Transcript National Association of Counties Campaign Against Sexual

ICPC
Alameda County
Sexually Exploited Minors/ Commercially Sexually Exploited Children (SEM/CSEC)
Overview Presentation
January 13, 2011
CAC Roundtable Presentation
Sacramento, CA
Interagency Children’s Policy Council
1000 San Leandro Blvd., 3rd floor
San Leandro, CA 9577
Barbara Loza-Muriera, Program Specialist
What is CSEC?
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The commercial sexual exploited of children (CSEC) is:
Sexual activity involving a child in exchange for something of value, or promise
thereof, to the child or another person or persons;
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The child is treated as a commercial and sexual object;
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CSEC is a form of violence against children.
~ CSEC Community Intervention Project Training Institute curriculum, Module I:
What is CSEC? GEMS 2009
CSEC Includes
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Street prostitution
Pornography
Stripping
Erotic/nude massage
Escort services
Phone sex lines
Private parties
Gang-based prostitution
Interfamilial pimping
Forms of internet-based exploitation
~ CSEC Community Intervention Project Training Institute curriculum, Module I:
What is CSEC? GEMS 2009
Intersections of Abuse
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Child Sexual Abuse
Any sexual activity with a child where consent is not or cannot be given. The sexually abusive acts may include penetrations, creation of pornographic images, sexual touching, or non-contact acts such as exposure to
voyeurism.
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Sexual Exploitation of Children
Taking unfair advantage of the imbalance of power between an adult and a youth or a child under the age of 18 for the express purpose of sexual pleasure.
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Commercial Sexual Exploitation
Sexual activity involving a child in exchange for something of value…the child is treated as a commercial object.
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Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking (DMST)
DMST consists of all forms of CSEC involving a third party that profits from the sexual activity with a child originating from the country in which the activity occurs.
~ CSEC Community Intervention Project Training Institute curriculum,
Module I: What is CSEC? GEMS 2009
Defining child victims of
sexual human trafficking in the U.S.
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Any child under the age of 18 that is used for the purpose of exploitation
through sexual servitude, regardless of the absence of economic leverage,
manipulation, fraud, coercion, threats, force and violence is considered a
commercially sexually exploited child (CSEC) under the law
Source: Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) 2000, (Public Law 106-386)
MISSSEY Inc., Presentation 2008
Profile of CSEC served in Alameda County
Has a history of abuse and/or neglect; has experienced multiple traumas
leading up to their exploitation;
 Displays symptoms of PTSD, Stockholm Syndrome—and traits similar to
a domestic violence victim;
 Often appears to be resistant to services;
 Most are system(s) involved youth (Foster Care and/or Juvenile Justice)
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Other vulnerabilities for immigrant populations
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Parents have PTSD issues from surviving genocide, bombings and war (--which impacts the youth)
Intergenerational gap / intercultural gape between American born children and parents / older
family members.
Living significantly below the poverty level and exposed to high levels of neighborhood violence.
Lack of education around exploitation, understanding of abuse
Lack of information related to victim’s services.
Fear of authoritarian figures and law enforcement—
“Under the radar” and not generally engaged with the system
Information excerpted from “Medical Case Studies of Commercially Sexually Exploited
Children”, Kimberly Chang, MD Asian Health Services & Elizabeth Sy, Banteay Srei—presented
Nov 30, 2009,Oakland, CA. Note: While the presentation dealt with specifically Southeast Asian
youth, it is evident that youth with other immigrant backgrounds and cultural family histories
experience similar vulnerabilities.
Did you know?
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Multiple studies estimate that 70-90% of sexually exploited
children have a history of child sexual abuse.
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NISMART estimates that 1.6 million children run away from
home each year in the US…one in three teens will be
recruited by a pimp within 48 hours of leaving home and
becoming homeless.
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The average age of entry into the commercial sex industry
in the U.S. is 12 year old.
~ CSEC Community Intervention Project Training Institute curriculum,
Module I: What is CSEC? GEMS 2009
Local CSEC Facts
Following information was gathered during the screening process
from 200+ girls participating in MISSSEY.
