Confronting Commercial Sexual Exploitation and Sex Trafficking of Minors in the United States

• NCJ Number: 243838
• Date Published: 2013
• Length: 478 pages
• Agencies: OJJDP-Sponsored
• Publication Type: Overview Text

Annotation

This is the report of a committee of experts convened by the Institute of Medicine and the National Research Council to conduct a study of the commercial sexual exploitation and sex trafficking of children who are citizens or lawful permanent residents of the United States.

Abstract

After reviewing the evidence, the committee came to five overall conclusions. First, there is substantial and compelling evidence that commercial sexual exploitation and sex trafficking of minors in the United States are serious problems with immediate and long-term adverse consequences for the victims and their families, as well as communities and society as a whole. Second, efforts to prevent the commercial sexual exploitation and sex trafficking of minors in the United States are essential but largely absent. Third, efforts to identify and respond to the commercial sexual exploitation and sex trafficking of minors in the United States are emerging, but such efforts to date are under-supported, insufficient, uncoordinated, and unevaluated. Fourth, efforts to prevent, identify, and respond to commercial sexual exploitation and sex trafficking of minors in the United States require collaborative approaches that build upon the core capabilities of people and entities from a range of sectors. Fifth, these efforts to counter the commercial sexual abuse of children must confront demand and the individuals who commit and benefit from these crimes. The committee's six recommendations are intended to provide practical strategies for multiple and diverse actions at a variety of levels by a wide range of individuals as well as governmental and non-governmental entities. The committee believes that implementation of these recommendations will advance and strengthen the Nation's efforts to prevent, identify, and respond to the commercial sexual exploitation and sex trafficking of minors in the United States. Appended site visit methodology and summaries