Protecting Teens from Sex Trafficking May 29, 2014
Mission The National Center for Missing & Exploited ChildrenŽ is the nation’s leading nonprofit providing assistance to industry, law enforcement, families and the professionals who serve them on issues relating to missing and exploited children.
Missing and Exploited A child’s “missing” can be categorized three ways: Online Enticement Endangered Runaway Child Sex Trafficking/Abduction Victim Endangered runaways are at increased risk for victimization through sex trafficking The run could be a result of online enticement.
A child is running AWAY from or running TO something or someone.
Recent Vulnerability Survey •
Foster youth are extremely vulnerable to inappropriate sexual advances.
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A significant amount of abuse experienced by foster youth is at the hands of individuals involved in the foster care system. – One in every four youth (24%) reported being approached by a foster parent or caregiver, and nearly a third of girls (28%).
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Young people do not know where to turn for help – particularly young men
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Young people are not receiving the training and support they need to protect themselves.
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Almost all foster youth have experienced or witnessed domestic violence (86%) either before entering care or during the time they were involved in the child welfare system.
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Young people from foster care overwhelming believe that they are at higher risk of being targeted
Missing and Exploited •
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In the past 5 years (2009-2013) NCMEC received more than 57,000 missing child cases, about 81% of which are endangered runaways Of the endangered runaways reported to NCMEC in 2013, 1 out of 7 were likely child sex trafficking victims
If we know traffickers are targeting these children, then it is our responsibility to make every effort to recover them and bring them to safety
Types of Known CST •
Pimp-controlled – nonfamilial
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Pimp-controlled – familial
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Gang-controlled
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Non-pimp controlled
Why are Children Vulnerable to Recruitment? • •
Runaway/homeless children Prior history of sexual abuse
Of the children reported missing to NCMEC who are also likely child sex trafficking victims, 67% were in the care of social services or foster care when they ran away. •
Children with a void in their lives: ―
Love – affection, sense of belonging, family
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Safety – need protection from abuse in their homes Basics – food, shelter, clothing
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Recruitment Tactics •
Child victims are targeted for their vulnerabilities – –
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Enticed with promises of love and luxury Believed they were in a real relationship with an “older boyfriend” Tricked and lured by other victims or bottom girl
Child victims are targeted in specific locations –
Shopping malls, bus stations, schools, foster care/group homes
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Areas known for prostitution-related activity and strip clubs
“You’re Pretty — You Could Make Some Money” – Washingtonian Magazine, June 2013
“Predators spend entire days trolling Facebook, looking for girls who post about fighting with their parents or feeling left out of school.”
Photographic reenactments by Daniel Bedell Washingtonian Magazine, June 2013
Pimp Control – A Direct Quote “You’ll start to dress her, think for her, own her. If you and your victim are sexually active, slow it down. After sex, take her shopping for one item. Hair and/or nails is fine. She’ll develop a feeling of accomplishment. The shopping after a month will be replaced with cash. The love making turns to raw sex. She’ll start to crave intimacy and be willing to get back into your good graces. After you have broken her spirit, she has no sense of self value. Now pimp, put a price tag on the item you have manufactured.” The Pimp Game: An Instructional Manual (Royal, 1998)
Pimp Culture Language Rules of the Game
Some runaway and homeless youth turn to exchanging sex for basic needs like food, clothing, shelter, or protection (survival sex), increasing their risk for HIV infection and other sexually transmitted diseases.
Other vulnerable populations‌.
