Alameda County Family Justice Center

What is the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children?

As noted by ECPAT International in its information booklet on the commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC), the commercial sexual exploitation of children(CSEC) as defined by The Declaration and Agenda for Action against Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children is the "…sexual abuse by the adult and remuneration in cash or kind to the child or a third person or persons." The prostitution of children, child pornography and trafficking of children for sexual purposes are considered to be the primary forms of CSEC while other forms include child-sex tourism and in some cases, child marriage (ECPAT International, 2008) [1]

Oftentimes, the children who are sexually exploited have been victims of childhood sexual abuse, witnessed or have been victims to severe domestic violence, homeless, or part of the foster care system. Such circumstances increase a child's vulnerability to becoming commercially sexually exploited (Brantley, 2008) [2]. Other characteristics that are common among children who are commercially sexually exploited include the following:

• Ages 11-17
• Victims of earlier childhood sexual abuse
• Victims of emotional abuse
• Victims of or witness to severe (domestic) violence
• Homeless
• Not living at home with parents (i.e. living with a friend, relative)
• Foster care youth who have had multiple placements
• Chronic runaways
• Not attending school/dropped out
• Lacking positive self-esteem
• Part of families where family members are currently or previously involved in prostitution/pimping
• Inappropriately engaged in relationships with adult men and women

Reprinted with permission from MISSSEY, Inc.

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