselves. In Brazil, modern-day slavery and child labour are rampant. Many have raised concerns as to the effects of mega sports events on the commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC) in a country already facing such challenges. As is well-known, Brazil was home to the FIFA World Cup in 2014 and is about to be host to the Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games this year. With the surging number of tourists and travellers - tourism in Brazil tripled in June 2014, when the World Cup took place -, members of civil society organisations feared that more children would be at a greater risk in certain areas of the country. Despite acknowledging that perhaps no increase in CSEC was registered, improvements in this area have not been achieved either . Furthermore, the development and expansion of the internet has facilitated travel while granting anonymity to a growing number of sexual exploitation networks, enabling them to develop new ways to escape identification by existing protection systems. Details: Rio de Janeiro: ECPAT Brazil, 2015. 60p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 15, 2016 at: http://globalstudysectt.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/3.-SECTT-BRAZIL.pdf Year: 2015 Country: Brazil URL: http://globalstudysectt.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/3.-SECTT-BRAZIL.pdf Shelf Number: 140307 Keywords: Child LaborChild PornographyChild ProstitutionChild Sex TourismChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual ExploitationSex Tourism |
Author: De Witte, Iara Title: Vulnerability of Bulgarian and Romanian Children to Trafficking in The Netherlands and in Brussels Summary: The research "Vulnerability of Bulgarian and Romanian Children to Trafficking in The Netherlands and in Brussels (Belgium)" was conducted in the framework of the "Mario II Project", a European project aimed at improving the level of protection of migrant children from Central and South East European (C/SEE) countries who are vulnerable to abuse, exploitation and/or trafficking. This report presents the main findings of the research that consisted of a desk review, supplemented by interviews with stakeholders, case studies, and street observations. Due to limited data on the research target-group available in The Netherlands, field activities were expanded to include the neighbouring city of Brussels in Belgium. Children's involvement in begging-like activities in The Netherlands is very seldom reported, and seems to mostly relate to cases from the past (around the year 2007). There were also no indications of involvement of these children in other economic activities like selling souvenirs to tourists, or other forms of activities. Children's involvement in criminal activities appears to be a tangible problem, which raises several concerns in terms of child protection as well as crime control. However, due to the very nature of these activities (hidden and incidental), it was rather difficult to detect and approach the children involved during the field work. Apparently, most of the children identified in these situations were children from C/SEE countries who were not residing at a permanent address and/or who were (temporarily or permanently) deprived of parental care. Indeed, the research found no indications that children from C/SEE countries who come together with their parents (typically in the framework of general labour migration patterns) were involved or exploited in begging, economic activities or criminal activities. These children can find themselves in socially vulnerable situations, but not to the extent that they fall victim of exploitation. The large majority of children begging in the streets observed by the research team were found in Brussels (Belgium), where this phenomenon is much more visible and frequent than in The Netherlands. Therefore, the majority of children targeted by street observation were located in Belgium. One of the reasons that could explain the different prevalence of the phenomenon of child begging in the two countries targeted relates to a diverse approach undertaken by authorities among the two countries: in The Netherlands, the response from child protection and law enforcement authorities to cases of children begging with adults in the year 2007 was vigorous and apparently had a deterrent effect: by taking the children away from the streets, adults involving them could not rely on an additional source of income, and therefore might have moved to other locations outside the country. In Belgium, begging with children is generally tolerated by authorities, and there is a broader social acceptance of the phenomenon in general, facts that could explain the visible presence of children begging in the city of Brussels. Conversely, both Belgium and The Netherlands have a similar approach to children's involvement in criminal activities (although, however, the approach in Belgium was not subject of in-depth review in the framework of the present study). Similarly, the features and prevalence of this phenomenon appear to be comparable in Belgium and in The Netherlands. The research looked in greater depth at the responses to the involvement of children in begging, economic or criminal activities in The Netherlands. At national level, when it comes to adopting protection measures for migrant children from C/SEE countries, there is some degree of uncertainty about (and overlap among) the applicable child protection measures and competent authorities. Indeed, these children are both EU nationals (fact which triggers the application of protection measures designed for national children) and foreigners (their case thereby falling under the provisions of immigration law). At local level, some cities developed referral systems and standard operating procedures to deal with cases of children involved in begging, economic and criminal activities, entailing a cooperation among law enforcement and child protection authorities. However, several gaps have been identified, which leave many of these children without adequate protection. These gaps concern primarily: the practical and legal impossibility to adopt protection measures when the child's parents do not reside at a permanent address; difficulties in assessing the relationships between the child and his/her (alleged) parent(s); gaps in the identification (and treatment) of children who are trafficked for begging, economic or criminal activities as victims of that crime; children's disappearance from the child protection systems (particularly from temporary alternative care); and difficulties in timely appointing a guardian (and in ensuring a sufficient extension of guardianship provisions). The report recommends to adopt measures aimed to enhance the protection of children involved in begging, economic or criminal activities, to be always guided by rights-based, child-centred considerations. At local level, these measures mainly revolve around assessing in greater depth the relationships between the child and his/her parents or legal guardians, when doubts arise concerning the nature of such relationships. It is also recommended to systematically request the appointment of a guardian in cases of children deprived of adequate parental care. Legal and practical obstacles in intervening to protect children whose parents are not residing at a permanent address should be overcome, and this circumstance (along with the child's lack of school attendance) should be considered as an additional risk factor. At national level, among relevant recommendations, the need to enhance the protection of children involved in begging, economic or criminal activities from neglect and abuse, and particularly from exploitation, in cases where signs of these violations of fundamental children's rights are displayed is of utmost importance. In particular, cases of (potential) child trafficking for exploitation in the above-activities should be promptly detected and (potential) child victims should be referred to existing protection services and treated as children and as victims of a serious crime. The capacity of frontline professionals to identify these cases should be enhanced through regular training, in the framework of clear procedures embedded in the child protection system and in the (developing) national referral mechanisms for trafficked persons in The Netherlands. Children belonging to the most vulnerable groups, particularly those (temporarily) deprived of adequate parental care, and/or not residing at a permanent address in the country, should be effectively reached by child protection services. Clear procedures to identify a durable solution for each child concerned, based on his or her best interests, should be developed, with strict procedural safeguards and involving decision-makers with relevant areas of expertise, allowing a proper balancing of the different relevant factors to be considered. The process should facilitate adequate child participation and explore on equal grounds the possibilities to return the child to his or her country of origin, to allow the child to remain and integrate in The Netherlands, or to reunite the child with his or her family in a third country. Details: Budapest: Mario Project, 2014. 81p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 29, 2016 at: https://www.defenceforchildren.nl/images/13/3733.pdf Year: 2014 Country: Europe URL: https://www.defenceforchildren.nl/images/13/3733.pdf Shelf Number: 140515 Keywords: Child ProstitutionChild Sexual ExploitationChild TraffickingHuman TraffickingMigrant Children |
Author: Skidmore, Michael Title: Organised crime and child sexual exploitation in local communities Summary: Key Messages - Two years of police crime and intelligence records for a single city were examined to identify the victims and perpetrators of child sexual exploitation (CSE) and assess the links to organised crime. - Perpetrators that appeared to operate as a group had victimised or presented a risk to over half (58 per cent) of all young people known by local police to be at risk of CSE. - There were an estimated 43 groups linked to child sexual exploitation (CSE) perpetrated in the city, many more than the six organised crime groups (OCGs) mapped by the local police force. This meant specialist resources were not always made available to tackle them. - There was a high degree of interconnectivity between CSE and other types of serious and organised crime such as drugs supply, criminal exploitation, sexual exploitation for financial gain, and violence - Knowledge of CSE among frontline practitioners was poor and there was a lack of understanding at all levels of what constitutes an OCG involved in this area of crime. - Support agencies in communities are the frontlines for identifying and tackling the threat of CSE but information was not systematically shared between them to produce a single consolidated assessment of the threat. Details: London: The Police Foundation, 2016. 6p. Source: Internet Resource: Reducing the Impact of Serious Organised Crime in Local Communities: Accessed November 1, 2016 at: http://www.police-foundation.org.uk/uploads/holding/projects/organised_crime_and_cse.pdf Year: 2016 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.police-foundation.org.uk/uploads/holding/projects/organised_crime_and_cse.pdf Shelf Number: 145786 Keywords: Child ProstitutionChild Sexual ExploitationOrganized Crime |
Author: Brodie, Isabelle Title: The Participation of Young People in Child Sexual Exploitation Services: A Scoping Review of the Literature Summary: This scoping review looks at the conceptualisation, nature and impact of participation in child sexual exploitation services, as well as what is needed for effective participatory working. The review included literature which was in the English language, UK related, published after 1989, and focused on participation in children and young people’s services. Searches were carried out via academic search engines and three specialist child sexual exploitation (CSE) databases. Following screening a total of 159 items were retrieved, with eight core studies focusing specifically on the experiences of young people in CSE services. Analysis of the findings includes coverage of the following areas: models of participation, resistance and non-participation, types of participatory involvement, the replicability of participatory models, and the importance of an organisational commitment to a participatory approach. Themes identified from the review were: that participative practice in CSE services is distinct because professionals need to have both a strong knowledge base regarding the routes into and experience of CSE; that young people affected by CSE often have considerable knowledge and skill in navigating between services, and are able to identify what is effective; and that young people have often been ignored or blamed by professionals when trying to report abuse. The review also found that young people value the way that CSE services recognise them as individuals, listen and take their views seriously, and provide a flexible and friendly approach. Details: Luton, UK: University of Bedfordshire, 2016. 39p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed December 13, 2016 at: https://www.alexiproject.org.uk/assets/documents/Alexi-Project-Participation-Scoping-Review.pdf Year: 2016 Country: United Kingdom URL: https://www.alexiproject.org.uk/assets/documents/Alexi-Project-Participation-Scoping-Review.pdf Shelf Number: 146103 Keywords: Child ProstitutionChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual Exploitation |
