Improving Outcomes for Youth Who Are Victims of Commercial Sexual Exploitation

1. Improving Outcomes for YouthWho Are Victims of Commercial Sexual Exploitation Pat Mims, SEM Coordinator Bay Area Women Against Rape (BAWAR) pat@bawar.com

2. What is CSEC? • CSEC = Commercially Sexually Exploited Children • Sexual activity involving a child in exchange for something of value, or promise thereof, to the child or another person or persons • The child is treated as a commercial and sexual object

3. Types of Commercial Sexual Exploitation • Street Prostitution • Pornography • Stripping • Erotic/nude massage • Escort services, private parties • Phone sex lines • Gang-based prostitution • Interfamilial pimping • Forms of Internet-based exploitation

4. Local CSEC Data • In 2003, the Oakland Police Department identified 293 minors being prostituted by at least 155 pimps over a 1½ year time period. • In 2010 BAWAR served 130 CSEC girls, the average age being 15 year old. • Since January 2011 BAWAR has served over 115 cases of minors involved in CSEC activity.

5. CSEC Data: 62% of the youth are from Alameda County 36% were trafficked from other areas, including Sacramento, Contra Costa, Santa Clara, San Mateo, Stanislaus, and San Bernardino counties 2% were trafficked from out of state

6. CSEC Data: The age range of the identified minors was between 12-18 years old. 53% of the youth were 17+ 44% were 14-15 3% were 12-13 years old 2009, one 11 year old was detained and received services.

7. CSEC Data: Racial breakdown of minors: 70% African-American 18% Latina 4% Caucasian 4% Multi-racial 2% Filipina 2% Unknown

8. CSEC Data: 57% of the youth were on juvenile probation for various offenses 38% are active foster care kids 5% have no previous involvement in either the dependency or delinquency systems

9. Who are these kids? • Kids who have experienced physical and sexual abuse • Throwaways • Witness to the death of one or both parents or an acts of violence • Absence of a father figure • Neglected • Don’t feel understood

10. BAWAR CSEC Services • 24 hour First Crisis Response • 12 weeks of Sexual Assault Counseling (Individual) • Ongoing Advocacy • Court/Interview Accompaniment • In-custody Visits • Detention-base education and support groups • Care kits (toiletries, books, gift cards) • Referrals/Information • 24 hour crisis hotline • Diversion program

11. Systems Partners • CSEC Service providers • Local law enforcement • Probation • District Attorney • Public defender • Social services

12. BAWAR CSEC Services: Current Challenges • Large percentage of CSEC identified in Alameda County are out of county residents • Need for rape crisis centers throughout state/nation to work directly with CSEC minors and serve as a “first responder” for CSEC who are returning to their county of origin. • Need for rape crisis advocates to provide court advocacy services to CSECs who are involved in the juvenile justice system. • Need for more trauma-informed services and supports for system involved minors who are at risk for or involved in CSEC activity.

13. For More Information: pat@bawar.org Every child should have the opportunity to be just that…A CHILD