Sexual Minority Youth • Youth who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bi-Sexual, Transgender, Questioning, Intersex, or Two-Spirited (LGBTQI2-S) • LGBTQI2-S Youth are part of every community and come from all walks of life • LGBTQI2-S are diverse, representing all races, ethnicities, socioeconomic statuses, and parts of the country Information from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA’s) Homelessness Resource Center (HRC) at http://homeless.samhsa.gov
Sexual Minority Youth Why is this issue important? Sexual Minority Youth often struggle through adolescence as a result of: – Facing stigma – Discrimination – Family disapproval – Social rejection and bullying – Violence
The Reality: Vulnerabilities Once homeless, LGBTQ youth are at higher risk for victimization and experience higher incidents of mental health problems. – Sexual exploitation (prostitution, sexual assault, child pornography) – Missing due to • Running AWAY FROM an abusive environment • Being kicked out of home due to sexual orientation (THROWN AWAY) • Running TO a situation where the youth feels acceptance/kinship/love
The Making of a Girl Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvnRYte3 PAk
The Culture- Sex Trafficked Boys The Stigma & Shame… • “Boys and young men represent a small percent of minors who enter the criminal justice system on prostitution charges.” (And Boys Too, ECPAT USA) • Studies/Reporting Suggest that Male Victims: • Find it hard to access/seek services • Admit and/or recognize sex trafficking experience • Talk about and/or express emotions in a healthy manner
Victim Indicators • • • • • •
Hotel key cards Cash Tattoos New Clothing New boyfriends/friends Larger social network
Risk Factors
Child having access to material items that does not fit their situation
Child communicating with an older friend or boyfriend who seems overly interested or controlling
History of sexual abuse and/or child welfare
4+ runs w/ increased duration Change in behavior or appearance (including online) toward overtly sexual or socially withdrawn
Chronic or cooccurring STIs/Frequent pregnancies
Youth or parent with significant substance abuse
Elevating Concern For each run a child’s safety net decreases, isolation from those who care increases and connections to those who do not have the youths best interest in mind increases. Endangerments increase for each run incident. For cases of missing children who have multiple runs, especially those with high-risk indicators or suspected/confirmed CST it is important to see each run as connected. Consider how information may have developed on former runs that could provide insight into current missing location or exploitation.
Impact of Broken Trust
Child Sex Trafficking Team Analytical resources to assist in the recovery of children who are victims of sex trafficking
Part of the Special Analysis Unit in the Case Analysis Division at NCMEC
Reporting: Kids Missing from Care
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What are your local law enforcement policies and response to missing/runaway children? What is your local Child Welfare policy and response to missing/runaway children? Are the goals and outcomes meeting the needs of children missing from care? Is there a role that NCMEC can play in streamlining and supporting these efforts?
What is our Responsibility?
If we know that missing children, and specifically children missing from care are being targeted by traffickers then it becomes our responsibility to build a plan that balances confidentiality and safety.
Innocence Lost National Initiative
Joint initiative between the FBI, DOJ-Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, and NCMEC
One Focus – One Team NCMEC created the Child Sex Trafficking Team Coordinated approach to responding to missing and exploited children reported into NCMEC who are suspected or confirmed of child sex trafficking exploitation.
Intake of Missing Child Cases •
NCMEC Call Center: 1-800-THE-LOST® (1-800-843-5678)
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LE/guardian/social services may report missing child
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Caller provides detailed information about missing child, abductor, pimp or other associates
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Case manager is assigned and the primary contact at NCMEC
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Case manager can assist with poster distribution, parent and victim services, and analytical support via the Case Analysis Division
CyberTipline® www.cybertipline.com • •
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Child pornography Online enticement of children for sexual acts Child sex trafficking Child sexual molestation Child sex tourism Unsolicited obscene material sent to a child Misleading domain names Misleading words/digital images
Summary of Resources •
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CyberTipline reports regarding possible child sex trafficking are received and referred to LE for investigation Missing child case is intaked and reviewed for CST indicators, provided to a NCMEC case manager and analysts support LE investigation and recovery efforts Children who appear in images within ads are compared to missing children intaked at NCMEC Missing posters are created/targeted and leads are received by the 24/7 call center Family and victim support service resources are offered No missing child reported to NCMEC is ever
Child Sex Trafficking Recovery & Reunification Planning, Care Coordination, Victim and Family Advocacy
Recovery & Reunification Planning •
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NCMEC has a Child Sex Trafficking program specialist who assists with recovery services planning both before and after recovery Family Advocacy Division assists families by offering ongoing support, referrals and reunification services
Recovery Planning CST cases are complex and child survivors of sex trafficking have experienced severe and multiple traumas. Roadmap for recovery! •
Advanced recovery planning and preparation can – –
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Mitigate challenges & barriers Establish a team capable of providing immediate victim resources Increase victim rapport Build trust that can lead to better interviews Increase victim cooperation and case success Connect victim to appropriate services
Building the Response Team Building a team increases support and trust that can break down barriers both immediately and long-term. • • • • • • • • • •
Community-based victim and family advocate Child Advocacy Center Medical/Hospital/SANE Nurse CPS/Child Welfare/social worker (child welfare law) Specialized housing options Juvenile detention (potential outstanding warrant) Interstate juvenile compact coordinator Local/Federal prosecutor Law enforcement CST dedicated law enforcement
Victim Services Community-based advocate should provide access to the following before a lengthy interview: • • • • •
Food Clothing Basic needs Services assessment Medical assessment/services
Victim Services What works: • Stabilization • Engagement – –
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Intensive and Intentional Meeting youth where they are at in understanding their victimization
Consistency Belonging & Safety Quick wins
Decoding Anger
Think about what this young person has survived and consider how the tough exterior might have something to do with that achievement. Strength-based rapport building: The fact that you are sitting here right now tells me something about you. It tells me that you are strong/tough.