Author: Lopez Guevara, Estefania Title: Introduction to Trafficking and Laundering of Children Summary: Trafficking in human beings is generally referred to as the 21st century's slavery, and it has been asserted that human trafficking is more common now than at any time in history (Snyman, 2005). The Global Report on Trafficking in Persons, published by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in November 2014, found victims from 152 nationalities in 124 countries. Additionally, in some regions child trafficking is a major concern; for instance, in Africa and the Middle East children constitute 62 per cent of detected trafficked victims (UNODC, 2014). Currently, children are trafficked for prostitution, forced labor and early marriage: "In African countries, the poverty existing in households, the absence of social protection, the high profits earned by traffickers, and the low conviction rates for offences against the traffic, have caused child trafficking to persist" (Mbakogu, 2014). In 2006, the Trafficking in Persons Report published by the U.S. Department of State revealed that human trafficking is the third market generating profits for organized crime, behind only drugs and guns trafficking. It is estimated that an amount close to USD $9.5 billion is generated annually through trafficking. Bearing in mind the relevance of this criminal market, this document is an introduction to the humans trafficking market, providing an overview of this contemporary trafficking. Additionally, attention is focused on the specific trafficking of children happening in the African countries of Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Nigeria, Benin, Cameroon and Ethiopia. Details: Bogota, Colombia: Vortex Foundation, 2017. 18p. Source: Internet Resource: The Global Observatory of Transnational Criminal Networks Research Paper No. 6. VORTEX Working Papers No. 20: Accessed February 28, 2017 at: http://media.wix.com/ugd/522e46_f3c830fccdbe49409089792bd2299f18.pdf Year: 2017 Country: International URL: http://media.wix.com/ugd/522e46_f3c830fccdbe49409089792bd2299f18.pdf Shelf Number: 141252 Keywords: Child ProstitutionChild Sex TraffickingChild TraffickingHuman Trafficking |
Author: Hughes, Caroline Title: 'You can trust me...': Young people going missing and at risk of, or abused through, child sexual exploitation in North Wales Summary: Child sexual exploitation (CSE) has been a strategic priority, and a key area for practice development, for Barnardo's for over two decades. Within Wales, Barnardo's Cymru has worked closely with the Welsh Government since 2005 to support the development of robust policy and practice guidance to address CSE in Wales. Established research and practice evidence demonstrates a strong correlation between children and young people going missing and risk of sexual exploitation. Over the past few years, a series of high-profile prosecutions of cases of CSE have raised public awareness of this crime. Networks of perpetrators who had been abusing children and young people over many years were uncovered in Rotherham, Rochdale, Derby, Sheffield, Manchester and Oxford, leading to an increase in activity across all sectors to improve safeguarding and disrupt perpetrators. This research aims to improve understanding of the nature of the relationship between going missing and CSE, and to improve responses to children and young people at risk. Although this issue has been considered at a UK level, very little research into children and young people who go missing and the link between going missing and risk of CSE has been undertaken in Wales. This research was carried out in North Wales but might usefully inform practice across Wales. Details: Cardiff, Wales: Barnardo's, 2016. 52p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 20, 2017 at: http://www.barnardos.org.uk/17312_cse_you_can_trust_me_report_lr-2.pdf Year: 2016 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.barnardos.org.uk/17312_cse_you_can_trust_me_report_lr-2.pdf Shelf Number: 145062 Keywords: At-Risk Youth Child ProstitutionChild Sexual Abuse Child Sexual Exploitation Missing Children Runaways |
Author: Martin, Lauren Title: Early Intervention to Avoid Sex Trading and Trafficking of Minnesota's Female Youth: A Benefit-Cost Analysis: Full Report Summary: We provide analysis of an innovative policy to reduce social harms from sex trading among female youth, including adolescents (e.g. survival sex, prostitution, sex trafficking). The policy consists of early intervention efforts with adolescent females to prevent and dissuade them from sex trading. Our framework treats the program as an investment project and calculates its net present value, where the benefits are understood to be harms avoided by successfully reducing the extent of sex trading. We approach the analysis from the narrow perspective of the public budget. That is, both the cost of the program and the specific harms from sex trading are evaluated in terms of the burden they impose on a community's government expenditures. We do not examine the full social costs of sex trading. Our valuation of harms is a conservative estimate based on available social science data. We conduct sensitivity analysis with respect to key model parameters such as program effectiveness, discount rate and other model parameters. The program returns positive Net Present Value in all but the most pessimistic scenarios, which we believe are highly unlikely to prevail. In our best estimate it returns $34 in benefit for each $1 in cost. Details: Minneapolis: Minnesota Indian Women's Resource Center, 2012. 90p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 9, 2017 at: http://mnhttf.org/site/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Benefit-Cost-Study-Full.pdf Year: 2012 Country: United States URL: http://mnhttf.org/site/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Benefit-Cost-Study-Full.pdf Shelf Number: 145360 Keywords: Child ProstitutionChild Sex TraffickingCost-Benefit AnalysisHuman traffickingProstitutionSex Trafficking |
Author: Martin, Lauren Title: Mapping the Market for Sex with Trafficked Minor Girls in Minneapolis: Structures, Functions, and Patterns Summary: The trafficking of girls under age 18 into the sex trade (also known as domestic minor sex trafficking) has received increased attention from policy makers, law enforcement, service providers, advocates, and funders in Minnesota over the past several years. In July 2011, the Minnesota State Legislature passed Safe Harbor for Youth legislation, which had a sunrise clause for implementation by August 2014. The Minnesota Departments of Health and Public Safety worked with the State Human Trafficking Task Force to develop No Wrong Door, a plan for coordinated and comprehensive services for trafficking victims. Implementation has begun with the hiring of the Safe Harbor/No Wrong Door Director in the Minnesota Department of Health's Injury and Violence Prevention unit, and the selection of Regional Navigators responsible for ensuring that all victims receive appropriate assistance and trauma-centered services. No Wrong Door is a critical step for early intervention to reduce the harms of domestic minor sex trafficking on Minnesota youth. But, what is the larger system that exploits juveniles through sex trafficking? Who is involved? Where does it happen? And, how does it work? Empirical knowledge of the broader market forces through which youth are exploited is critical to providing a solid basis for Minnesota's efforts toward intervention and prevention of exploitation of youth in commercial sex and sex trafficking. We conducted this study to answer these questions. The project received funding from the Women's Foundation of Minnesota, internal University of Minnesota funding, and the support of a broad coalition of agencies and individuals. We began with the understanding that the sex trade is an industry, and as such, it operates on market principles. Like other markets, the market for sex with juveniles is structured by demand, supply, and a process through which the supply (or "product") is developed, managed, and delivered. Sex buyers (the "demand") enter the market with money and power. Pimps, traffickers, and others that assist them (transporters, watchers, enforcers, etc.) profit by linking sex buyers to juvenile victims (the "product") for sale. Because of the multiple roles involved in this activity, we refer to these individuals as facilitators. Facilitators recruit a "supply" of juveniles through systematic exploitation of specific needs and vulnerabilities of youth, sometimes described as "push/pull factors." This study sought to understand the "who, where, and how" aspects of market operations. Who are the people involved in the market (victims, facilitators, and sex buyers)? Where does the market happen? Where are victims recruited? Where do sexual transactions take place? What are the residential locations of facilitators, victims, and sex buyers? "Where" also includes categories of places where sex trafficking activities occur such as hotels, schools, private residences, clubs, etc. Most importantly, we wanted to understand how the market functions. How do the operational structures and mechanisms derive profit from the commercial sexual exploitation of juveniles? Our data collection and analysis produced a great deal of information, which we are continuing to review and analyze. This report provides an overview of our findings and it is a first step in sharing the rich and detailed information we have collected. We expect to produce additional reports and articles. Some of what we learned confirms what we already knew about sex trafficking, particularly characteristics of victims. However, our market framework yielded new insights about the forces behind commercial sexual exploitation of youth and domestic minor sex trafficking. Therefore, much of what we learned and describe in this report is new. Details: Minneapolis: University of Minnesota, Urban Research Outreach/Engagement Center, 2014. 118p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 9, 2017 at: http://uroc.umn.edu/sites/default/files/Res_SexTraf_Report.compressed.pdf Year: 2014 Country: United States URL: http://uroc.umn.edu/sites/default/files/Res_SexTraf_Report.compressed.pdf Shelf Number: 145361 Keywords: Child ProstitutionChild Sex TraffickingChild Sexual ExploitationProstitutionSex MarketsSex TraffickingSexual Exploitation |
Author: ECPAT USA Title: National Colloquium 2012 Final Report: An Inventory and Evaluation of the Current Shelter and Services Response to Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking Summary: Shelter and services for identified victims and survivors of domestic minor sex trafficking (DMST) are critical for their recovery and success. What has not been immediately available is insight into the actual experience of the individuals and organizations that are attempting to respond to the need, and their insight about possible ways to navigate the obstacles. While a few excellent scholarly articles and manuals on how to implement service provision have recently been published, the noticeable missing ingredient is documentation of lessons learned, success factors and gaps by those on the ground doing the work. To that end, the National Colloquium: Shelter and Services Evaluation for Action was conceived and executed by Shared Hope International, ECPAT-USA and The Protection Project at Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies, a triumvirate that has in the past cooperated on related research, notably the 2006 Mid-Term Review on the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC) in America in preparation for the World Congress Against CSEC. Three surveys were designed to capture information that will serve as the foundation for the continuing research, site assessments, and discussions among stakeholders to develop and formalize the shelter and services response for DMST victims. Through these surveys and the subsequent colloquium, knowledge from a growing body of experts with first-hand experience was gathered and shared about the actual provision of restorative services to domestic trafficking victims, with all of its successes and setbacks. In July 2012 an Advisory Board and a Practitioners Working Group were convened to review project goals for the National Colloquium and vet the survey that would solicit a response from providers across the nation during the upcoming three months. At the same time, survivor leaders developed and administered their own survey instrument to capture the unique experiences and perspectives of individuals who have survived sex trafficking. On November 30, 2012, the National Colloquium: Shelter and Services Evaluation for Action was held, representing a first-ever opportunity for service providers and survivors to hold a structured conversation about the extraordinarily complex and challenging work of DMST victim and survivor care. Acting Assistant Secretary George Sheldon of the Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, delivered the keynote address that framed the panel discussions that took place. Based on their experiences in the field, participants addressed emerging trends and barriers in three areas: placement for identified youth, licensing and maintaining residential facilities and programmatic and therapeutic approaches. A range of promising practices along with barriers to success were examined through panel discussion and observer interaction. In addition, in coordination with the Congressional Caucus for Victims' Rights and the Congressional Caucus for Women's Issues, a congressional briefing called "Identifying Sustainable Solutions for Shelter and Restorative Care for Victims of Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking" was held to discuss funding for shelter and services for DMST victims, a priority concern noted by advocacy and funding experts that responded to a third survey designed for this group of stakeholders. The panel for this briefing consisted of human trafficking experts from government, philanthropy, survivor leadership and non-governmental organizations who brought visibility to the critical importance of the funding issue. Approximately 185 participants filled the U.S. Capitol hearing room and over 500 more attended via a live webcast in order to be part of this unique event. While information exchange was the stated purpose, a collateral benefit for many was the opportunity for providers and survivors to meet and network with others doing similar work in this limited field. Details: Brooklyn, NY: ECPAT USA, 2016.244p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 9, 2017 at: http://www.ecpatusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/National-Colloquium-2012-Final-Report-An-Inventory-and-Evaluation-of-the-Current-Shelter-and-Services-Response-to-Domestic-Minor-Sex-Trafficking.pdf Year: 2016 Country: United States URL: http://www.ecpatusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/National-Colloquium-2012-Final-Report-An-Inventory-and-Evaluation-of-the-Current-Shelter-and-Services-Response-to-Domestic-Minor-Sex-Trafficking.pdf Shelf Number: 145367 Keywords: Child ProstitutionChild Sex TraffickingChild Sexual ExploitationDomestic Minor Sex TraffickingSex TraffickingVictim Services |
