title: Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children and State Child Welfare Systems.
abstract: In several states, commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC) is now a reportable child abuse offense. Illinois has taken the lead in tackling the issue and the Illinois experience illuminates valuable lessons. This article delineates the protection, practice, and policy implications that evolve when CSEC falls under a state child welfare system. The specific aims are to (a) discuss CSEC, its victims, risks, harms, and challenges inherent in providing effective care; (b) use Illinois as an exemplar to explicate the consequences and implementation challenges of establishing a state reporting system that frames CSEC as a child welfare issue; (c) recommend strategies for developing effective state reporting models, and (d) demonstrate how nurses are well poised to advocate for victims of human trafficking on both state and national levels. Recommendations for improving the identification of CSEC victims and overcoming challenges to state implementation are offered.
authors.affiliation: Rush University, Chicago, IL, USA Dawn_T_Bounds@rush.edu.
authors.forename: Dawn
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bounds
authors.affiliation: Rush University, Chicago, IL, USA.
authors.forename: Wrenetha A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Julion
authors.affiliation: Rush University, Chicago, IL, USA.
authors.forename: Kathleen R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Delaney
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002650:Child Abuse, Sexual / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D002669:Child Welfare / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D019548:Crime Victims / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D005260:Female; D006291:Health Policy; D064410:Human Trafficking / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D006801:Humans; D007087:Illinois; D008297:Male; D019221:Mandatory Reporting; D011477:Sex Work / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D014481:United States
keywords: child welfare; policy; prostitution; sexual abuse