In the face of a recurring and widespread plague of commercial sexual exploitation—more commonly referred to as sex trafficking—we find countless children and adolescents affected. As we commemorate the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons on today's date, July 30, we are starkly reminded that New York is once again among the top five states with the highest reports to the National Human Trafficking Hotline in 2022.
Child sex trafficking manifests when a minor is coaxed into exchanging a sexual act for something of value. This could encompass clothing, shelter, sustenance, or money, landing the child in an injurious net of exploitation.
It is a lamentable fact that the incidence of child sex trafficking is far higher than we might comfortably acknowledge. Illustratively, New York's child welfare system has pinpointed around 5,000 cases since 2015 where children were either at risk of or subjected to trafficking.
Additionally, the Safe Harbour: NY program has since 2017 identified more than 8,106 youth statewide as either trafficked or at risk. This alarming issue lurks on our doorstep, leaving a trail of deep, often irreparable scars on children, families, and communities alike.
Children of all backgrounds fall into the crosshairs of adults who cunningly lure them into exploitative circumstances using tools of fear, shame, and intimidation. Once ensnared, these children endure unfathomable sexual abuse and rape. Many are coercively featured in explicit online videos and photos—a never-ending network of exploitation.
According to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, online platforms serving as conduits for child sex trafficking hit distressingly high levels during the pandemic. The trend shows no sign of subsiding. Increased time spent online due to pandemic restrictions has only added fuel to the fire, as warned by the U.S. surgeon general.
Online gathering places, including interactive games and social media platforms, have unfortunately become a hunting ground for adult predators. While we are alert to the dangers posed by strangers in playgrounds or schoolyards, the online world poses its own unique set of challenges.
No child is immune to exploitation. However, those with histories of abuse—especially sexual—and those in foster care or the juvenile justice system, homeless youth or those who have fled conflict at home, are particularly vulnerable. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and nonbinary youth are at specific risk, often exacerbated by rejection from family and community.
Mitigating this grave societal challenge requires a unified front. The New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) is devoted to equipping local governments and service providers with the tools to identify and respond to children subjected to sex and labor trafficking.
These survivors often grapple with deep-seated shame and trauma. Let us assure them that they are cherished, that they will be shielded instead of held culpable should they land in a perilous or violent situation.
Under Erin's Law, schools in New York are obligated to teach prevention of sexual abuse and exploitation to students from kindergarten through eighth grade. Parents and community members should engage with these institutions to amplify preventive efforts.
While child trafficking is a formidable issue, collective action can bring about change. Awareness is key—recognize the warning signs of trafficking; teach your children about the dangers both offline and online, and accept that survivors of sexual trafficking can indeed thrive. OCFS provides resources to assist in this cause. Together, we can combat exploitation and ensure the safety of New York's children and adolescents.