Author: Coffey, Ann Title: Real Voices: Are they being heard? Summary: The high profile Rochdale sexual exploitation case in 2012 - along with Rotherham, Oldham, Oxford, Telford, Stockport and Peterborough - revealed the shocking extent of child sexual exploitation. In December 2013, Tony Lloyd, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Greater Manchester, asked me to conduct an independent inquiry into what progress had been made since 2012 and what more needed to be done to tackle child sexual exploitation in the region. My report, Real Voices - Child Sexual Exploitation in Greater Manchester, published in 2014, explored the underlying attitudes in the police and other agencies, which meant that perpetrators could exploit children, knowing that if they were reported, it would be the victim on trial, not them. It caused shockwaves by identifying that child sexual exploitation had become a 'social norm' in some communities in Greater Manchester. The report called for a sea change in attitudes away from a culture of blaming children and young people for bringing about their own sexual exploitation. In collecting my evidence I spoke to everyone who worked in this difficult area but I prioritised listening to children and young people and put their voices about their experiences at the very front of my report. Real Voices recommended that the fight against CSE had to be led by young people and their voices had to be heard. Real Voices now - Are they being heard? Two years on, Tony Lloyd, GM Mayor and Police and Crime Commissioner, asked me to review some aspects of the report. In this new review I have looked at how far attitudes have changed in the police, agencies and the wider community. Details: S.l.: Ann Coffey, 2017. 58p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed June 6, 2017 at: http://anncoffeymp.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/RV2-Are-They-Being-Heard3.pdf Year: 2017 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://anncoffeymp.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/RV2-Are-They-Being-Heard3.pdf Shelf Number: 145943 Keywords: Child ProstitutionChild Sexual Abuse Child Sexual Exploitation |
Author: Berelowitz, Sue Title: If only someone had listened : Office of the Children's Commissioner's inquiry into child sexual exploitation in gangs and groups. Final report Summary: Despite increased awareness and a heightened state of alert regarding child sexual exploitation children are still slipping through the net and falling prey to sexual predators. Serious gaps remain in the knowledge, practice and services required to tackle this problem. There are pockets of good practice, but much still needs to be done to prevent thousands more children falling victim. This is the principal finding of "If only someone had listened" - the Final Report of the Inquiry of the Office of the Children's Commissioner into Child Sexual Exploitation in Gangs and Groups (CSEGG). In many areas the required agencies have only recently started to come together to tackle the issue despite the statutory guidance issued by the Government in 2009. A comparison of Local Safeguarding Children Boards (LSCB) current practice against this guidance indicates that only 6% of LSCBs were meeting the requirements in full, with around one third not even meeting half of them. Substantial gaps remain in the availability of specialist provision for victims of child sexual exploitation (CSE). This report outlines the urgent steps needed so that children can be effectively made and kept safe - from decision-making at senior levels to the practitioner working with individual child victims - whether a social worker, police officer, health clinician, teacher or anyone else who has contact with children. Phase 1 of the Inquiry reported that a total of 2,409 children were known to be victims of CSE by gangs and groups. In addition the Inquiry identified 16,500 children and young people as being at risk of CSE. Many of the known victims had been badly let down by those agencies and services that should have been protecting them. The reality is that children and young people are continuing to fall victim to exploitation. Although there are heightened efforts to address this issue, too many agencies and services are still failing to safeguard children and young people effectively. We have seen examples, however, of local services who are putting children at the centre of everything they do. In these places there is a coherent and collaborative response to CSE with utmost commitment from the most senior to frontline staff, thereby offering greater protection for children threatened by, or experiencing, sexual exploitation. These examples have informed our view of what needs to be done in those places where children are not being protected and is encapsulated in the Inquiry's new operational and strategic Framework - See Me, Hear Me. Details: London: Office of the Children's Commissioner, 2013. 123p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 22, 2017 at: http://dera.ioe.ac.uk/18861/1/If_only_someone_had_listened_Office_of_the_Childrens_Commissioners_Inquiry_into_Child_Sexual_Exploitation_in_Gangs_and_Groups.pdf Year: 2013 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://dera.ioe.ac.uk/18861/1/If_only_someone_had_listened_Office_of_the_Childrens_Commissioners_Inquiry_into_Child_Sexual_Exploitation_in_Gangs_and_Groups.pdf Shelf Number: 131717 Keywords: Child ProstitutionChild ProtectionChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual Exploitation (U.K.)PornographyYouth Gangs |
Author: Kirtley, Paul Title: "If you Shine a Light you will probably find it": Report of a grass Roots Survey of Health Professionals with Regard to their Experiences in Dealing with Child Sexual Exploitation Summary: The report is based on an accumulation of views, comments and experiences from a wide range of health and associated voluntary workers who have been involved in responding to Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) or personal experiences of Serious Case Reviews relating to child sexual abuse. The contributors came from many areas of the country, and included representatives from rural areas, inner city, industrial towns and tourist destinations. These terms and those below, describing actual job titles, have been kept deliberately vague as the attendees were promised anonymity. The purpose of the Forum and the subsequent discussions was to provide an environment in which the health workers could be open and honest without fear of any repercussions. This enabled them to talk about what went well and what didn't go well, where the barriers were and what they would do differently in a similar situation so that we can all learn from their experiences. This was a 'grass-roots' survey and everything written in the report is based on the personal comments made by the contributors either personally to Dr. Kirtley or at the Forum. The report reflects their knowledge, their experiences, their thoughts and their opinions. We have deliberately not used any other sources. By its very nature the report, therefore, cannot be nor does it pretend to be wholly inclusive and there may be gaps in what has been covered. The participants do, however, provide a wealth of safeguarding experience in Healthcare. There are many experienced and knowledgeable Health Professionals but they are limited to their geographical or immediate clinical areas of expertise. There does not appear to be many individuals who could be called overall "experts" in CSE within the NHS. But all those spoken to were experts within their own locality and their own field of work. The discussions were wide-ranging and actually brought up more questions than answers, but we felt in a position at the end of the exercise to make recommendations and decide on the next steps. Details: London: National Health Service, 2013. 46p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 7, 2017 at: http://www.nhs.uk/aboutNHSChoices/professionals/healthandcareprofessionals/child-sexual-exploitation/Documents/Shine%20a%20Light.pdf Year: 2013 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.nhs.uk/aboutNHSChoices/professionals/healthandcareprofessionals/child-sexual-exploitation/Documents/Shine%20a%20Light.pdf Shelf Number: 147606 Keywords: Child ProstitutionChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual ExploitationChild Trafficking |
Author: Bowman, Joshua Title: Report for the Advisory Council on Child Trafficking: Comparing Legislation to Expert Opinion Summary: The mission of the Advisory Council on Child Trafficking (ACCT) is specific to domestic child sex trafficking; thus the research and recommendations made in this report are specifically for this subset of human trafficking. The Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) of 2000 defines general sex trafficking as "the recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of a person for the purposes of a commercial sex act, in which the commercial sex act is induced by force, fraud, or coercion, or in which the person induced to perform such an act has not attained 18 years of age" (22 USC S 7102; 8 CFR S 214.11(a)). "Child sex trafficking includes any minor (under the age of 18) involved in commercial sex. This type of trafficking exists within the broader commercial sex trade, often at much larger rates than most people real ize. Sex traffickers frequently target vulnerable minors with histories of abuse and then use violence, threats, false promises, lies, debt bondage, or other forms of control and manipulation to keep them involved in the sex industry." Children who are wards of the state or in the foster care system are some of the most vulnerable targets for traffickers. On May 1 and 2, 2013, the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, the Advisory Council on Child Trafficking (ACCT) and the Goldman Sachs Foundation hosted a symposium to address the needs of victims of child sex trafficking. The symposium was a part of a White House initiative, first announced by President Obama at the 2012 Clinton Global Initiative, to "bring together leading researchers, bipartisan policy makers, and advocates to identify gaps in research, best practices, and evidence to improve the lives of sexually exploited children." The goal of this report is to compare current domestic legislation to the opinions of experts on domestic child trafficking presented at this symposium. For research areas, we used the symposium's six working group categories. The end product of this report includes appraisals of legislation, as well as recommendations on areas that policy has not yet addressed. Details: Stanford, CA: Stanford University, Public Policy Program, 2014. 67p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 11, 2017 at: https://publicpolicy.stanford.edu/publications/report-advisory-council-child-trafficking-comparing-legislation-expert-opinion Year: 2014 Country: United States URL: https://publicpolicy.stanford.edu/publications/report-advisory-council-child-trafficking-comparing-legislation-expert-opinion Shelf Number: 147663 Keywords: Child ProstitutionChild Sex Trafficking Child Sexual Exploitation Child Trafficking Human Trafficking |
Author: Basson, Danna Title: Validation of the Commercial Sexual Exploitation-Identification Tool (CSE-IT). Technical Report Summary: Commercial sexual exploitation of children in the U.S. is recognized as a child welfare, mental health, and public health crisis. Despite growing awareness of the problem, it is poorly understood and difficult to recognize. As a result, 75% of young people who experience commercial sexual exploitation (CSE) endure multiple years of abuse before anyone intervenes. The lack of a standard, validated screening tool for use in settings where vulnerable youth are served severely hampers the ability of public agencies to identify victims early and provide targeted services. As a result, there are no valid prevalence or incidence rates for youth who are sexually exploited in California or the United States. To address the need for early identification, credible prevalence estimates of children who experience CSE, and improved response and protection for exploited youth, WestCoast developed, pilot tested, and validated a screening tool to identify exploited youth. This report describes the development of the screening tool - called the Commercial Sexual Exploitation-Identification Tool (CSE-IT) - and the pilot test results and validity evidence for the CSE-IT. To develop the CSE-IT, WestCoast gathered input from over 100 stakeholders, including survivors of exploitation and providers across a variety of disciplines, to inform the content, structure, and administration of a new screening tool. Stakeholder input was critical to constructing a tool informed by the experience of the people who use it and the people it is intended to help. The resulting tool was piloted in 45 agencies, including 15 child welfare agencies, 6 juvenile justice agencies, and 24 community-based organizations. Two thousand childserving professionals screened 5,537 children and youth age 10 and over. The screening results showed that 635 youth, or 11.5% of the youth that were screened, have clear indicators of exploitation (or a score of Clear Concern on the CSE-IT). This rate differs by service setting, gender identity and expression, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, and age. To validate the CSE-IT, we used pilot data to assess the tool's criterion validity, including concurrent and convergent validity, using data collected concurrently via the Crisis Assessment Tool/Childhood Severity of Psychiatric Illness (CAT/CSPI), a validated instrument. We also assessed the psychometric properties of the CSE-IT, including the tool's reliability and factor structure, using Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA). To ensure the content and structure of the CSE-IT reflected the complex reality of CSE for survivors of this abuse as well as for service providers, we also conducted extensive qualitative review of the tool through debriefings with CSE-IT users, agency leaders, survivors of CSE, advocates, and other stakeholders. The CSE-IT pilot study shows that systematically screening for CSE using a universal screening protocol helps identify youth experiencing exploitation, and that using a tool rather than relying on clinical judgment alone furthers this goal. Results also demonstrate the feasibility of establishing a systematic protocol of universal screening in large public agencies. Details: Oakland, CA: WestCloast Children's Clinic, 2015. 64p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 16, 2017 at: http://www.westcoastcc.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/WCC-CSE-IT-PilotReport-FINAL.pdf Year: 2015 Country: United States URL: http://www.westcoastcc.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/WCC-CSE-IT-PilotReport-FINAL.pdf Shelf Number: 147691 Keywords: Child Abuse and NeglectChild ProstitutionChild Sexual ExploitationChild TraffickingHuman Trafficking |
