Many of those receiving services at rape crisis centers are survivors of child sexual abuse. Understanding the various dynamics of child sexual abuse (CSA) equips advocates to better assist and support survivors during “late” disclosures with trauma-informed and healing-centered engagement.
Listening and talking about CSA is difficult, and can be even more difficult when harmdoers are family members and caregivers. The commercial sexual exploitation (CSEC) of children is a form of child sexual abuse, and emerging research suggests that family-facilitated CSEC could account for a significant proportion of all CSEC cases. Because of this, advocates must be prepared to believe and hear these stories.
While this type of child abuse and exploitation may be less prevalent that other forms of CSA, the severity of its health outcomes demands our attention. We also must consider how poverty, increasing opioid use, impact of COVID and other socio-environmental stressors has created a desperate environment in which children are at risk for experiencing familial trafficking.
In this 90-minute webinar, NCCASA Human Trafficking Program Coordinator Courtney Dunkerton will lead participants to:
Learn how familial trafficking differs from other forms of CSEC
Consider key research on risk factors, intersection of systems, health impacts, and programmatic recommendations
Learn ways to serve adult survivors of FT
Discuss ways to educate community stakeholders and child-serving agencies on FT
This training builds on the content of the three-part online learning series: Essential Knowledge for Addressing the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children in North Carolina. Free access to this training will be given to participants at the end of the NCCASA webinar.