FACTS ABOUT CSEC & DOMESTIC TRAFFICKING jjj CSEC is sexual activity involving a child in exchange for something of value, or promise thereof, to the child or another person or persons. The child is treated as a commercial and sexual object. CSEC is a form of violence against children. In New York City alone there are an estimated 2,200 children victimized by commercial sexual exploitation annually (OCFS 2007 Prevalence Study). The Department of Justice estimates the most frequent age of entry into the commercial sex industry in the United States is 12-14 years old (www.usdoj.gov). 100,000 - 300,000 children are at risk for commercial sexual exploitation each year in the United States (Estes & Weiner, 2001). An estimated 1.6 million children run away from home each year in the US. The average time it takes before a runaway is approached by a trafficker or solicitor is 48 hours (National Runaway Switchboard). 70-90% of commercially sexually exploited chldren have a history of child sexual abuse (Murphy, 1993).
Mission Girls Educational and Mentoring Services’ (GEMS) mission is to empower girls and young women, ages 12-21, who have experienced commercial sexual exploitation and domestic trafficking to exit the commercial sex industry and develop to their full potential. GEMS is committed to ending commercial sexual exploitation and domestic trafficking of children by changing individual lives, transforming public perception, and revolutionizing the systems and policies that impact sexually exploited youth.
Visit us at: www.gems-girls.org Follow us at: www.twitter.com/GEMSGIRLS Like us on: www.facebook.com/girlsarenotforsale Become a Daughter at: councilofdaughters.ning.com Text to Give: Text "GEMS" to 85944 to donate $10. Once you receive a reply text, reply “YES” to confirm your donation.