NCJ Number
242879
Date Published
2013
Length
100 pages
Annotation
This report from the California Child Welfare Council examines innovative ways for ending the commercial sexual exploitation of children in the State.
Abstract
Recent research indicates that the State of California has emerged as a magnet for commercial sexual exploitation of children. This report from the California Child Welfare Council examines innovative ways for ending the commercial sexual exploitation (CSE) of children in the State. The report advises the State to develop a comprehensive and collaborative response to child victims of CSE in order to ensure that these children receive the services they need to overcome the trauma they have suffered and to live healthy, productive lives. The integrated strategy should include the following: safety planning for both clients and the staff serving them; collaboration across the multiple systems and agencies; trust and relationship building to foster consistency; culturally competent and appropriate service provision; trauma-informed programming; and involvement by survivors of CSE in the development and implementation of programming. The information in this report is presented in eight chapters. Chapter 1 presents the horrors that children experience through CSE while chapter 2 discusses the prevalence of children exposed to CSE and defines the scope of the problem. Chapter 3 focuses on the need for child-serving systems to identify child victims of CSE and children at risk of CSE. Chapter 4outlines models and approaches for addressing the needs of these children, while chapter 5 identifies strategies for preventing CSE, including reducing demand for commercial sex. Chapter 6 describes the response by the international community, and also explores the Federal and State governments' responses to combatting CSE. Chapter 7 of the report provides recommendations for a collaborative and comprehensive response to CSE in California, while chapter 8 discusses the establishment and aims of the CSEC Action Committee. Appendixes