NCJ Number
87283
Date Published
1982
Length
168 pages
Annotation
Testimony examines the etiology of child prostitution and child pornography, the response of law enforcement and social services to these problems, and how the Federal Government might assist the States in addressing the issues.
Abstract
Testimony from a juvenile male prostitute describes the exploitative world in which many juveniles, particularly runaways, try to survive by becoming objects and products in the sexual marketplace, and the testimony of the Illinois prosecutor involved in the John Gacy mass murders of boys who had been sexually involved with him examines how youth become vulnerable to adults who would exploit and harm them in sex-related encounters. Father Bruce Ritter, the Founder of Covenant House in New York City, which works with runaway and 'street' youth, identifies the problems of countering the destructive consequences of the world of commercial sex which feeds upon juveniles desperate to suvive. Father Ritter views the criminal justice system as being too limited in its resources and strategies to deal with the problem. The vice chairman of the Jefferson County Task Force on Child Prostitution and Pornography (Kentucky) describes the work of the task force, particularly the structure of cooperation established between law enforcement and social services in their joint efforts to deal with child prostitution and pornography. Testimony is also provided from representatives of the American Bar Association regarding what the Association is doing in the area of child sexual exploitation, and suggestions are offered for how the Federal Government might provide assistance. Witnesses generally agreed that resources are desperately needed to increase the effectiveness of law enforcement and social services in dealing with youth involved in and at risk of becoming involved in child prostitution and pornography. A written statement documents what the Department of Health and Human Services is currently doing to deal with these problems. For individual entries, see NCJ 87284-86.