1. Photos © Tim Matsui / www.timmatsui.com Leslie Briner, MSW Sexual Exploitation and Trafficking of Youth

2. What is Human Trafficking? Human Trafficking: The use of force, fraud or coercion to compel a person into any form of work or service against his or her will. Or, when someone under the age of 18 years Is caused to engage in commercial sex acts.

3. Federal Definition Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC): 18 U.S.C. § 1591 makes it illegal to recruit, entice, obtain, provide, move or harbor a person or to benefit from such activities knowing that the person will be caused to engage in commercial sex acts where the person is under 18 or where force, fraud or coercion exists. Commercial sex act means any sex act on account of which anything of value is given to or received by any person. This includes: Prostitution PornographyInternet based Exotic dancing/stripping Survival sex*Exploitation Erotic/nude massage Phone sex lines Sex tourism Gang based prostitution ** 2008 Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act (TVPRA)

4. National Prevalence 326,000 “at-risk for commercial sexual exploitation” Estes & Weiner, 2001; University of Pennsylvania 100,000 to 293,000 children are sexually exploited per year National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) 300-500 minors are sexually exploited each year in King Co., Who Pays the Price? Boyer, 2008 1 out of 3 teens will be lured toward prostitution within 48 hours of leaving home (Lois Lee)

5. Sexual Exploitation Affects… Girls Transgender (especially trans girls) Boys Queer youth Any economic class Any race However, sexual exploitation disproportionately affects young, financially poor, girls, youth of color, queer and transgender youth

6. Types of Exploitation Pimps/3 rd party trafficker (often male but can be female) Gangs-controlled Family-based Exploitation of boys Exploitation of transgender youth Self promotion, “renegading” or “independent” Peer to peer

7. Getting Started: 5 Lessons 1.Relationship IS the intervention 2.Address the subculture (prostitution, gangs, street life) 3.Re-frame the economic strategy 4.Develop partnerships and know your systems 5.This is the long game …

8. Red Flags! Chronic runaway/homeless/truant youth Excess amount of cash Hotel room keys Having goods or services with no means to pay for them Lying about age/false identification Inconsistencies in story Lack of knowledge of a given community or whereabouts Use of prostitution specific language

9. Guiding Principles of Engagement Maintain a Compassionate and Non-judgmental attitude at all times. Be Consistent ; follow through on everything and do not make promises that cannot be kept. Build Trust then Relationship ; this is a very slow process and relationship testing is expected. Cultural Competency ; be sensitive to the unique cultural needs and experiences of each person. Personnel need to be aware of their own bias and cultural worldviews. Self-determination and Empowerment ; youth should have information relevant to their situation and be encouraged to make informed decisions whenever possible. Respond to youth as Survivors.

10. Asking the Question Have you ever traded sex for money or things you need to survive? Sometimes people trade sex for money or for things they need to survive, has that happened to you? I’m wondering about your safety, are their places that are dangerous for you to go? Or, people that are dangerous for you to be around right now? I’m wondering if you are in the life? I will not judge you or anything you tell me. I’m here to listen if you ever want to talk or want support getting out.

11. Services in King County YouthCare : Bridge Continuum, Safe Place for ages 12-24 years Community Advocates ( YouthCare, Friends of Youth, Auburn Youth Resources, OPS) ; 24/7 response and Advocacy Services (1-855-400-CSEC) OPS (Organization for Prostitution Survivors) Survivor-led support groups, drop-in and arts workshops WARN (Washington Anti-Trafficking Response Network): Takes referral 24/7 on ALL forms of Human Trafficking (206-245-0782) REST (Real Escape from the Sex Trade ) Housing, crisis and advocacy services for women 18-24 yrs old Rare Coins Ministries YWCA : Advocate services for women ages 18 and up

12. Contact Information: leslie.briner@youthcare.org www.youthcare.org