Author: Allnock, Debbie Title: Evidence-based models of policing to protect children from sexual exploitation Summary: Key Messages CSA was named as a national threat in England and Wales in March 2015. CSE, particularly online CSE, is now mentioned in the strategic policing requirement. Policing activity to respond to CSE has accelerated in recent years. Inspections have found evidence of good practice and improvements to policing of CSE, but have also documented on-going challenges facing the police. Inspections show that police forces are not using their disruption powers to full effect and research shows that information sharing between police and local authorities can be a major barrier to safeguarding children from CSE. Information on the number of CSE convictions is not readily available: police do not receive intelligence about all CSE-related crimes; many cases are never reported and there are inconsistent approaches to record keeping between and within forces. That said, published offence data for 2015/16 shows an increase in reporting of all sexual offence categories compared to 2014/15. Published research about 'what works' in policing to obtain prosecutions is absent. This is the first study of its kind to document the ways in which some police forces in England have structured their CSE responses. This is also the first study of its kind to assess the features of CSE policing responses in relation to the outcomes for victims. Despite this, understanding of the relationship between policing responses and prosecution outcomes remains elusive in light of problematic data recording within police and CPS systems. Details: Luton, Bedfordshire, UK: University Of Bedfordshire, The International Centre: Researching Child Sexual Exploitation, Violence and Trafficking, 2017. 91p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 14, 2018 at: https://www.beds.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/571145/Evidence-based-models-of-policing.pdf Year: 2017 Country: United Kingdom URL: https://www.beds.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/571145/Evidence-based-models-of-policing.pdf Shelf Number: 149149 Keywords: Child PornographyChild ProstitutionChild ProtectionChild Sexual abuseChild Sexual ExploitationPolicing |
Author: Ashley, Jessica Title: The commercial sexual exploitation of children and youth in Illinois Summary: The commercial sexual exploitation of children has received increased national attention in recent years. Government officials have shown growing concern for young people exploited for commercial sex. The victims are just as often U.S. citizens as they are foreign-born and secreted into the states. Due to the hidden nature of commercial sexual exploitation of children, it is difficult to study and quantify the problem. In the fall 2006, the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority was awarded a research grant by the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency (OJJDP) to study the commercial sexual exploitation of children. OJJDP defines commercial sexual exploitation of children as a constellation of crimes of a sexual nature committed against youthful victims younger than 18 years old primarily or entirely for financial or other economic reasons. These crimes include, for example, trafficking for sexual purposes, prostitution, sex tourism, mail-order-bride trade and early marriage, pornography, stripping, and sexual performances. Three research methods were utilized in this study, including arrest statistics, focus groups with individuals who were prostituted as juveniles, and interviews with law enforcement officers. The overall goal of the research was to gain a better understanding of the commercial sexual exploitation of children and youth. Details: Chicago: Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority, 2008. 76o, Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 23, 2018 at: http://www.icjia.state.il.us/publications/the-commercial-sexual-exploitation-of-children-and-youth-in-illinois Year: 2008 Country: United States URL: http://www.icjia.state.il.us/publications/the-commercial-sexual-exploitation-of-children-and-youth-in-illinois Shelf Number: 108125 Keywords: Child Pornography Child ProstitutionChild Sex Trafficking Child Sexual Abuse Child Sexual Exploitation Sex Tourism |
Author: Hallett, Sophie Title: Review of the Wales Safeguarding Children and Young People from Sexual Exploitation (CSE) statutory guidance Summary: In January 2017, Welsh Government commissioned a review of the Wales Safeguarding Children and Young People from Sexual Exploitation (CSE) Statutory guidance, embedded definition and associated SERAF (Sexual Exploitation Risk Assessment Framework) protocol. The aim of the review was to evaluate how the statutory guidance is working in practice and to review the guidance, embedded definition and SERAF to ensure they are fit for purpose. To that end, the study addressed the following research questions: - Do the different professional groups (police, social care, health, schools, and voluntary sector) know about the Statutory CSE guidance and understand it? - How effective and 'fit for purpose' do professionals from the range of agencies involved consider the guidance to be in terms of: - defining CSE; - identifying and referring children and young people at risk of sexual exploitation and; - accessing support and interventions for young people in a multiagency context? - What examples are there of problems and good practice? -- How effective and 'fit for purpose' do professionals from the range of agencies involved consider the guidance to be in terms of: - preventing and intervening early in child sexual exploitation; - protecting children and young people who are at risk of abuse or are abused through sexual exploitation and; - disrupting and prosecuting those who perpetrate this form of abuse? - What examples are there of problems and good practice? -- What changes are required to: - the guidance; - the definition of CSE and; - the protocol (SERAF) to make the guidance more effective in terms of the above? Details: Cardiff: Welsh Government, 2017. 100p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 8, 2018 at: http://gov.wales/docs/caecd/research/2017/171115-review-safeguarding-children-young-people-sexual-exploitation-en.pdf Year: 2017 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://gov.wales/docs/caecd/research/2017/171115-review-safeguarding-children-young-people-sexual-exploitation-en.pdf Shelf Number: 149494 Keywords: Child Abuse and Neglect Child Pornography Child ProstitutionChild Protection Child Sexual Abuse Child Sexual Exploitation |
Author: Interpol Title: Towards a Global Indicator on Unidentified Victims in Child Sexual Exploitation Material: Technical Report Summary: This report presents the results of a two-part analysis of the multi-country data set contained in the International Child Sexual Exploitation (ICSE) Database housed at INTERPOL and of consultations with law enforcement personnel in relation to the identification of victims and offenders pictured in Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) and Child Sexual Exploitation Material (CSEM) seized by law enforcement around the world. It forms one component of a larger programme of the ICSE Database enhancement activities financed by the European Union and carried out between 2016 and 2018 under the title International Child Sexual Exploitation (ICSE) database Connectivity and Awareness Raising Enhancements (I-CARE) Project. A ground-breaking cooperation between INTERPOL and ECPAT International, the study is broader in country coverage and possibly in other dimensions than any other previously analysed and publicly reported on. It responds to widespread recognition of the scarcity of reliable data and research on CSAM and CSEM to inform evidence-based policy and programmes to tackle the issue and protect children from online sexual exploitation and abuse across the world. It highlights the urgent need to develop representative international baselines of empirical data on the victimisation of children depicted in CSAM and CSEM, and to enhance the response by law enforcement agencies around the world to this problem. The analysis has been subject to a number of legal, institutional and ethical conditions, which have been duly and carefully considered, and which have been addressed in the exercise. Taken together, a comprehensive perspective on the overall database contents, and a mix of quantitative and qualitative findings from a selected sample of observations, has produced a broad range of findings, whose statistical validity has been confirmed by an expert reviewer. The study provides insight based on visual analysis of images and videos into the profile of unidentified child victims and their abusers, including age, gender, and type and severity of abuse, and further presents the results of analysis of case-related metadata for cases recorded as both identified and unidentified in the ICSE Database. It highlights the multi-faceted challenges presented to the law enforcement and child protection community by rapid evolutions in the means available for online child exploitation and abuse as a distinct subset of child sexual abuse and exploitation, and the increasingly complex role played by youth-produced sexual content in this landscape. Through analysis of confirmed and suspected locations of abuse as recorded in the ICSE Database, the study also considers the relationship between resource allocation for victim identification and rates of identification worldwide. The study acknowledges that there are qualitative limitations inherent in the multi-country and multi-user data set of the ICSE Database, but also highlights the unique nature of the data set resulting from this diverse user base. This in turn underlines the distinctive position and potential of the ICSE Database for further technological evolutions, country connections, and as a tool in victim identification efforts, and reinforces the usefulness the ICSE Database for further research and as focal point for future efforts to build a global indicator. Details: Bangkok: ECPAT, 2018. 104p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 16, 2018 at: http://www.ecpat.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Technical-Report-TOWARDS-A-GLOBAL-INDICATOR-ON-UNIDENTIFIED-VICTIMS-IN-CHILD-SEXUAL-EXPLOITATION-MATERIAL.pdf Year: 2018 Country: International URL: http://www.ecpat.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Technical-Report-TOWARDS-A-GLOBAL-INDICATOR-ON-UNIDENTIFIED-VICTIMS-IN-CHILD-SEXUAL-EXPLOITATION-MATERIAL.pdf Shelf Number: 149496 Keywords: Child PornographyChild ProstitutionChild ProtectionChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual ExploitationComputer CrimesInternet CrimesOnline VictimizationSex Trafficking |
Author: ECPAT International Title: Regional Overview: The Sexual Exploitation of Children in Southeast Asia Summary: Southeast Asia has a booming economy and is undergoing impressive growth in a number of sectors. For example, the region has one of the world's fastest growing internet markets, currently with 260 million users and a projected 480 million users by 2020. Mobile connections account for 130% of the population. The continued growth of international arrivals in the region is largely due to increasing numbers of intra-regional and inter-regional tourists and travelers. According to data of the UNWTO, Thailand recorded the world's highest growth in international tourist receipts in 2016. Such developments should result in positive changes in the lives of children - and indeed, significant progress has been made on a number of child rights indicators in the region. Nevertheless there is a dark and disturbing downside to this growth. The proliferation of the internet and related communication technologies has significantly expanded opportunities for child sex offenders to plan their travel, to communicate anonymously with other child sex offenders, to access, produce and disseminate child sex abuse images, and to engage in online sexual encounters with children without them even having to leave their homes. As technology evolves, forms and modus operandi of exploitation also evolve. The rapid growth in travel and tourism increases the number of children vulnerable to sexual exploitation. In the pursuit of economic development, a number of Southeast Asian countries have allowed large-scale foreign investment in tourism and other sectors and the proliferation of Special Economic and Free Trade Zones. These positive economic developments often are accompanied by the building of casinos and entertainment venues including bars and brothels, which can be high-risk locales for children. This report highlights both the domestic and international dimension of the sexual exploitation of children. The vast majority of child sex offenders in Southeast Asia are nationals of the countries of the region, the victims primarily girls. Yet emerging evidence also suggests that a considerable numbers of boys are abused and that foreign child sex offenders are increasingly accessing children through voluntary or professional positions in schools, orphanages, and child care centres Details: Bangkok: ECPAT, 2017. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 16, 2018 at: http://www.ecpat.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Regional-Overview_Southeast-Asia.pdf Year: 2017 Country: Asia URL: http://www.ecpat.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Regional-Overview_Southeast-Asia.pdf Shelf Number: 149499 Keywords: Child PornographyChild ProstitutionChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual ExploitationInternet CrimeOnline VictimizationSex TourismSex Trafficking |
