Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children

Every day in the United States, children and adolescents are victims of commercial sexual exploitation and sex trafficking (CSEC). CSEC has serious and long-term consequences for victims as well as their families, communities and society.  The Norfolk Advocates For Children has created a task force to address these issues because efforts to prevent, identify and respond to these crimes are often under-supported, uncoordinated and unevaluated.

Confronting Commercial Sexual Exploitation and Sex Trafficking of Minors in the United States examines commercial sexual exploitation and sex trafficking of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents of the United States under age 18. According to this report, efforts to prevent, identify, and respond to these crimes require better collaborative approaches that build upon the capabilities of people and entities from a range of sectors. In addition, such efforts need to confront demand and the individuals who commit and benefit from these crimes. The report recommends increased awareness and understanding, strengthening of the law’s response, strengthening of research to advance understanding and to support the development of prevention and intervention strategies, support for multi-sector and interagency collaboration, and creation of a digital information-sharing platform.

A sexually exploited child is:

  1. Under 18 years
  2. A child who engages, agrees to engage or offers to engage in sexual conduct in exchange for money, food, shelter, clothing, education or care

Exploited youth are not “child prostitutes”; they are child victims

What does CSEC include:

  1. Street prostitution (crimes of “sex for a fee” or “common night walking”)
  2. Pornography
  3. Stripping
  4. Erotic/nude massage
  5. Escort services
  6. Phone sex lines
  7. Private parties
  8. Gang-based prostitution
  9. Interfamilial pimping
  10. Forms of Internet-based exploitation

Norfolk County has a specific multidisciplinary team response to cases of exploited youth.

To learn more about the Norfolk County’s CSEC Protocol, please reach out to the CSEC Coordinator Emily Uprety at Emily.Uprety@mass.gov or 781-830- 4851