What is it?
Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC) is a form of human trafficking. CSEC refers to a range of crimes, where someone is profiting financially off the sexual abuse of a child. This can include profiting off the exchange of sex for money or using child abuse imagery to make money. Any person under the age of 18 who is exchanging sex for money or something else of value (food, drugs, a place to stay) is considered a victim of CSEC.
What is the difference between "commercial sexual exploitation" and "sexual exploitation"?
The word "commercial" means for money. When we talk about commercial sexual exploitation, we are talking about taking advantage of someone in a sexual way for a financial gain or incentive. It is possible to sexually exploit people for your own benefit without that benefit being financial. Treating someone unfairly in order to feel sexual gratification, for instance, could be considered exploitive. In that way, we can consider many forms of sexual violence as exploitive.
Is this happening in Maine?
Yes. It is estimated that between 300-400 people experience sex trafficking or exploitation each year in Maine. Not all of them are under 18, but many people report that the exploitation started when they were younger than 18. We still don't have enough data in Maine to project the prevalence of CSEC specifically - but we definitely know it happens here.
Who is it happening to?
Anyone can be a victim of CSEC, but certain populations experience victimization at higher rates than others. LGBTQ+ youth, for example, are trafficked at higher rates because queer youth are more likely to not have family support and have fewer resources and/or get kicked out of their homes as a result. People without stable housing have fewer options to keep themselves safe and are vulnerable to being exploited to meet their basic needs. This is why supporting queer youth is an important part of trafficking prevention. Since CSEC is an inherently financial crime, lack of access to basic resources is a significant vulnerability.
How would I know if a child is experiencing CSEC?
It is uncommon for kids to disclose trafficking. More likely, adults in the child's life have noticed things that make them suspicious that something might be going on. Some of the things adults might notice are:
* frequent unexplained absences from school
* trips to cities without social connections there
* sudden appearance of material goods that they normally could not afford
* "partying" and socializing with older people
* signs of being in a relationship with someone abusive and controlling (monitoring movement, fearful, detaching from support networks)
This CSEC Screening Tool can help in the assessment of determining whether or not a young person may be a victim of trafficking.
What can I do if I suspect a child is being trafficked?
If you are a mandated reporter (learn more about that here) you are legally required to report any suspicion that someone is experiencing CSEC since CSEC is a form of child abuse. When you call, be specific about what you have noticed that makes you concerned and also about what you think might be happening, for example, "I think this child might be being trafficked for sex".
If you are not a mandated reporter, you can still call the police or DHHS to report suspected abuse. If you'd rather make an anonymous tip, you can also call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.
There is also support available to survivors of violence and their loved ones 24/7 through the Maine Sexual Assault Helpline at 1-800-871-7741 and the Maine Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-866-834-HELP.
What is the response to kids experiencing CSEC in Maine?
If the DHHS or Law Enforcement receives a report where there are concerns about CSEC, that case can be referred to Children's Advocacy Centers. At CACs, a multi-disciplinary team joins together to make plans to assess safety and make plans for that kid. This will involve an advocate who can work with that child or family to help them get connected to local services (medical care, mental health care, case management, etc.). You can see more about how the CACs in Maine respond to CSEC here.
Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Programs around the state engage in support to people who have experienced sex trafficking at all ages. Advocates can help connect survivors to a network of support including therapy, support groups, case management, and survivor networks. Some programs also facilitate prevention programs, including a program for at-risk girls called My Life My Choice. You can connect with these programs 24/7 through the Maine Sexual Assault Helpline at 1-800-871-7741 and the Maine Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-866-834-HELP.
How can we prevent CSEC?
Human trafficking, including CSEC, is rooted in vulnerabilities like poverty, lack of economic opportunity, unstable housing, non-permanent immigration status, previous trauma or child sexual abuse, and other forms of oppression (like homophobia and racism). CSEC can be the result of the failure of many systems, and the intersection of many forms of violence and oppression. For this reason, it is complicated to work on and complicated to prevent.
Support programs that support families around basic needs and social supports.
Teach kids about consent and boundaries. You can read more about primary prevention for kids here.
Advocate for awareness and training on this issue at your school or community and your work.
Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC) is a form of human trafficking. CSEC refers to a range of crimes, where someone is profiting financially off the sexual abuse of a child. This can include profiting off the exchange of sex for money or using child abuse imagery to make money. Any person under the age of 18 who is exchanging sex for money or something else of value (food, drugs, a place to stay) is considered a victim of CSEC.
What is the difference between "commercial sexual exploitation" and "sexual exploitation"?
The word "commercial" means for money. When we talk about commercial sexual exploitation, we are talking about taking advantage of someone in a sexual way for a financial gain or incentive. It is possible to sexually exploit people for your own benefit without that benefit being financial. Treating someone unfairly in order to feel sexual gratification, for instance, could be considered exploitive. In that way, we can consider many forms of sexual violence as exploitive.
Is this happening in Maine?
Yes. It is estimated that between 300-400 people experience sex trafficking or exploitation each year in Maine. Not all of them are under 18, but many people report that the exploitation started when they were younger than 18. We still don't have enough data in Maine to project the prevalence of CSEC specifically - but we definitely know it happens here.
Who is it happening to?
Anyone can be a victim of CSEC, but certain populations experience victimization at higher rates than others. LGBTQ+ youth, for example, are trafficked at higher rates because queer youth are more likely to not have family support and have fewer resources and/or get kicked out of their homes as a result. People without stable housing have fewer options to keep themselves safe and are vulnerable to being exploited to meet their basic needs. This is why supporting queer youth is an important part of trafficking prevention. Since CSEC is an inherently financial crime, lack of access to basic resources is a significant vulnerability.
How would I know if a child is experiencing CSEC?
It is uncommon for kids to disclose trafficking. More likely, adults in the child's life have noticed things that make them suspicious that something might be going on. Some of the things adults might notice are:
* frequent unexplained absences from school
* trips to cities without social connections there
* sudden appearance of material goods that they normally could not afford
* "partying" and socializing with older people
* signs of being in a relationship with someone abusive and controlling (monitoring movement, fearful, detaching from support networks)
This CSEC Screening Tool can help in the assessment of determining whether or not a young person may be a victim of trafficking.
What can I do if I suspect a child is being trafficked?
If you are a mandated reporter (learn more about that here) you are legally required to report any suspicion that someone is experiencing CSEC since CSEC is a form of child abuse. When you call, be specific about what you have noticed that makes you concerned and also about what you think might be happening, for example, "I think this child might be being trafficked for sex".
If you are not a mandated reporter, you can still call the police or DHHS to report suspected abuse. If you'd rather make an anonymous tip, you can also call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.
There is also support available to survivors of violence and their loved ones 24/7 through the Maine Sexual Assault Helpline at 1-800-871-7741 and the Maine Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-866-834-HELP.
What is the response to kids experiencing CSEC in Maine?
If the DHHS or Law Enforcement receives a report where there are concerns about CSEC, that case can be referred to Children's Advocacy Centers. At CACs, a multi-disciplinary team joins together to make plans to assess safety and make plans for that kid. This will involve an advocate who can work with that child or family to help them get connected to local services (medical care, mental health care, case management, etc.). You can see more about how the CACs in Maine respond to CSEC here.
Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Programs around the state engage in support to people who have experienced sex trafficking at all ages. Advocates can help connect survivors to a network of support including therapy, support groups, case management, and survivor networks. Some programs also facilitate prevention programs, including a program for at-risk girls called My Life My Choice. You can connect with these programs 24/7 through the Maine Sexual Assault Helpline at 1-800-871-7741 and the Maine Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-866-834-HELP.
How can we prevent CSEC?
Human trafficking, including CSEC, is rooted in vulnerabilities like poverty, lack of economic opportunity, unstable housing, non-permanent immigration status, previous trauma or child sexual abuse, and other forms of oppression (like homophobia and racism). CSEC can be the result of the failure of many systems, and the intersection of many forms of violence and oppression. For this reason, it is complicated to work on and complicated to prevent.
Support programs that support families around basic needs and social supports.
Teach kids about consent and boundaries. You can read more about primary prevention for kids here.
Advocate for awareness and training on this issue at your school or community and your work.