Author: ECPAT International Title: Regional Overview: Combating The Sexual Exploitation of Children in South Asia: Evolving Trends, Existing Responses and Future Priorities Summary: This report offers an overview of the sexual exploitation of children (SEC), including in its commercial forms (CSEC), as it emerges in the eight countries that form South Asia - Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka - and are members of SAARC, the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation. A special focus is placed on three manifestations characterising the regional context, namely, online child sexual exploitation (OCSE), SEC in travel and tourism (SECTT) and SEC in child, early and forced marriage (CEFM). Research studies and regular data generation on issues relating to child sexual abuse and exploitation are scanty in the region because of the cultural sensitivity around the problem and lack of regular programme monitoring systems. This study seeks to offer an overview of the situation of children at risk or victims of SEC on the basis of existing evidence by - Exploring emerging socio-economic drivers compounding the problem; - Analysing the main manifestations of SEC in the specific regional context; - Reviewing the policy and legal responses that enable or, to the contrary, hinder child protection and safety, further calling attention to persisting gaps; and - Finally proposing a set of actions necessary to move forward in the fight against sexual violence against children in South Asia. In 2014, ECPAT had produced a similar document titled The Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children in South Asia. Developments, Progress, Challenges and Recommended Strategies for Civil Society. The present situation analysis not only provides an update of the earlier study, but also a new perspective on the problem. It investigates the various issues relating to SEC from the point of view of a society taking a new development path and undergoing a phase of fast and profound transformation. The point of observation is that of a complex change encompassing substantial economic growth, rapid urbanisation and migration. Increased wealth and mobility, together with the fast penetration of information and communication technologies, are offering unprecedented opportunities to the young generations of South Asians and opening new windows on the rest of the world. The same transformations, however, also expose young people to the risks typically associated with modern living, lifestyles and worldviews. Section 1 of the report, the Introduction, seeks to sketch the backdrop against which SEC is occurring in South Asia as the new does not necessarily replace the old, but rather leads to a stratification of pre-existing and recent manifestations of sexual abuse, exploitation and violence. South Asia is a land of contrasts. As the region is poised to become, with the rest of Asia, the largest global market of the future, a sizeable portion of its population still lives in subsistence economies and traditional communities. The region ranks at the very top globally in a number of significant areas. Economically, South Asia is the fastest growing region worldwide; socially, it is leading the urbanisation of the planet (with the rest of Asia and Africa); and technologically, India alone is one of the three markets with the highest numbers of mobile accounts among young people in the South of the world. However, despite such impressive progress, globally the region still accounts for the largest concentration of people living in absolute poverty; displays some of the worst human development outcomes in areas such as healthcare, schooling and per capita expenditure or income; hosts the majority of modern slaves trapped in forced prostitution, forced marriage, forced labour and organ trafficking; is home to the largest number of child brides and child labourers; is responsible for the bulk of the out-of-school children (together with West Asia and sub-Saharan Africa); and, jointly with Sub-Saharan Africa, accounts for over three quarters of child deaths caused by climate change in recent decades. If history is any guide, the constantly growing size and speed of human and financial flows in the absence of adequate protection policies for vulnerable populations may lead to a hike in sexual violence against children in the future. Research activities in the realm of SEC will need to increasingly focus on such influential trends to analyse how systemic change may impact the safety and protection of children by transforming the root causes of child abuse. Within this backdrop, Section 2 analytically reviews several manifestations of SEC as these emerge in a number of settings such as - Information and communication technologies, whose penetration in South Asia has been growing at a substantially faster pace than other kinds of infrastructure and services necessary for human development, while also, in parallel, rapidly multiplying risks relating primarily to the creation and trade of child sexual abuse material by perpetrators displaying a sexual interest in children, and to sexual harassment and extortion of children online by perpetrators generally known to the victims; - Travel and tourism, in the context of rising trends in international tourist arrivals, matched with a steady increase in domestic travellers who can now reach out to children in novel settings such as homestays or childcare institutions; - Child, early and forced marriage (CEFM), which local cultures may view as a form of protection from sexual harassment for adolescent girls rather than as a condition that can expose girls and women to life-long systematic sexual violence; - Child trafficking still persisting in South Asian countries, despite efforts in this area having been more systematised and institutionalised than in others over time; - Sexual exploitation of children (SEC), continuing in the context of the traditional sex trade and now evolving in technology-facilitated forms; - Child labour, often unrecognised as a vast reservoir for sexual exploitation, but in fact being a major channel to SEC, especially in certain occupations, such as domestic labour, widespread across South Asia; and - Humanitarian crises, conflicts and environmental disasters, which dramatically exacerbate the pre-existing vulnerabilities of children and weaken the capacity of poor communities to protect their families. Section 3 reviews existing legal, policy and programme responses being implemented at local, national and regional levels to address SEC in the areas highlighted in the previous section, while also seeking to identify major gaps and challenges. All South Asian countries have ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography (OPSC), in addition to other important regional instruments (such as the SAARC Convention on Preventing and Combatting Trafficking in Women and Children for Prostitution, and the SAARC Convention on Regional Arrangements for the Promotion of Child Welfare in South Asia). However, the Palermo Protocol on Trafficking in Persons has been fully ratified by only Afghanistan, India, Maldives and Sri Lanka, while none of the SAARC countries has so far developed national legislation harmonised with the OPSC, specific laws addressing issues such as SECTT or OCSE, or substantive extraterritorial jurisdiction. Progressive policies have been designed in the areas of protection of children from sexual offences, trafficking, child labour and early marriage by most countries in the region, while initial attempts have been made to respond to online threats, mainly by setting up webbased portals aimed at spreading information on child trafficking, tracking down trafficked and missing children, and supporting confidential reporting. Lack of proper awareness, implementation and enforcement, however, emerges as the main challenge with regard to the implementation of policies and laws. In addition to efforts by governments, the growing South Asian private sector has also started contributing proactively, especially by adopting more stringent corporate social responsibility (CSR) guidelines. Its involvement in the realm of SEC, however, remains rather limited, especially with reference to the ICT and travel and tourism industries whose role in preventing harm by online and travelling child sex predators would be particularly relevant. Civil society organisations continue to play a key role in the fight against the various manifestations of SEC, although the scope of their interventions may be normally limited to the local level and not always receive adequate support or recognition by the government. Children's and young people's groups have become more active in combatting SEC, even though they need more opportunities to access sexuality education, enhance awareness about online and offline threats, and gain further agency. An important platform for coordination among the various partners involved is the South Asia Initiative to End Violence Against Children (SAIEVAC), a SAARC Apex body acting, since 2005, as an inter-governmental mechanism committed to promoting the rights and protection of children at the regional level. Especially relevant in the context of SEC has been the recent 4th SAIEVAC Ministerial Meeting, held from 9-11 May 2016 in New Delhi, which led to a joint commitment by SAARC Member States to frame a region-wide strategy with the aim of tackling the sexual of children, especially online, through trafficking, and in travel and tourism. Details: Bangkok: ECPAT, 2017. 168p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 16, 2018 at: http://www.ecpat.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Regional-Overview_South-Asia.pdf Year: 2017 Country: Asia URL: http://www.ecpat.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Regional-Overview_South-Asia.pdf Shelf Number: 149500 Keywords: Child Pornography Child Prostitution Child ProtectionChild Sex TourismChild Sexual Abuse Child Sexual Exploitation Computer Crimes Internet Crimes |
Author: National Conference of State Legislatures Title: Safe Harbor: State Efforts to Combat Child Trafficking Summary: Child trafficking crimes - actions that facilitate the commercial sexual exploitation or forced labor of youth - present difficult criminal justice and human services challenges for government officials. State legislators, through the deliberation and enactment of policy, are at the forefront of the current intergovernmental effort to identify and implement effective procedures to combat child traffickers and pursue justice for survivors. A recent trend in state child trafficking policy focuses on treating trafficked youth as survivors of trauma who should be provided rehabilitative services rather than as perpetrators of crimes they were forced to commit. Policies created for this purpose are a subset of child trafficking measures often referred to as safe harbor laws. This report identifies six themes in state safe harbor laws and provides policy alternatives within each theme. The six themes are: Collaboration and coordination of state entities and resources. Decriminalization and/or diversion for actions of trafficked youth. Funds for anti-trafficking efforts and survivor services. Provision of services for youth survivors. Increased penalties for traffickers of children. Training to recognize and respond to trafficking crimes and its victims Details: Washington, DC: NCSL, 2017. 13p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 19, 2018 at: http://www.ncsl.org/Portals/1/Documents/cj/SafeHarbor_v06.pdf Year: 2017 Country: United States URL: Shelf Number: 149504 Keywords: Child ProstitutionChild ProtectionChild Sex TraffickingChild Sexual ExploitationChild TraffickingForced LaborHuman Trafficking |
Author: Dodsworth, Jane Title: An examination of the perspectives and experiences of police officers working with children and young people at risk of, or involved in, child sexual exploitation Summary: In April 2014 Norfolk and Suffolk Constabulary commissioned The Centre for Research on Children and Families (CRCF) in the School of Social Work at the University of East Anglia to undertake a research study to explore the perspectives and experiences of police officers working in Norfolk with young people involved in, or at risk of, involvement in sexual exploitation (CSE). The objective was to increase understanding of what works well, what works less well and to identify any gaps in policy, procedure or practice, in order to inform service provision Key Findings: What Works Well - Four areas stood out as particular strengths in police officers' work with children and young people involved in CSE. These included officers': - Sense of commitment to and passion for CSE work - Awareness of the vulnerability of young people involved in CSE, including awareness of the links between victimisation and offending - Recognition of three categories of young people involved in internet abuse; 'naive' victims 'wise' victims and 'naive' offenders. - Understanding that prevention and proactive early intervention is key Conclusion Although this study has shown that there are identifiable difficulties, pressures and tensions for police officers in Norfolk working in this complex area, what is clearly evident is the high level of commitment to safeguarding, listening to and understanding children and young people at risk of child sexual exploitation. Details: Norwich, UK: Centre for Research on Children and Families University of East Anglia, 2014. 52p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 4, 2018 at: http://www.uea.ac.uk/documents/3437903/4264977/Police+Perspectives+Research+Nov+14.pdf/2f6eafec-9093-44bb-938c-c46c3d88cf32 Year: 2014 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.uea.ac.uk/documents/3437903/4264977/Police+Perspectives+Research+Nov+14.pdf/2f6eafec-9093-44bb-938c-c46c3d88cf32 Shelf Number: 149666 Keywords: At-Risk YouthChild ProstitutionChild ProtectionChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual ExploitationOnline victimizationPolice Officers |
