Preventing the Commercial Sexual Exploitation and Sex Trafficking of Minors

The commercial sexual exploitation and sex trafficking of minors in the U.S. is common, but often overlooked and underreported. If recognized, these crimes may be mislabeled and mishandled, to the detriment of the young people involved.  In addition to the multiple threats to health and safety, the commercial sexual exploitation and sex trafficking of minors has numerous immediate and long-term adverse emotional, behavioral, social, educational, and legal consequences for the youth involved. These consequences affect not only the victims and survivors, but also their families, communities, and the broader society. Thus, the commercial sexual exploitation and sex trafficking of minors is becoming recognized as a significant public health issue. The recent Institute of Medicine report, Confronting Commercial Sexual Exploitation and Sex Trafficking of Minors in the United States, details the scope and severity of the problem, causes and consequences, and existing approaches for assessment, prevention, and response. In addition, the report includes recommendations related to research, services, and policy that present opportunities and challenges for prevention science. First, the systems, settings, professionals, and community members that regularly interact with children and adolescents often lack the awareness and tools to assess risk and prevent the commercial sex exploitation and sex trafficking of minors; in addition, their efforts are often isolated, with barriers to collaborative and coordinated efforts. Second, existing methods for prevention and intervention are too often under resourced, implemented with varying integrity, and unevaluated. Third, the existing evidence base focused on the etiology and consequences of commercial sexual exploitation and sex trafficking of minors is extremely limited.  This roundtable brings together individuals with varied backgrounds, expertise, and involvement with the commercial sexual exploitation and sex trafficking of minors, including perspectives from medicine, law, and juvenile justice; victims and survivors; advocates and educators; and community members. Panelists will discuss this important issue from their diverse perspectives and invite audience commentary about the prevention-relevant recommendations put forth in the IOM report. By engaging stakeholders from multiple vantage points, it is our intention that this roundtable focused on the commercial sexual exploitation and sex trafficking of minors will spur collaborations that will lead to high quality preventive interventions and research, and actionable steps in line with recommendations outlined in the IOM report.