11/05/2022
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Child S*x Trafficking landing page
Overview Risk Factors Indicators By the Numbers What NCMEC is Doing About it Expert Consultants
Report Child S*x Trafficking to the CyberTipline!
Overview
Child s*x trafficking is a form of child abuse that occurs when a child under 18 is advertised, solicited or exploited through a commercial s*x act. A commercial s*x act is any s*x act where something of value – such as money, drugs or a place to stay – is given to or received by any person for s*xual activity.
While any child can be targeted by a trafficker, research, data and survivor lived experience and expertise have revealed traffickers and buyers often target youth who lack strong support networks, have experienced violence in the past, are experiencing homelessness, or are marginalized by society. Traffickers are masters of manipulation and prey upon vulnerabilities using psychological pressure and intimidation to control and s*xually exploit the child for their benefit. The issue of child s*x trafficking is complex. Understanding the various forms of child s*x trafficking and indicators can create opportunities for prevention, identification and response. Most importantly NCMEC embraces and encourages all efforts on this issue to be survivor-informed, child-centered, and trauma-informed. Below are some examples of child s*x trafficking:
Pimp-Controlled Trafficking
Child is trafficked by an unrelated individual, male or female, who often develops an intentional relationship with the child which is later used as leverage in the exploitation.
Familial Trafficking
Child is trafficked by a relative or a person who is perceived by the child to be a family member such as individuals referred to as “auntie” or “uncle” but are not directly related to the child.
Gang-Controlled Trafficking
Child is trafficked by a member of a gang or trafficked by the gang. Gangs leverage their organizational structure, violence, and local, national and international networks to instill fear and loyalty in the child victim.
Buyer-Perpetrated Trafficking
Child is being trafficked but does not have an identified trafficker. Instead, the buyer is directly exploiting the child’s vulnerabilities by offering money, food, and/or shelter in exchange for the s*xual exploitation.
Child s*x trafficking can have devastating immediate and long-term consequences, including health impacts, psychological and physical trauma and even death.
Prevention and intervention are key to keeping children safer. After making a missing child report to law enforcement we encourage law enforcement, parents, and legal guardians to report ALL missing children, especially children who have run away, to NCMEC by calling 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678). Next, if you are concerned about potential child s*x trafficking activity or see situations including the indicators listed below please make a report to NCMEC’s CyberTipline or call 1-800-THE-LOST.
Risk Factors
Understanding common risk factors helps identify opportunities to proactively intervene in an effort to prevent child s*x trafficking. We’ve organized these factors into three categories. The list below is not exhaustive and many factors may be interconnected.
Societal & Environmental
Racism
Bullying
Lack of resources
Involvement in child welfare or juvenile justice systems
Gang activity
S*xism
Xenophobia
Family
Inter-generational s*xual abuse
Lack of acceptance of gender identity or s*xual orientation
Housing instability/homelessness
Immigration status
Adverse childhood experiences:
Domestic violence
Household substance abuse
Physical/emotional neglect or abuse
S*xual abuse
Families with untreated mental health issues
Individual
History of trauma
Lack of supportive family or adult figures
Low self-esteem
Developmental or physical disability
Substance abuse
Child S*x Trafficking Indicators
Child S*x Trafficking Vulnerabilities
Indicators
Survivors of child s*x trafficking often are unable to self-identify as victims or disclose their abuse because of fear, shame or loyalty to their abuser(s). It is not a child’s responsibility to ask for help. It is up to professionals and trusted adults in the child’s life to recognize the signs associated with child s*x trafficking.
Red flags or indicators should not be considered a checklist or an assessment tool. Rather, if observed they may be an opportunity to ask more questions, make a report to NCMEC’s CyberTipline or connect the child to resources for prevention or intervention.
Physical Indicators
Signs of s*xual or physical abuse
Symptoms of neglect such as malnourishment
Unaddressed or chronic medical/dental issues or STIs
Close association with an overly controlling adult
Recovered at hotels, street tracks, strip clubs, or other locations where commercial s*x is known to occur
Has a secret cell phone or apps providing multiple cellphone numbers
In possession of material items inconsistent with the child’s access to money or socioeconomic status
Living out of suitcases, motels, in a car or other evidence of housing insecurity
In possession of bulk s*xual paraphernalia such as condoms or lubricant
Unexplained access to large amounts of cash, pre-paid cards, or hotel keys
Tattoos or other branding, such as those indicating money or matching other known trafficking victims, or that the child is reluctant to explain
References traveling to other cities or states while missing, or while their whereabouts were unknown
Drug abuse or frequent use of “party drugs” such as GHB, Rohypnol, Ketamine, M**A (Ecstasy), or Methamphetamines
Behavioral Indicators
Chronically runs away from home (especially 3+ missing incidents)
Unexplained absences from school
Constantly sleeps during class
Stops engaging in activities they previously enjoyed
Abruptly disconnects from family and friends
Significant changes in behavior, including their online activity
Appears overly frightened, annoyed, resistant, or belligerent to authority figures
Avoids answering questions or lets others speak for them
Lies about age and identity or has a secret online profile
Uses language or emojis often associated with commercial s*x such as “trick”, “the life”, or “the game”
References online es**rt ads or dating websites/apps
By the Numbers
In 2021, NCMEC received more than
17,200 reports
of possible child s*x trafficking.
