Commercial Sexual Exploitation and Sex Trafficking of Children and Adolescents: A Narrative Review

Abstract

Overview A growing body of research addresses the issue of “commercial sexual exploitation of children” (CSEC) and “child sex trafficking.” These overlapping terms describe crimes of a sexual nature committed against children and adolescents that involve exploitation for financial or other gain. Existing literature demonstrates that commercially sexually exploited youth typically experience significant and ongoing trauma. The literature teaches that these youths have a unique set of health risks, including violence-related injuries, sexually transmitted infections, unwanted pregnancy, and a variety of mental health problems. Though federal law defines these youth as victims of human trafficking, in many states, commercially sexually exploited children and adolescents are incarcerated for crimes related to their exploitation. Fear of incarceration can prevent victims from seeking available services. While health care providers may play a critical role in connecting commercially sexually exploited youth with community resources, most providers lack the knowledge of human trafficking necessary to fulfill this role effectively. Published research about this vulnerable pediatric population, although rapidly growing, is still extremely limited. Further research into the prevention, identification, intervention, and multidisciplinary management of CSEC and sex trafficking of children and adolescents is needed.

Children on the brink: Risks for child protection, sexual abuse, and related mental health problems in the COVID-19 pandemic

“…[ 84 ] With health risks, including violence-related injuries, sexually transmitted infections, and unwanted pregnancy, they also present with chronic mental health problems, including complications of substance abuse, posttraumatic stress disorder, self-injurious behaviors, suicidality, and anxiety. [ 40 85 ] Other mental disorders associated with child sex workers are dissociation, affect dysregulation, oppositional behaviors, attachment, problems, somatization, mood disorders, suicidality, and eating disturbances. [ 41 ]…”

Socio-economic, trafficking exposures and mental health symptoms of human trafficking returnees in Ethiopia: using a generalized structural equation modelling

“…It is also common for them to get injured due to accidents or violence during travelling [ 5 , 6 ]; they are also frequently exposed to infections such as malaria or STDs including HIV/AIDS. Women and girls may be exposed to unwanted pregnancy following forced or unsafe sexual practices during trafficking [ 7 – 10 ]. Moreover, they usually experience social exclusion and financial and labor exploitive conditions [ 11 , 12 ].…”

Risk Factors and Indicators for Commercial Sexual Exploitation/Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking of Adolescent Girls in the United States in the Context of School Nursing: An Integrative Review of the Literature

“…There is substantial and compelling evidence that sex trafficking of minors in the United States is a serious problem with immediate and long-term adverse consequences (Institute of Medicine [IOM], National Research Council, 2013). Reliable prevalence estimates of victims are not available due to the covert and transient nature of the crime alongside challenges of data collection, such as victim’s fear to disclose their status, lack of identification by service providers and legal authorities, lack of a centralized database, and variations in definitions and data collection methods (Barnert et al, 2017; Finklea et al, 2015; IOM National Research Council, 2013). The Polaris Project, however, offers insight.…”