DOMESTIC CHILD SEX TRAFFICKING Sex Trafficking the recruitment

DOMESTIC CHILD SEX TRAFFICKING

Sex Trafficking the recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of a person for the purpose of a commercial sex act, in which the commercial sex act is induced by force, fraud, or coercion OR in which the person induced to perform such act has not attained 18 years of age -Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000

Scope of the Problem • 100, 000 – 300, 000 U. S. children affected* • All 50 states + D. C. • Average of recruitment 12 -14 years old • Children as young as 7 years old • 80% are female • Every race, every ethnicity

American Teens • Exchange of sex for drugs or money 1: – 28% of children <18 yrs old living on the street – 10% of children <18 yrs old living in shelters • In 2000, 15 -24 year olds accounted for 48% of new STIs (sexually transmitted infections)2 • In 2005, 13 -24 year olds accounted for half of new HIV cases in the U. S. 3

Criminal vs. Victim DISCUSSION POINT: A 16 -year-old girl decides to trade sex for money, shelter, or a meal. Is she a prostitute (criminal)? Or is she a victim?

Patient Presentation • • • Poor eye contact, anxious “Attitude” Runaway & Foster Care youth Constantly texting Sexually promiscuous Repeated STDs Malnourished Substance addiction 3 rd party present Weather-inappropriate clothing Bruising/scars/burns/cuts in “hidden” places Tattoos of pimp’s name or a strange symbol

Lost Opportunities? DISCUSSION POINT: When you think about the risk factors for trafficking and reflect on your patients, do you think any of your patients might have been trafficked?

Before PATH Training • • • Judge Raise eyebrows Shake heads Ignore “Next, please” = LOST OPPORTUNITY

Role of the Healthcare Professional • Interaction with these victims while they’re victims • Care above & beyond the norm • Identify victims of trafficking • Separate the victim from his/her potential trafficker • Sensitively ask questions National Human Trafficking Resource Center: 888. 3737. 888

Intervening • Get the patient alone. • Trust is key: advocate for your patient and protect his/her identity. • Inform your patient about mandatory reporting laws and confidentiality. • Ask your patient if s/he’d like the police involved. • Avoid the rescue fantasy. Help your patient find the PATH to recovery.

How to Report • National Human Trafficking Resource Center 888 -3737 -888 • Text “Be. Free” (233733) • Childhelp 1. 800. 4. A. CHILD • National Center for Missing & Exploited Children 1. 800. THE. LOST

What is Needed • • • Demand-Side Solutions NGO Support Children’s education Law enforcement Health Practitioner Training

Training DISCUSSION POINT: Do you think you know all there is to know about human trafficking and the commercial sexual exploitation of children?

Physician Training and Resources • Polaris Project: www. Polaris. Project. com • HEAL (Health professional Education, Advocacy, and Linkage: http: //healtrafficking. wordpress. com • Girls Education and Mentoring Services (GEMS): http: //www. gems-girls. org • Abolition International: http: //abolitioninternational. org

Thank you for participating in this AMWA-PATH training module.