Child sexual abuse continues to be an epidemic:

 

• 1 in 5 girls and 1 in 20 boys is a victim of child sexual abuse

• Children are most vulnerable to CSA between the ages of 7 and 13.

 

The research also indicates that vulnerable children and adolescents such as abused and neglected children are more likely to be victimized by sexual predators.

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First Star Institute encourages society to utilize the many avenues to work towards eradicating this epidemic, including civil and criminal penalties, background screening and oversight of those working with children, public outreach, education and training focused on those who may be able to assist victims, and age-appropriate child empowerment and education.Our current sexual abuse project is aimed at arming lawyers for children with updated information to better serve their child clients.

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ADVANCING COLLABORATION TO END CHILD SEX TRAFFICKING

Legislation of the last 10 years has sought to address child sex trafficking.  Child welfare practice has sought to better identify, prevent and respond to child sex trafficking.  50-90% of victims have been involved in the child welfare system.  Cross systems collaboration is one of the 11 key principles that the National Advicory Committee on the Sex Trafficking of Children and Youth in the U.S. highlighted as supporting a comprehensive response and should be incorporated into all identification, prevention and treatment efforts.  The Institute interviewed Judges, Attorneys, and CASAs from sites with established collaborative approaches to address child sex trafficking among the child welfare population.  Results will be published in 2025.

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REPORT PUBLISHED Advancing Collaboration to Respond to Child Sex Trafficking -- A cross systems collaborative approach that engages and incorporates knowledge from a network of partners is essential to effectively respond to Child Sex Trafficking. First Star Institute's report examines the role that child attorneys, guardians ad litem and lay volunteers can play in ensuring that trafficked children receive the help they need.

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