OJJDP FY 09 Research on the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children

The commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC) describes a constellation of crimes of a sexual nature committed against victims younger than 18 primarily or entirely for financial or other economic reasons. These crimes include trafficking for sexual purposes, prostitution, sex tourism, mail-order-bride trade and early marriage, pornography, stripping, and sexual performances. The purpose of this program is to enhance understanding of the scope of the CSEC problem in the United States through research addressing the following questions:1. How many youth under 18 were victims of commercial sexual exploitation in 2008 in the United States?2. How many of these victims were known to law enforcement?3. In a sample of jurisdictions, what were the outcomes of prosecutions of CSEC crimes for victimized youth and for CSEC perpetrators?4. In the same sample of jurisdictions, did CSEC victims who were not known to law enforcement receive more, fewer, or different services than victims who were not known to law enforcement?This program is authorized by 42 U.S.C. §§ 5775-5776.