Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children in the U.S., Canada and Mexico

• NCJ Number: 218461
• Date Published: February 2002
• Author(s): Richard Estes; Neil Weiner
• Length: 3 pages
• Grant Number(s): 1999-IJ-CX-0030
• Agencies: NIJ-Sponsored
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)

Annotation

This paper presents a brief outline of the goals, methods, and research partners of a 2-year project examining the nature and extent of child sexual exploitation (CSE) and the commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC) in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Abstract

The project on the nature and extent of child sexual exploitation (CSE) and the commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC) consisted of nine goals and objectives: (1) identify the nature, extent, and underlying causes of CSE and CSEC in the countries of the United States, Canada, and Mexico; (2) identify subgroups of children that are at the greatest risk of being sexually exploited; (3) identify subgroups of perpetrators of sex crimes against children; (4) identify the extent to which organized criminal units are involved in the CSEC; (5) identify the modes of operation used by organized criminal units to recruit children into sexually exploitive activities; (6) identify local, State, and national laws relating to CSE and CSEC; (7) identify international agreements and covenants pertaining to CSE and the CSEC; (8) identify the strengths and weaknesses of the countries’ prevention strategies in protecting children; and (9) country recommendations for strengthening the prevention and protection of children from sexual exploitation. The project was implemented in 13 phases which are briefly outlined. The project also involved several unique partnerships with governmental and nongovernmental organizations, universities, international child advocacy organizations, child welfare organizations, professional associations, and financial organizations.