Author: Friedman, Sara Ann Title: Who Is There To Help Us? How the System Fails Sexually Exploited Girls in the United States Examples from Four American Cities Summary: This report signals an Amber Alert for American girls, (under 18 years of age) who, in large numbers, are being prostituted in their own back yards-and back alleys-yet are uncounted, unseen and denied the resources becoming available to girls brought illegally into this country from abroad. Its main purpose is to increase public awareness about the true nature of girls in prostitution, to understand that they are victims, and to press for reform on their behalf, especially in the areas of prevention and services that will assist them to exit "the life" as it is called. The report is primarily a qualitative investigation based on interviews with girls themselves, children's advocates, service providers, law enforcement officials and others, in primarily four cities - New York, Atlanta, Minneapolis, and San Francisco. Little hard data is available. Details: Brooklyn, NY: ECPAT-USA, 2005. 59p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 18, 2018 at: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/594970e91b631b3571be12e2/t/5977b5ded7bdce9b3785afab/1501017567091/WHO-IS-THERE-TO-HELP-US-How-the-System-Fails-Sexually-Exploited-Girls-in-the-United-States-Examples-from-Four-American-Cities-.pdf Year: 2005 Country: United States URL: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/594970e91b631b3571be12e2/t/5977b5ded7bdce9b3785afab/1501017567091/WHO-IS-THERE-TO-HELP-US-How-the-System-Fails-Sexually-Exploited-Girls-in-the-United-States-Examples-from-Four-American-C Shelf Number: 117113 Keywords: Child ProstitutionChild Sexual ExploitationFemale Sexual ExploitationJuvenile Prostitution |
Author: Jay, Alexis Title: Interim Report of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse Summary: The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse ('the Inquiry') was established as an independent statutory inquiry under the Inquiries Act 2005 on 12 March 2015 by the then Home Secretary. The purpose and scope of the Inquiry are set out in its Terms of Reference,1 which state that it is: to consider the extent to which State and non-State institutions have failed in their duty of care to protect children from sexual abuse and exploitation; to consider the extent to which those failings have since been addressed; to identify further action needed to address any failings identified; to consider the steps which it is necessary for State and non-State institutions to take in order to protect children from such abuse in future; and to publish a report with recommendations. The Chair of the Inquiry is Professor Alexis Jay OBE and there are three Panel members: Professor Sir Malcolm Evans KCMG OBE, Ivor Frank and Drusilla Sharpling CBE. The Inquiry's Terms of Reference require it to publish an interim report by the end of 2018. The publication of this report fulfils that responsibility. This report sets out how the Inquiry has undertaken its work (Chapter 2) and describes the nature and effects of child sexual abuse (Chapter 3). It provides an update on the public hearings held by the Inquiry to date (Chapter 4) and on the Inquiry's work considering current responses to tackling child sexual abuse (Chapter 5). The report also considers what the Inquiry has learned so far in relation to four key strategic themes (Chapter 6) and concludes by setting out the Inquiry's work programme for the coming year (Chapter 8). Recommendations for change are made throughout this report - they are also listed in (Chapter 7) for ease of reference. Each recommendation is addressed to an institution. The Inquiry expects institutions to act upon its recommendations and - in the interest of transparency and openness - asks that each institution publishes details of the steps they will take in response to the recommendation, including the timetable involved. This should be done within six months of the publication of this report unless the recommendation says otherwise. Details: London: House of Commons, 2018. 109p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 25, 2018 at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/702667/HC_954-I_-_IICSA_Interim_Report_Web_Accessible.pdf Year: 2018 Country: United Kingdom URL: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/702667/HC_954-I_-_IICSA_Interim_Report_Web_Accessible.pdf Shelf Number: 149894 Keywords: Child Abuse and NeglectChild ProstitutionChild ProtectionChild RapeChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual ExploitationChild TraffickingSex Offenders |
Author: Independent Inquiry Into Child Sexual Abuse Title: Cambridge House, Knowl View and Rochdale: Investigation Report Summary: This investigation report concerns child sexual abuse in Rochdale, relating to Cambridge House, Knowl View School and the late Cyril Smith. We are primarily concerned with the institutional responses of Rochdale Borough Council, the police and the Crown Prosecution Service. Smith first came to prominence as a local councillor, then Mayor and later as Member of Parliament from 1972 until his retirement in 1992. He died in 2010. Cambridge House was a hostel for working boys run by a voluntary organisation of which Smith was Honorary Secretary, and was open from 1962 to 1965. He had ready access to the boys living in the hostel, allegedly facilitating his sexual abuse of them under the guise of 'medical examinations' including, in most cases, of a boy's private parts. He also administered punishment for truancy, illness or absconding, which included spanking a bare bottom. He told police in a written statement in 1970 that at all times he was acting 'in loco parentis' to the boys, but we found it inexplicable that he thought his role permitted 'medical examinations' when he had no medical qualifications. He had considerable control over which boys were admitted to the hostel and, in general, showed a strong, perhaps unduly detailed, interest in children in care as his political career developed. This interest appeared to go unchallenged by the Council. Cyril Smith's prominence and standing in Rochdale allowed him to exert influence on others locally - in particular, to put pressure on them to keep quiet about any allegations of abuse. Although the Lancashire Constabulary investigation into Smith pursued the allegations robustly and diligently, the Director of Public Prosecutions advised that there should be no prosecution. It has been suggested that Smith or his supporters may have exerted improper influence on the Director of Public Prosecutions, but there is no evidence to support such an allegation. Valuable opportunities were, however, lost in 1998 and 1999 to charge and prosecute Smith during his lifetime, and for the complainants of his alleged abuse to seek justice. Smith's standing in public life increased, and in 1988 he was awarded a knighthood for his political services. It is clear that there were some frank discussions at the highest political level about the rumours in circulation about him, with no obvious concern for alleged victims. Rather, the concern was about what would be fair to Smith and whether the honours system might subsequently be brought into disrepute. We concluded that this demonstrated a considerable deference to power and an unwillingness to confront the possibility that a person of public prominence might be capable of perpetrating sexual abuse. Cyril Smith's links to Knowl View School in Rochdale led the Inquiry to a wider investigation of that school and allegations of sexual abuse by other individuals of children who lived there. It was the sexual abuse of children by others that became the focus of the Inquiry's investigation. We heard from complainants of sexual abuse who had been at Knowl View School in a period extending over 25 years, beginning in 1969. The evidence demonstrated that the children who attended the school had a range of complex needs, including learning disabilities, autism and mental health. Many had also suffered from adverse experiences in their family life and had already been abused. We concluded that, far from taking additional steps to protect these children, the school and other institutions had come to regard their sexual abuse while at Knowl View as almost expected, or as something that could not be prevented. The children's experience of the school was extremely poor at the most basic level of the fabric of the building, which bore no resemblance to a homely environment. Nor was the school safe, secure, caring or therapeutic. It was supposed to offer education and care, but in reality it offered neither in any way that could be seen as adequate, let alone nurturing. The institution failed in its basic function to keep children in its care safe from harm and, in particular, safe from sexual harm, both within and outwith the school. Child sexual abuse involving children from Knowl View occurred from its early years onwards. Within the school there was sexual abuse of boys by staff, and of younger boys by older ones. Sexual exploitation of some boys was also taking place in Rochdale town centre, in the public toilets and bus station, by men paying for sex. Some boys were also trafficked to other towns for that purpose. In a particularly shocking incident in 1990, Roderick Hilton, a known sex offender who had previously been convicted of sexually abusing a boy at Knowl View in 1984, gained access to the school and the boys over two nights, when he indecently assaulted at least one of them. Hilton was well known to the staff of the school, who did nothing over many years to deter him targeting the school. He was imprisoned in 1991 for a series of child sexual offences. Despite this, on his release from prison on licence, he continued to be a malign presence at the school, 'little' was done to stop Hilton's continued access to the grounds and buildings. For most of the school's existence, staff were at best complacent but arguably complicit in the abuse they knew to be taking place, and they must take their share of the blame for what was allowed to occur. It was our strong conclusion that Knowl View staff simply treated the sexual abuse between boys as 'normal', without differentiating between what was experimentation and what was coercive and intimidating. There was little evidence that the school appreciated the profound harm that peer-on-peer sexual abuse could cause. Sexual exploitation of children from the school at Smith Street public toilets was known about by the authorities from at least 1989. Indeed, some Social Services' staff could see the toilets from their offices, recognised some of the boys as children in care and were deeply suspicious of what was going on, although there was no apparent follow-up. The records of individual children convey a total lack of urgency on the part of the authorities to address the problem and treat the matters involved for what they were - serious sexual assaults. One boy's file recorded that he had contracted sexually transmitted hepatitis through 'rent boy' activities. We concluded that no one in authority viewed any of this as an urgent child protection issue. Rather, boys as young as 11 were not seen as victims, but as authors of their own abuse. Subsequent police show that the police did not turn a blind eye to the sexual exploitation of boys in Rochdale town centre. They knew children were being exploited in Smith Street toilets, but did not obtain sufficient evidence to prosecute. There is evidence of a willingness on the part of police officers to investigate. Nevertheless, the records that survive do not provide any satisfactory answer as to why police did not charge anyone, despite knowing the names of men involved and obtaining some disclosures from the boys who were victims. etc. Details: London: The Independent Inquiry. 2018. 167p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 28, 2018 at: https://www.iicsa.org.uk/document/cambridge-house-knowl-view-and-rochdale-investigation-report-april-2018 Year: 2018 Country: United Kingdom URL: https://www.iicsa.org.uk/document/cambridge-house-knowl-view-and-rochdale-investigation-report-april-2018 Shelf Number: 149947 Keywords: Child Grooming Child ProstitutionChild Sexual Abuse Child Sexual Exploitation Custodial Institutions Juvenile Detention Centers Juvenile Inmates |