Safety Concerns •
Geographic - Where is the victim from? - Where was she recruited?
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Physical – – – – –
Was the trafficker arrested? Gang involvement? Who is the bottom girl? Need to change phone number? Replace phone? Need to take down online classified ads? Online presence? SNS connected to sex trafficking?
Normalizing Victim Responses Discuss and plan with youth: • • •
Return to trafficker/exploitation Flight-risk (run safety plans) Recruitment
Family Advocacy Division 1. Support and encourage families/legal guardian 2. Educate families/legal guardians on the dynamics of reunification, abduction, and exploitation 3. Encourage the caregivers to try things again even if they’ve been tried before 4. Challenge the caregivers to think outside of the box and be creative 5. Ask the caregivers to do the opposite of what is expected 6. Remind the caregivers that reuniting with a missing child is hard work and involves lots of moving parts 7. Find the right type of help, support and resources to help everyone move forward
Recovery…successful? • Perceived love relationship with the perpetrator/boyfriend • Child may be uncooperative, combative or resistant • May not view themselves as victims • May blame parents and law enforcement for interfering with the relationship • Children need to be interviewed by a forensically trained professional in an appropriate environment
Recovery…successful? • Reunification – Is my family/foster family ready to have me home? – Who will take care of my needs – Who can I talk to about what happened to me?
• Crisis Response Teams, Child Protective Services, MDT’s-roles and responsibilities
I’m a victim, maybe? • Shattered belief system • Family/caregivers/system doesn’t understand • Compliant victimization • Guilt and shame • Recurring victimization – in cases where the child must testify and/or images exist
Victim Engagement • • • • •
I’m happy you are here I’m happy that you are safe What do you need right now? What can I help you with tomorrow/next week/month? I’m excited for the chance to communicate better
Placement Options! • Is the child from the state where they were recovered or another state? • Who has custody? – – –
Parent Child welfare DJS
• Placement – Arrested – – –
- Hospital Outstanding warrant - Specialized residential Home/Relative/Runaway shelter Child welfare (group home, foster care)
Factors that Impact Placement • • • • • • • • •
Age/gender Distance from home Custody (DSS/DJS/Warrant/Family) Family response to victimization Pregnancy Drug/Alcohol use Gang-involvement Psychological needs/medication Number of victims
The biggest factor that impacts placement is reviewing the youth’s placement history and engaging them in the placement process.
Case Scenarios
Recovery is Just the First Step TANGIBLE • • • • • • • •
Shelter/home Money/job Food Toiletries Clothes Vital records Medical Psychological
INTANGIBLE • Connection • Love • Belonging • Support • Empowerment • Trust • Comfort • Hope
Helpful Resources Team HOPE is a program of the Family Advocacy Division of NCMEC. It is a peer support network for families with missing and exploited children. 1-866-305-HOPE
Resources from www.missingkids.com
Shared Hope International
Sexually Exploited Youth and Gangs
Any Questions???
Thank You! Melissa Snow Child Sex Trafficking Program Specialist Case Analysis Division 703-562-7637 msnow@ncmec.org Shannon Traore Family Advocacy Specialist 703-837-6128 straore@ncmec.org 1-800-THE-LOST速
(1-800-843-5678)