NCMEC has received reports of child s*x trafficking in
all 50 U.S. States, Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico.
These reports include incidents occurring in every type of community: suburban, rural, urban, and tribal lands.
Trends show us that when children run away frequently or for long periods of time, they tend to be running from an unsafe situation or to an unsafe situation.
1 in 6
of the more than 25,000 cases of children reported missing to NCMEC in 2021 who had run away were likely victims of child s*x trafficking.
Of the children reported missing to NCMEC in 2021, who had run from the care of child welfare,
19%
were likely victims of child s*x trafficking.
What NCMEC is Doing About it
Providing a Specialized Response
NCMEC provides training, case management, clearinghouse resources, analytical support, family and peer support, and recovery services assistance on reports involving child s*x trafficking, including:
Child S*x Trafficking Analytical Team
The Child S*x Trafficking Team resources are available to law enforcement only. For assistance please reach out to 1-800-THE-LOST and ask to speak with a member of this team.
Reviews CyberTipline reports relating to child s*x trafficking and makes them available to law enforcement for review and potential investigation;
Conducts link analysis to connect potential victims and/or offenders in multiple states or locations;
Provides specialized child s*x trafficking analytical assistance to law enforcement to assist with the location and recovery of survivors;
Leverages open source data and specialized child s*x trafficking technology tools to develop information and leads;
Analyzes phone numbers, names, email addresses, and/or publicly accessible online presence of possible traffickers to support law enforcement with the location and recovery of missing children exploited through child s*x trafficking.
Child S*x Trafficking Recovery Planning and Services
The Child S*x Trafficking Recovery Services Team (RST) provides specialized technical assistance and resources to child welfare workers, foster parents and law enforcement who are working with missing children who are also victims of child s*x trafficking. RST Resource Specialists provide knowledge and guidance on promising practices in trauma-informed response by making connections to statewide and local specialized child s*x trafficking resources. RST Resource Specialists are prepared to assist in the development of intentional, trauma-informed, and victim-centered plans which have been proven to build rapport, increase opportunities for youth engagement, and reduce trauma responses.
In areas where specialized child s*x trafficking resources are limited, RST Resource Specialists can provide support by offering guidance to organizations that are willing to expand programming to include CST survivors. In these situations, Resource specialists can offer staff training, case staffing and guidance, and offer to connect agencies with other resources to help meet the complex needs of survivors of CST. Support will be available as requested, and developed based on the needs of each individual case and survivor. For more information, click here.
Family Advocacy & Support
NCMEC provides assistance and support to families impacted by child s*x trafficking. Family Advocacy Specialists offer crisis intervention to families as well as local referrals to appropriate professionals for longer-term support. Families of exploited children often feel alone in their struggle and overwhelmed by the issues impacting their lives. NCMEC’s Team HOPE is a volunteer program that connects families to others who have experienced the crisis of a s*xually exploited child. These trained volunteers offer peer support, coping skills, and compassion.
Prioritizing Survivor Leadership & Voice
In 2020, NCMEC launched the Child S*x Trafficking Survivor Expert Working Group to strengthen our existing efforts to prevent, identify and serve survivors of child s*x trafficking. This incredible group is working with NCMEC to ensure our programs are informed by the lived experience and expertise of individuals who have survived this type of abuse. Each of the 15 members from across the nation has been brought onto the NCMEC team as independent Expert Consultants representing diverse professional, experiential and cultural perspectives, and are helping to bring a child s*x trafficking survivor informed lens to our work.
NCMEC CST Expert Consultants
Dr. Alexandra (Sandi) Pierce
Applied Sociologist, Othayonih Research
Josie Feemster
Advocate
Judge Robert Lung
Mercy Dizon
Advocate, Artist, Activist
Marq Daniel Taylor
CEO and Founder, The B.U.D.D.Y. House, Incorporated
Chris Stark
Author and Consultant
Keisha Head
Activist, Advocate, and Motivational Speaker
Training Professionals on How to Identify & Respond to Child S*x Trafficking
NCMEC provides specialized child s*x trafficking training on the identification and response to child s*x trafficking that can be provided online or in-person. To learn more about our training options or request a specialized training click here.
Introduction to Child S*x Trafficking
This training offers three modules and builds a comprehensive foundation on the issue of child s*x trafficking for all audiences including law enforcement, child welfare, as well as concerned citizens.
To access click here.
Building Awareness about the Issue
NCMEC writes, contributes to, and publishes multiple publications pertaining to child s*x trafficking. See them all here.
Child S*x Trafficking Overview
Child S*x Trafficking in America: A Guide for Parents & Guardians
Child S*x Trafficking in America: A Guide for Child Welfare Professionals
Missing Male Victims of Child S*x Trafficking
Missing Children, State Care, and Child S*x Trafficking: Engaging the Judiciary in Building a Collaborative Response
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