Author: Hurst, Tamara Elizabeth Title: Childhood Emotional Maltreatment and the Prevention of the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children: A Mixed Methods Study Summary: Commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC) is a form of child abuse that involves the sexual use of a child under the age of 18, for an exchange of tangible or intangible goods. This study investigated the influence of childhood emotional maltreatment (CEM) as one area of the complicated issue of childhood vulnerability to recruitment into CSEC, with the goal of informing prevention efforts. CEM has undergone limited investigation with domestic samples of CSEC survivors thus, this study filled a distinct need in this body of empirical research. Using a mixed methods design, the study drew participants from multiple sampling techniques from across four geographic areas in the United States. All participants were adult, female CSEC survivors (N = 40), who were contacted through multiple avenues. Data were collected concurrently utilizing two multiple-choice instruments, the Vulnerability to CSEC Survey developed by the author, and the well-known Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, along with individual semi-structured interviews. Four exploratory research questions guided this study which explored: (i) the social demographics of the survivors/participants, (ii) their resulting influences on vulnerability to CSEC, (iii) experiences with childhood maltreatment, and (iv) themes related to CSEC prevention. Demographically, the sample was predominantly Black/African-American (62.5%, n = 25) or White/Caucasian (30.0%, n = 12), with an average age of 41.35 (SD = 10.08). These women entered sexually exploitive relationships at the median age of 13.13 (SD = 3.35). Main results were: (i) noted chronological age differentiations describing varying pathways into CSEC with younger victims more likely exploited by their families and adolescent/teens more likely exploited by their boyfriends, (ii) internalized racism noted within the African-American participants that seemed to increase vulnerability to CSEC, (iii) noted severe to extreme levels of multiple forms of child maltreatment including emotional abuse/neglect in 97.5% of the sample, and (iv) a lack of outreach/attention/understanding of these women by proximate helping professionals including law enforcement, teachers, and physicians, among others. Implications for social workers and other helping professionals, and as well as strategies for prevention, including education, training and policy recommendations are discussed. Details: Athens, GA: University of Georgia, 2013. 192p. Source: Internet Resource: Dissertation: May 21, 2018 at: https://getd.libs.uga.edu/pdfs/hurst_tamara_e_201312_phd.pdf Year: 2013 Country: United States URL: https://getd.libs.uga.edu/pdfs/hurst_tamara_e_201312_phd.pdf Shelf Number: 150316 Keywords: Child Abuse and Neglect Child Maltreatment Child Pornography Child ProstitutionChild Sexual Exploitation Emotional Abuse |
Author: Internet Watch Foundation Title: Trends in Online Child Sexual Exploitation: Examining the Distribution of Captures of Live-streamed Child Sexual Abuse Summary: This Paper introduces the key findings of a study of the distribution of captures of live-streamed child sexual abuse which were publicly available online during 3 months in 2017 ("the Study"). The Study was carried out by Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) and funded by Microsoft. Over a three-month period between August and October 2017, images and videos meeting the research criteria were identified using a combination of leads from existing IWF data and techniques employed by IWF analysts to proactively locate child sexual abuse imagery being distributed online. The images and videos were then assessed in accordance with IWF's standard procedures for processing child sexual abuse imagery. Data captured in each instance included image category, site type, commerciality, hosting location, and the assessed age and gender of the individuals depicted. During the Study, 2,082 images and videos were assessed as meeting the research criteria. Key findings were: - 96% depicted children on their own, typically in a home setting such as their own bedroom. - 98% of imagery depicted children assessed as 13 years or younger. - 96% of the imagery featured girls. - 40% of the imagery was Category A or B. - 100% of the imagery had been harvested from the original upload location and was being redistributed on third party websites. - 4% of the imagery was captured from mobile-only streaming apps. - 73% of the imagery appeared on 16 dedicated forums with the purpose of advertising paid downloads of videos of webcam child sexual abuse. Key recommendations are: - Recognition of the need for awareness raising programs aimed at educating children and those in a parental role about the risks of live-streaming services; - Wider implementation of tools to tackle online distribution of child sexual abuse imagery by service providers; - Development of new services including video hashing technology to detect duplicate captures of live streamed child sexual abuse which have been redistributed online; - Recognition of legal loopholes facilitating distribution of child sexual abuse imagery and elaboration of policy proposals that can influence positive change. This paper sets out the limitations on the Study and makes recommendations for further research which can be undertaken to expand upon and clarify the findings. It is hoped that by raising awareness of this issue, a multi-agency approach can be taken to help protect children from the immediate and long-term effects of the distribution of permanent records of their sexual abuse. Details: Cambridge, UK: IWF, 2018. 26p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 30, 2018 at: https://www.iwf.org.uk/sites/default/files/inline-files/Distribution%20of%20Captures%20of%20Live-streamed%20Child%20Sexual%20Abuse%20FINAL.pdf Year: 2018 Country: United Kingdom URL: https://www.iwf.org.uk/sites/default/files/inline-files/Distribution%20of%20Captures%20of%20Live-streamed%20Child%20Sexual%20Abuse%20FINAL.pdf Shelf Number: 150409 Keywords: Child PornographyChild ProstitutionChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual ExploitationInternet CrimesSexting |
Author: Guelbart, Michelle Title: No Vacancy for Child Sex Traffickers Impact Report Summary: Child sex trafficking is a problem across the United States. Children as young as 12 and 13 are integrated into the sex industry and are bought and sold alongside adults. While the hospitality industry is not responsible for the exploitation, it does have an important role to play in helping to stop it. Thirteen years ago ECPAT-USA set out to engage the United States travel and tourism industry in protecting children from sex trafficking. This report shows the results of that effort. An evaluation study conducted by the NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service has collected data demonstrating the results of this work. We now know that half of all hotels in the U.S. have training about how to prevent and disrupt child sex trafficking and at least 35% of those have ECPAT-USA training. Additionally, most hotel properties received training from their parent companies, which reinforces the efficacy of partnering with hospitality brands to reach properties on the ground level. This impact report described has four sections. The first is a discussion about why and how ECPATUSA works with the hospitality industry. The second section is a description of the resources and tools that are now available to the hospitality industry throughout the United States. These have been made possible because of the industry's willingness to invest resources into creating and disseminating them. The third section is a description of the extent and impact of training now available to the hospitality industry in the U.S. The fourth and final section contains recommendations for how to continue and expand the success that has been achieved. Details: Brooklyn, NY: ECPAT-USA, 2017. 20p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed June 5, 2018 at: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/594970e91b631b3571be12e2/t/59c9b6bfb07869cc5d792b8c/1506391761747/NoVacany_Report.pdf Year: 2017 Country: United States URL: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/594970e91b631b3571be12e2/t/59c9b6bfb07869cc5d792b8c/1506391761747/NoVacany_Report.pdf Shelf Number: 150474 Keywords: Child ProstitutionChild Sex TraffickingChild Sexual ExploitationChild TraffickingHotel SecurityHotels and CrimeSex Tourism |
Author: Bjorkman Nyqvist, Martina Title: Understanding Human Trafficking Using Victim-Level Data Summary: Quantitative research on human trafficking is scant due to lack of data. This study makes use of a unique survey we collected on former victims of trafficking and vulnerable women and girls in the Philippines. We start by exploring the correlates of trafficking and show that household composition (in particular the presence of older sisters) and plausibly exogenous measures of health and economic shocks predict the likelihood of being tracked. We then study the effects of trafficking on victims' intertemporal and risk preferences using entropy balancing. We find that trafficking victims are not differentially patient, but they are more risk-loving. Our novel data and findings are pertinent to the design of policies intending to prevent trafficking and reintegrate victims. Details: London: Centre for Economic Policy Research, 2018. 52p. Source: Internet Resource: Discussion Paper DP13279: Accessed February 15, 2019 at: https://cepr.org/active/publications/discussion_papers/dp.php?dpno=13279 Year: 2018 Country: Philippines URL: https://cepr.org/active/publications/discussion_papers/dp.php?dpno=13279 Shelf Number: 154615 Keywords: Child Labor Child ProstitutionChild Trafficking Human Trafficking Prostitution Victims of Trafficking |
Author: International Labour Organization Title: Tracer Study - Paraguay Summary: The study was carried out in Paraguay during the first semester of 2011. It focuses on action programmes (AP) implemented e between 2002 and 2007 by eight IPEC partners in the in the sectors of child domestic work (CDW) and commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC). This qualitative-based research is built upon the analysis of 24 cases using the primary sources of the testimonies of AP former beneficiaries, their family members and relatives as well as local AP and communities' resource people. The main goal of this study is to describe and explain changes in the life of former beneficiaries, identifying the influence of the interventions on their current situation. The qualitative research seeks to provide a deeper understanding of the facts based on the determination of a diversity of situations, patterns and commonalities as well as the potential influence of action programmes on those changes. A first relevant aspect that was found was of the withdrawal of child labour and situations of exploitation, both immediately, i.e. at the time of the AP implementation, and gradually. Even if this is not absolute, it is possible to conclude that the programs were an opportunity for former beneficiaries helping them to be redirected to other forms of work, free of exploitation, to obtain tools, take up their studies again or continue in school. Important changes in schooling were also detected, such as the possibility to resume studies previously dropped, regulate school attendance, reinforce school performance and access vocational training. In cases of commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC), which generally involve less advantaged children, results are less significant than in the child domestic work (CDW) context, many of whom were already in the formal education system. In some cases, children have been able to keep studying after primary and secondary education, getting a technical higher training or even university education. In spite of being removed from child labour and previous conditions of exploitation, many times former beneficiaries have not been able to access non-precarious work situations offering a tangible way out of poverty. This obstacle constitutes the main limitation of AP: facing the challenge of removing children from exploitation and hazardous work. In the CDW cases studied it must be pointed out that the job placements were found out of CDW, even if some children were referred to related activities like cooking. On the contrary, in CSEC cases, CDW was often perceived as one of the few ways out, especially by young girls and young women. Participation in AP is sometimes considered as a milestone in the life of the beneficiaries: it offers them support, contact with people interested in their well-being and new possibilities. It is especially important as sometimes it is the first time that those children experience a human bond other than abuse and exploitations. AP provided them with an opportunity to break away from the idea of an inexorable fate and to hope for a change in their life. AP's intervention has most certainly allowed the former beneficiaries and also their family members and relatives to get familiar with the idea of rights and the rights that they are entitled to. In fact, most of them express their agreement on the inadmissibility of child labour and that it must be prevented. In fact, except for a few cases, individuals who benefited from AP stated that they would not allow their own children to work in child labour or to live in similar conditions. In this respect, AP should be considered as a chance to break the cycle inexorably linking poverty to child labour and child exploitation, opening new prospects and perspectives in the lives of these people. Finally, the research shows a positive vision of AP effects on the above mentioned areas, in spite of the many limitations that arose. Details: Geneva, SWIT: ILO, 2012. 106p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 15, 2019 at: https://www.ilo.org/ipec/Informationresources/WCMS_210519/lang--en/index.htm (Available in Spanish and French) Year: 2012 Country: Paraguay URL: https://www.ilo.org/ipec/Informationresources/WCMS_210519/lang--en/index.htm Shelf Number: 154627 Keywords: Child Exploitation Child Labor Child ProstitutionChild Sexual Exploitation Sex Industry |
