human trafficking defined
CHILD SEXUAL EXPLOITATION
The rapidly increasing crime of
Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children and Youth (CSECY) is defined as sexual abuse of a minor for economic gain. It involves physical abuse, pornography, prostitution and the smuggling of children for unlawful purposes. CSECY is a form of human trafficking. CSECY is a form of human trafficking. Human trafficking is a worldwide, billion-dollar-a-year industry. According to the State Office of the Attorney General, human trafficking is the world’s second most profitable criminal enterprise.
HIGH CSECY RATES IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Three of the nation’s 13 high-intensity child prostitution areas as identified by the FBI are located in California:
children robbed of their childhood
PROVIDING BASIC SURVIVAL NEEDS
Sex traffickers lure their victims by
Sex traffickers systematically provide distorted versions of higher needs to manipulate victims. Using threats, force and coercion, traffickers exploit the fact that, for many victims, “the life” may be their first experience of ‘family’ and belonging.
VICTIMS:
(All children are vulnerable)
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Girls, boys, transgender youth from any background can be targeted
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Average age of the victims enter trafficking is 12-14 years old
THE PERPETRATORS:
(Exploiters, Traffickers or Pimps)
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Predators who seek out vulnerable victims
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Anyone, including family members, boyfriends or other trusted adults
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Although exploiters often target children outside of their family, a family member may also prostitute a child
Los Angeles
San Francisco
San Diego Metro Area
victimization: How it happens
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Victims are often hidden from view, often going unnoticed
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Pimps and other exploiters scout bus stations, arcades, malls and social networking websites, honing in on children who appear to be runaways who may be experiencing trouble at homes
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They befriend the youth by showing them affection; buying them clothes, meals, jewelry, beauty/grooming (i.e., manicures) and/or offering shelter in exchange for sex
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False promises of a “better life” are an important recruitment tool but the reality is that all money is turned over to the pimp/trafficker and children are exploited for monetary gain and sexual gratification of the exploiters and their clients
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The pimp/trafficker creates a seemingly loving and caring relationship with the child in order to establish trust and loyalty
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Pimps and exploiters eventually (as little as 2 weeks) use the child’s emotional and financial dependency to coerce them into selling sex for money
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The manipulation tactics used by the exploiter ensures that the child will remain loyal to him/her despite acts of violence and severe victimization against the child
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Children are threatened or may be assaulted to guarantee obedience and prevent their escape
“My job is to make sure she has what she needs, personal hygiene, get her nails done, take her to buy an outfit, take her out to eat, make her feel wanted…but I keep the money.”
Many sex traffickers lure victims by providing basic survival needs. They systematically provide distorted versions of higher needs to manipulate victims. Using threats, force and coercion, traffickers exploit the fact that, for many victims, “the life” may be their first experience of ‘family’ and belonging.
– Convicted Pimp, Antoin Thurman
As quoted in the New York Times investigative series,
Running in the Shadows: Children on Their Own (2009)
SELF-ACTUALIZATION
SELF-ESTEEM
LOVE & BELONGING
SAFETY & SECURITY
PHYSIOLOGICAL NEEDS
PREYING ON THE DEFENSELESS
TO LURE THEIR VICTIMS
Methods sex traffickers use
The Psychological Impact
OF CSECY ON GROWING CHILDREN
long term effects of csecy
Abused and exploited by the pimp, the child is then left traumatized, alone and without support. In addition, the victim may experience a range of emotional or psychological distress, including:
• Anger control issues
• Anxiety
• Attention deficit/impulse control issues
• Depression
• Difficulty forming positive relations with others
• Difficulty managing moods
• Guilt
• Isolation
• Thoughts of suicide or self-destructive behavior
• Trauma (complex trauma/trauma-bonding)
We must address foster youth’s realities,
if we are going to create successful strategies.
GOL CSECY programs
Guardians of Love is committed to utilizing strategies to prevent Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children and Youth. Our CSECY programs include:
CSECY Training Classes
CSECY Awareness Events
If you or someone you know is a victim of human trafficking, call, text or visit the website below:
Call: 888.373.7888 (TTY: 711)
Text: 233733
Prevention & Crisis
Intervention Services
CSECY Task Force
Participation