Demographics
 98% of participants female
 68% African American
 14% Latina
 8% White
 6% Asian
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5 were born in other countries (4 Latin America and one from Thailand)
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23% identified as a sexual minority (gay/lesbian/bisexual and questioning)
Local CSEC Facts, cont’d
Health and Mental Health
Mental and overall health problems are 2–5 times higher than
in the general population of adolescents.
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25% of youth had a history of suicide attempts that required
hospitalization
52% had serious drug abuse problems
16% had been pregnant or had children
25% of the group were clinically depressed*
3% of the youth are diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder*
4% of youth are diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder
This data represents a group of commercially sexually exploited youth that were served through WestCoast
Children’s Clinic’s Screening,
Stabilization and Transition program.
Sexually Abused Commercially Exploited Youth / Safe Place Alternative
(SACEY/SPA)
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First Responder /Crisis Response (24-7)
Advocacy (1-2 wks with on-going Advocacy available through-out)
Case Management / Clinical Case Management (8-12 months and up)
SPA drop-in services (at the FJC)
Transitional Aged / Resource Services (18 and over)
Street Outreach (mobile)
Prevention and Intervention training and education (in-kind)
Collaborative CSEC Case Review (facilitated by local Child Advocacy Center)
*Funded through City of Oakland Measure Y; leveraged through EPSDT, OJJDP grant and other County
support.
Youth outcomes we’ve seen when youth are stabilized and engaged in
services
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65% reduction in drug and alcohol consumption
75% access stable housing
90% re-enrolled in school
80% increase school attendance
60% complete their probation
50% not re-arrested
90% connect with therapeutic mental health services
60% not re-victimized
*Based on SACEY/SPA individual client case review 06-09
What we know
from current practice
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Stabilization of SEM/CSEC increases the likelihood of effective placements,
completion of probation period, reinstatement into school and
reconnection to the community.
“Three quarters of our job is supporting placement—
assisting youth to make it work, to stay in placement.”
~SACeY/SPA Staff
Youth Outcomes
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Stabilization—slowing down the entry and exit from the system(s).
Re-engagement w/school, educational opportunities
Many youth who receive specialized, SEM/CSEC focused services have better outcomes
when they re-enter the system, as they are better prepared/oriented to receive services and
stay in placement.
“We are providing legitimate re-entry into the public system
that they are missing from…” ~~MISSSEY,Inc
“We know that Mastery is one of
the BeST ways tO
help youth recover
from Trauma”
~~Youth Radio
Systems Interface:
Where it’s making a difference
Probation:
 SEM/CSEC receiving services at Juvenile Hall, often within the 48 window before their
hearing;
 SACEY/SPA staff working directly with in-take, placement, Probation Officers and
Juvenile Institutional Officers;
 Connecting with on-site therapeutic services staff;
 Provide post-detention continuation of services;
 Working in concert with individual Probation Officers, providing updates, resource
information and other case support .
Value Added, con’d
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Juvenile Court : SACEY/SPA staff are present
during court proceedings to support the youth;
Youth engagement in SPA services viewed as a
way to monitor/gage improvement, effort,
commitment.
Adult Court: Providing victims support to
CSEC who are testifying against their
exploiters/pimps; providing aftercare.
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Law Enforcement:
Information and hands-on support for special
operations/sweeps, individual cases.
Social Services: CSEC Provider/Partner
stationed a the AC Assessment Center,
providing stabilization support, victim
education, resource/referral information to
youth; participating in Team Decision Making
(TDM) meetings.
What we are working on
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Making the complex nature of SEM/CSEC trauma known;
Continuing the expansion of specialized response and treatment models.
Working with SSA to address the needs of foster families caring for CSEC.
Expanding to address the needs of transitional aged CSEC.
Developing a shelter facility in Oakland that will serve CSEC and provide on-site services / the “DreamSPA”
Partnering with Law Enforcement and DA to address the needs of CSEC on their caseloads; supporting the
development systems.
Identifying the issue of vicarious trauma on “front-line” providers.
Continuing to provide training, information, education and fostering any opportunities for increased capacity in
responding to CSEC.
Facilitating the integration of data, research and evaluation activities .
Q&A