Author: Sathyanarayanan, Sunethra Title: Iraq - Country Overview. A report on the scale, scope and context of the sexual exploitation of children Summary: Iraq has a total population of more than 37 million, of which 47% are children. Years of conflict, including insurgency from the militant group Da'esh (also known as ISIL) and hosting up to 250,00 refugees from neighbouring Syria, have exacerbated the range of risks that children face, including to sexual exploitation. Boys and girls from persecuted groups have faced high levels of sexual violence and exploitation either through recruitment into ISIL forces or through sexual enslavement by its members. Other children resorted to survival sex in desperation to escape the environment of violence and abuse and the lack of livelihood opportunities. Poverty and extremely limited opportunities force people, including boys and girls into exploitative conditions in order to survive or provide for their families. Boys have reported being required to provide sexual services to receive their wages in some working conditions. Girls escaping violence, abuse, forced marriages or so-called 'honour killings' are exploited by recruiters. Details of elaborate systems established for trafficking women and girls have been reported in areas previously controlled by ISIL. National law enforcement and protection systems are stretched beyond breaking point, which has led to situations that allow child sex offenders to abuse with impunity. Instances of sexual exploitation of children through prostitution have been reportedly protected by complicit police and security forces. Instances of IDP and refugee At a Glance camp administrators have also been exposed as demanding sex, including with children, for food. Sharp increases in access to technology see 80% of 15-year olds having access to a mobile phone, with many also online via these devices. Risks are increased from the big generational gap in Internet use meaning parents are unaware of the risks to online sexual exploitation that children face. Cases of sexual extortion where perpetrators threaten to expose private images have been reported that can lead to ongoing instances of sexual exploitation or even trafficking. Since the retreat of ISIL forces in 2017, tourism has surged, particularly in the more stable Kurdistan Region of Iraq region, with tourist numbers hitting 1.3 million within the first half of 2018. As tourism grows, so may sexual exploitation of children in this context. While the legal age for marriage is 18, many marriages are conducted outside the formal legal system without registration, meaning child marriage rates are likely to be higher than the roughly 24% of girls that has been reported. Child marriage can be viewed as a protection mechanism. For example, it was used to prevent girls being married to men associated with ISIL, or families in poverty benefit from bride price. Fasliya marriages (gifting a female to another tribe through marriage) are also practiced in some areas, particularly the south of the country. Details: Bangkok, Thailand: ECPAT International, 2019. 29p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 4, 2019 at: https://www.ecpat.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Iraq-ECPAT-International-Country-Overview-Report-2019.pdf Year: 2019 Country: Iraq URL: https://www.ecpat.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Iraq-ECPAT-International-Country-Overview-Report-2019.pdf Shelf Number: 155622 Keywords: Child MarriageChild ProstitutionChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual ExploitationSexual Abuse |
Author: International Centre for Missing & Exploited Chidlren Title: Studies in Child Protection: Technology-Facilitated Child Sex Trafficking Summary: Trafficking of children for sexual purposes, or child sex trafficking2, is defined internationally as: the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of persons, by means of the threat or use of force or other forms of coercion, of abduction, of fraud, of deception, of the abuse of power or of a position of vulnerability or of the giving or receiving of payments or benefits to achieve the consent of a person having control over another person, for the purpose of exploitation. Exploitation shall include, at a minimum, the exploitation of the prostitution of others or other forms of sexual exploitation, forced labour or services, slavery or practices similar to slavery, servitude or the removal of organs. The Internet and related technologies are increasingly becoming the predominant mechanism by which children are lured, entrapped, and forced into modern-day enslavement for sexual purposes. While child sex trafficking is not a new crime, the use of technology to facilitate this crime is. As the Internet is highly unregulated and provides anonymity, accessibility, and global reach, the use of technology by traffickers will likely become even more prevalent. In general, traffickers are criminals "who enable or partake in the trade and exploitation of human beings." Online traffickers use information and communications technologies (ICTs) to seek out vulnerable children, recruit victims, and advertise/sell victims to offenders through social media, messaging applications, online ads, and peer-to-peer file sharing servers with the intent to exploit the victims for profit. Using the Internet and related technologies, traffickers may lure victims by posting false job advertisements, promising fame or money, expressing love or praise, or threatening harm or death to the victim and/or their family. Traffickers may use social media platforms to gain trust and build relationships by showing admiration or desire for the child, acting as a friend, and eventually employing tactics such as manipulation, coercion, and control to lure them away from their homes and loved ones. Child sex traffickers may be strangers, but they can also be family members, friends, guardians, or acquaintances.10 Nearly half of all identified cases of child trafficking begin with some family member involvement and the extent of family involvement in the trafficking of children is up to four times higher than in cases of adult trafficking. The high demand for children for sexual purposes has generated such high profits that many organized crime groups are turning away from other illicit activities to devote their resources to the trafficking of minors. Human trafficking appeals to criminal organizations as "it is becoming increasingly easy and inexpensive to procure, move and exploit vulnerable girls." Additionally, the relatively low risk of detection and prosecution of technology-facilitated child sex trafficking compared to the risk associated with traditional, "in-person" forms of trafficking makes online sex trafficking an attractive illegal activity in which to engage. One child can generate a profit of several thousand dollars a day for traffickers and can be abused and sold repeatedly, unlike other forms of illicit trade like drug trafficking. The International Labour Organization (ILO) estimates that "globally, two-thirds of the profits from forced labour are generated by forced sexual exploitation, amounting to an estimated US$99 billion per year." Approximately 5.5 million children under the age of 18 are forced into labor, and it is estimated that more than one million are victims of forced sexual exploitation. With the growth of Internet usage, a child's risk of being targeted increases; technology has lowered the bar of entry to the criminal world, which has had an expansive effect on the growth of modern slavery. Our challenge is that technology is taking slavery into a darker corner of the world where law enforcement techniques and capabilities are not as strong as they are offline." Strategies to address technology-facilitated child sex trafficking must address the misuse of ICTs to facilitate it and harness the potential of ICTs to combat it The world has seen an increase in international, regional, and national laws addressing cybercrime and human trafficking; however, international law is silent on several key issues - namely, the use of ICTs to: 1) recruit child sex trafficking victims; 2) advertise the sexual services of these victims; and 3) provide or receive payments or benefits from the sexual exploitation of children. To address these legal gaps, ideally international legislation should be enacted to include: - A uniform definition of technology-facilitated child sex trafficking; - Statutes punishing the use of ICTs to recruit child victims, advertise their sexual services, and send and receive payments for sexual exploitation of children; and - Requisite punishment. The Internet has global reach, which fuels the need for international legal cooperation to develop more stringent, overt laws to protect children from technology-facilitated child sex trafficking. While vast research exists regarding child sex trafficking broadly, this paper specifically focuses on: how and why technology is increasingly used to recruit, advertise, and send/receive payments for child sex trafficking; examining available international and regional legal instruments; reviewing a sampling of relevant national legislation; presenting model legislative language for consideration; and discussing the role of the technology and financial industries to deter traffickers from misusing their platforms to sexually exploit children. The report is further intended to support and promote the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in particular SDG 16.220 on ending the abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children, and contribute to reaching the goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development by demonstrating our organizational commitment, helping raise awareness of the issues, and promoting the rule of law at the national and international levels. Additionally, the report contributes to the Implementation and Enforcement of Laws strategy, the first of the seven INSPIRE strategies developed by the World Health Organization (WHO), in particular core indicators 3.1 through 3.6 (i.e., laws and policies, awareness of laws, review of legal and policy framework)22; and helps to implement the WePROTECT Global Alliance to End Child Sexual Exploitation Online Model National Response (MNR) - specifically capabilities 2 (Research, Analysis and Monitoring) and 3 (Legislation) under Policy and Governance23. Details: Alexandria, VA: The Centre, 2018. 50p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 10, 2019 at: https://www.icmec.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Technology-Facilitated-Child-Sex-Trafficking_final_11-30-18.pdf Year: 2018 Country: International URL: https://www.icmec.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Technology-Facilitated-Child-Sex-Trafficking_final_11-30-18.pdf Shelf Number: 155745 Keywords: Child GroomingChild PornographyChild ProstitutionChild ProtectionChild Sexual ExploitationChild TraffickingForced LaborModern SlaveryOnline Child Sexual AbuseRevenge PornographySextortionSocial Media |
Author: Thimanna, Sanchia Title: ECPAT Country Overview: Czechia Summary: Czechia is a central European country with a population of 10.7 million of which 1.8 million are children. Although a high-income country ranking 27th on the Human Development Index, poverty driven by socioeconomic inequality and ethnic discrimination continues to persist in Czechia. Children belonging to marginalized groups often live in excluded localities with substandard housing and drop out of school early to escape from discrimination entrenched in the education system. These factors contribute to making children highly vulnerable to sexual exploitation. In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of reported cases of exploitation of children in prostitution in Czechia, including those of very young children. High rates of Internet and mobile phone use among children in the country have facilitated online child sexual exploitation, by making it easier for perpetrators to establish contact with them. The sharing of self-generated sexual content among children is also a matter of growing concern. Czechia continues to be a source, transit and destination country for human trafficking, with children comprising more than half of the identified victims of sale and trafficking for sexual purposes. The risk of sexual exploitation of children in travel and tourism is of grave importance, particularly in light of the exponential increase in the number travellers and tourists in the country. An emerging trend of cross-border trafficking for the purpose of fraudulent marriages has also put children in Czechia at risk. The country has ratified the main legal instruments to combat the sexual exploitation of children (SEC), including the Convention on the Rights of the Child and its Optional Protocol on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography, as well as the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons Especially Women and Children, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (Palermo Protocol). Czechia is also part of a number of international and regional commitments addressing SEC, such as the Sustainable Development Goals and the WePROTECT Global Alliance to End Child Sexual Exploitation Online. However, amendments to the national legislation are yet to be made for the definitions of all SEC-related offences to align with the ratified instruments and commitments. Further, loopholes in the legal framework need to be fixed in order to protect children above 15 years of age. Czechia does not have a national strategy or coordination body specifically addressing SEC. Some aspects of SEC are addressed within broader national strategies by different government bodies, mainly the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs. The trafficking of children has been prioritized in the National Strategy to Combat Trafficking in Human Beings 2016-2019. Efforts have been made by the government to implement prevention measures through raising awareness, with much focus on safer Internet use by children. In terms of children's access to justice, Czechia does not have an Ombudsperson for Children to receive and resolve complaints made by children. Nevertheless, several child-sensitive measures have been put in place, including trainings for law enforcement personnel on how to communicate with child victims in specially designed hearing rooms. Czechia does not have specific recovery and reintegration services for victims of SEC, and could benefit from having clearer avenues for child victims to seek compensation. Although there has been progress in children's participation in matters of governance, efforts must be made to involve child victims and survivors in order to take their needs and interests into consideration while designing policies. Details: Bangkok: ECPAT International, 2019. 32p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 20, 2019 at: https://www.ecpat.org/news/czechia-child-sexual-exploitation-through-prostitution-reaches-new-high/ecpat-country-overview-czechia-czech-republic-2019/ Year: 2019 Country: Czech Republic URL: https://www.ecpat.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/ECPAT-Country-Overview-Czechia-Czech-Republic-2019.pdf Shelf Number: 155932 Keywords: Child Abuse and Neglect Child Prostitution Child Sexual Abuse Child Sexual Exploitation Child Victims CzechiaForced Marriage Sexual Exploitation of Children Sexual Exploitation of Children in Travel and Tour |