Pathways and Precursors to CSEC Module 2: “Growing up for me was a lot of pain. I don’t know how to explain it. It was just a lot of pain. - CSEC Survivor

Pathways and Precursors to CSEC Objectives… To understand the various risk factors (environmental and psychosocial) that make children vulnerable to CSEC. To unpack the notion of “choice” in reference to children’s involvement in the commercial sex industry. To become familiar with methods of recruitment used by exploiters.

Children at risk for recruitment into CSEC are children who: Are under 18 years old Walk to school or to the store alone Own or have access to a computer Are attracted to consumer goods Desire to develop romantic relationships Sometimes feel insecure Feel misunderstood Fight with their parents Sometimes feel their parents don’t care Want more independence Test boundaries and take risks Question: According to this, who is at risk for recruitment into CSEC?

Answer: ALL CHILDREN

Risk Factors Individual: events in, or characteristics of, an individual’s life Environmental: come from a child’s neighborhood or community Social: the foundation set up in our culture that makes CSEC possible or ways in which our society promotes or perpetuates sexual exploitation

Activity: Who’s at Risk?

Activity: Who’s At Risk? Directions for Individuals/Partners Decide if your risk factor card belongs in the individual, environmental, or social category. Tape it to the diagram in this category. Form a group with all the other participants who taped their risk factor cards in this category too.

Activity: Who’s At Risk? Working Group Questions/Directions How does each risk factor in your category impact a child? Use the blank card to write in: Other important risk factors your group thought of Risk factors in another category that belong in yours too Risk factors specific to your community

Multiple studies estimate that… 70 to 90 percent of sexually exploited children have a history of child sexual abuse. 1. Bagley, C. & Young, L. (1987). Juvenile Prostitution and Child Sexual Abuse: A Controlled Study. Canadian Journal of Community Mental Health. 2. Annual Report. (1991). Council for Prostitution Alternatives. Portland, Oregon. 3. Murphy, Patricia. (1993). Making Connections: Women, Work, and Abuse. Paul M. Deutsch Press, Florida.

©Girls Educational and Mentoring Services (GEMS)

Pathways to Entry Ways recruitment can happen: Parents selling children Violence and force Kidnapping Seduction and coercion False advertising for “modeling,” “acting,” or “dancing” opportunities Peer recruitment Internet enticement through chat rooms or profile- sharing sites

Activity: Pathways to Entry Case Studies

Working Group Questions What made this child vulnerable to CSEC? How was the child recruited into the sex industry? What was his or her path of entry? A commonly held belief is that children freely choose to be involved in the sex industry. What role does choice play on the part of the child in your case study?

Can you match the legal age? In [enter your state] you have to be… To be able to… 14 15Drive a car 16Get a drink in a bar 17Buy cigarettes 18Get married 19Vote 20Legally consent to sex 21

Inherent Contradiction: Statutory Rape The age of consent in Florida is 18 years. Applicable Laws:  According to Florida law, the legal age of consent is 18 years old. However, there is an exemption in Florida that permits a person 23 years of age or younger to engage in legal sexual activity with a minor aged 16 or 17. It is illegal for anyone above the age of 24 to have sex with anyone under the age of 18, unless they are married. Examples of laws that can be used to protect youth: Criminal Sexual Abuse Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse Predatory Criminal Sexual Abuse Criminal Sexual Assault Aggravated Criminal Sexual Assault Predatory Criminal Sexual Assault Why do you think distinctions are made between sexually assaulted children and sexually exploited children?

Activity: Self-Reflection

What were you wearing at this age? What was your favorite song or group? Who were you?

Activity: Self-Reflection What were some of the individual, environmental, or social challenges you faced? How did they influence your choices? What protections, support, or lack thereof did you have? How did these factors influence your choices, and the outcomes of your choices?

Film: GEMS’ Making of a Girl

Debriefing Questions: How do you feel after watching the film? After all the activities we just did, how have any of your perceptions of children’s entrance into the commercial sex industry changed?