We started the training off by listing ideas for what society thinks of when we hear ‘prostitute.’ After numerous words and phrases were thrown out and written on the board, we were asked what came to our head when we hear ‘commercially sexually exploited children.’ What words do you come up with when you hear these two phrases? As you can see in the picture below, the words we said varied drastically from what we associate with the word ‘prostitute.’
We then discussed what the
differences were, which resulted in the key word being circled. CHOICE or NO CHOICE. If we perceived the person as having a choice
in being in the life of prostitution then we view them much harsher, with words
such as ‘slut,’ ‘desperate,’ and ‘easy.’
If we view them as having no choice then the descriptive words are
‘abuse,’ ‘vulnerable,’ and ‘trauma.’
HOWEVER, these are the same people!
The difference lies in how we perceive them.
When talking about commercially
sexually exploited children, the average age on entry into the life (of
prostitution) occurs around 12 to 13 years of age. The idea that these young children would be
involved in something as horrendous as sexual exploitation is hard for many
people to understand. How did these
children end up in this position? Where were
the parents?
To answer these questions we must
first look at the risk factors for entering CSEC.
From studies and literature, we see
how a history of family abuse or instability, financial problems, low or none
parental involvement, and prior exposure to CSEC all contribute greatly towards
risk levels for entering CSEC.
But how can these children be
pushed into the life? In one of the
videos shown at the training, we see how two pimps document their experiences
and turn a vulnerable girl into a controlled servant. (Start at 3:35 to just see the pimps' video, or watch from the beginning to hear from survivors.)
The youth who become CSEC end up stuck in a power and control wheel, where a variety of factors lead to them having limited to no power over their situation. Through the use of abuse, isolation, intimidation, and minimizing, pimps and users are able to keep these children under control and stuck in the life.
Thus, we see that there are 5 'steps of exploitation:'
1. Recruit vulnerable children
2. Seduce through gifts, support, friendship
3. Isolate from others
4. Coerce into actions (prostitution, pornography)
5. Maintain control with violence
The last part of the training focused on how adults in the schools and community can help these children in the life to become survivors. First, we need to be aware of the warning signs: change in clothes/possessions (such as a brand new iPhone when on free/reduced lunch), using lingo (talking about money/racking, 'daddy,' 'the game,' 'trapping'), change in friends/social circle, not attending school, branding (tattoos, marks), etc....
Next we need to use our school resources. Based on how severe the level of victimization is, we have different protocol to follow. For example, if there is a minor suspicion of exploitation we will deal less with agencies and more with making sure the school culture is not supportive to exploitation. But if there is a suspected or confirmed victim of CSEC then we need to involve law enforcement and CPS in order to get investigations and support for the victims.
Through using this sample protocol chart, we can make sure no steps get missed when dealing with CSEC and pimps.
When it comes time to counsel the youth, we need to make sure we are not judging or punishing the youth. Even just having these youth at school is a huge success! Make sure to notice this. We need to remain open, understanding, and confidential while letting them share their story. One thing missing in the student's life is positivity and consistency: as counselors and psychologists we need to always show up and be there for the child. Try to share services that are available for their needs, but do this after making sure they know how much you care. One of the survivors at the CSEC conference said "we don't care how much you know till we know how much you care." These children have been pushed around and subjugated to countless traumas, which we have to be aware of and open to hearing about without judging.
One point emphasized when working with these youth is to emphasize their survival skills: these children have done what they need to do to survive in situations that are traumatizing and degrading. By emphasizing their survival skills you will be empowering the children who only get put down.
Finally, we have to be willing to discuss the topics they bring up. Say the student knows they have to go back to the pimp. We need to make sure they are aware of protection methods (such as condoms and birth control) so the least amount of harm will come to them. We can use the scaling method mentioned in class to assess where the student is at for wanting to get out of the life (1 for leave the life [of prostitution] right now to 10 for loving the life). Consider setting up a check-in system where they can just tell you a brief sentence or number for how they are doing, which shows them how you care and are there for them. Give them a list of resources they can use, but make sure they UNDERSTAND how to use them! For example, role-play calling 911 or hotlines. The Child Abuse Hotline number is 1-800-344-6000, the Law Enforcement Hotline is 1-888-242-5722, and the National Human Trafficking Resource Center is 1-888-373-7888.
By having these methods in our toolkit we will be able to serve the commercially sexually exploited children and make sure they are able to get the help they need and deserve. When we are not sure how to proceed with these youth contact one of the numerous services available for helping with CSEC.
In concluding the training, a survivor shared a powerful quite. "There is always one moment in childhood when the door opens and lets the future in." Become the one opening the door, helping these youth to find their future.
Never give up and always be there.
Brandi Hietala
Student, M.S. School Counseling
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