Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC) Empowering Social Workers in the Trenches By: Maryam Adalat, MSW, PPSC April 8, 2016

What is CSEC? CSEC: Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children DMST: Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking The giving or receiving of anything of value (money, drugs, shelter, food, clothes, etc.) in exchange for a sex act. The commercial aspect of the sexual exploitation is critical to separating it from sexual assault, molestation or rape.

A Glimpse of “The Life”

Statistics Average age that a youth is exploited in the US is 12. It’s a $32 billion industry. The United States has the second largest sex trafficking market in the world (this includes adults). 70% of Exploited Youth have reported having experienced physical or sexual abuse in their homes. Youth who experience sexual abuse are 28 times more likely to be exploited. 78% of children exploited had run away 4 or more times in the past year.

CSEC & Child Welfare CSEC is a severe form of maltreatment that includes coercion, force, and manipulation to engage in prostitution, exotic dancing and/or pornography. Approximately 50 to 80 percent of victims are currently or have been part of the Child Welfare system. Many victims come across Child Welfare, Juvenile Probation and other service providers, but are not identified as victims of CSEC.

CSEC & Child Welfare The FIRST domain of risk for child sexual abuse is involvement in the Child Welfare System. Inappropriate placement leads to runaways. Multiple-Placement Changes contributes to a child’s sense of instability: Inability to develop healthy relationships with peers Youth are more vulnerable to associate with predatory men or women involved in prostitution

WIC 300 b (2) The Legislature finds and declares that a child who is sexually trafficked, as described in Section of the Penal Code, or who receives food or shelter in exchange for, or who is paid to perform, sexual acts described in Section or of the Penal Code, and whose parent or guardian failed to, or was unable to, protect the child, is within the description of this subdivision, and that this finding is declaratory of existing law. These children shall be known as commercially sexually exploited children.

Identification Thorough investigation is necessary on all referrals to ensure that victims are identified as CSEC. A child may come into foster care under many allegations/counts of abuse, don’t limit your investigation to what has been disclosed. It is essential for a complete bio-psycho-social assessment to ensure that appropriate services will be put in place. Identification of CSEC youth is challenging.

Identification Visible signs of abuse Hyper-vigilance or paranoid behavior Changes in behavior Relationship with an older male/female Unexplained expensive personal items Language used from “The Life” Tattoos (Money, Dollar Sign, Nick Name) Runaway/AWOL Truant from School

Pathways of Entry Gorilla Pimping (Violence & Force) Romeo Pimping (Seduction & Coercion) False Advertisement (Modeling, Acting, Dancing) Peer Recruitment Familial Recruitment Internet Solicitation (Through Chat Rooms/Backpage)

The Making of a Girl

Challenges in Identifying CSEC Victims Physically & psychologically controlled Victims lie due to fear of retaliation by exploiter or due to loyalty to exploiter Feelings of guilt & believing it is their own fault for being exploited Shame Fear that no one will believe them Distrust in service providers & law enforcement Fake IDs Identity disguised Transient

Engagement Working with CSEC Victims is extremely challenging. Get to know the youth by asking open ended questions Tell me about a time when you ran away. Find out who they were with, who provided for their basic needs, what they did together, what places did you go? Can you describe what you saw? How long were you gone for? What does your tattoo mean? Tell me about a time when you felt safe. Tell me about a time when did not feel safe. Learn as much as you can about the youth through observation and letting the youth tell their story.

Engagement: Physical & Emotional Safety Make the youth feel safe Address emergency/basic needs first Be non-judgmental (language, body language) Respect boundaries Meet youth where they are Be aware of gender issues

Engagement: Maximize Trust Utilize Empathic Listening Use open ended questions and affirmations Engage from trauma-informed lens Allow the victim to direct the conversation

Engagement: Support Self- Efficacy Prioritize client choice & control over recovery Don’t focus on the youth being a victim & the youth being “rescued” Empower the client to build the skills that promote recovery Utilize open ended questions Utilize Motivational Interviewing to determine where the victim is at in the cycle of change.

Beyond Engagement: Trauma-Informed Rehabilitation Services Self-Esteem Building Empowerment Utilizing a Strengths-Based Approach in Addressing Needs: Education Housing Legal Medical Mental Health

Social Worker’s Role Emphasizing on Assessing for risk of exploitation Ongoing Assessment to continue to assess for CSEC involvement or level of risk Importance of Appropriate Placements Dual Diagnosis Facilities Reunifying children to stable and trauma-informed homes/parents No reunification focusing on permanent planning Educate the parents of high-risk children Educate at-risk foster youth Refer to appropriate specialized services Remain in regular contact with youth If possible, create a Safety Plan Case Manage Appropriately

Best Practice for Effective Case Management Crisis/Immediate Needs Ongoing NeedsLong Term Needs Safety Concerns Housing Medical Mental Health Education Support Work Ready Skills Housing (Transitional Housing) Transitional Services Mental Health Substance Abuse Placement Medical Care Legal Advocacy Education (AB 167) Case Planning Developing Circle of Support Safety & Risk Planning at all stages Utilizing Motivational Interviewing to determine Stage of Change

Victims are the Experts Give youth the opportunity to train you about their culture Empower youth to participate in Case Planning Encourage youth to make decisions about Placement Ensure that youth are at Team Decision Making (TDM) meetings Listen to the youth about their needs and goals Develop Safety Plans with the youth not for the youth Establish goals with the youth and celebrate benchmarks Move away from Victim stage—this limits youth in the process of recovery

Ongoing CSEC Work Utilizing an empowerment model when working with all victims but especially CSEC victims. Trauma-Informed Services Inter-agency Collaboration (Education, Mental Health, Law Enforcement, CBOs, all service providers) Referrals to Appropriate Services Reduce Placement Changes Support Foster Parents Working with Group Homes

Agencies Doing Great Work GEMS MISSSEY BAWAR Shared Hope International Runaway Girls Inc. Nola Brantley Speaks West Coast Children’s Clinic H.E.A.T. Watch

National Agencies Polaris Project: BeFree Textline: Text “BeFree” (233733) National Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline: 888-3¶ National Center for Missing & Exploited Children: National Center for Youth Law: