An updated typology of commercial sexual exploitation of children and youth cases coming to law enforcement attention in 2021: Implications for identification and investigations.

Abstract

Background: Understanding the details and dynamics of commercial sexual exploitation (CSE) of children and youth can offer professionals information to assist in victim identification and referrals to appropriate services. This is especially pressing given the changing landscape of CSE investigations.

Objective: To update an existing typology of CSE cases coming to law enforcement attention that captures new case dynamics.

Participants and setting: 361cases of CSE investigated by law enforcement across the US in 2021.

Methods: Respondents were recruited using mail surveys sent to a random sample of law enforcement agencies in the United States stratified by agency size. Surveys identified the key investigating officer of CSE cases, whom we contacted for interviews or case record requests.

Results: CSE cases were first distinguished by whether they involved an identified minor victim. Out of the 361 cases in our sample, 81.2 % involved an identified minor and in 18.8 % there were no identified minors. Cases not involving identified minors were undercover investigations or involved the purchase of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) without an identified victim. Cases that did involve identified victims were equally divided between those involving third-party exploiters (56.7 %) and no known third-party exploiter (43.3 %). Technology played a central role in the dynamics of cases, particularly in how the commercial exchange of CSAM was used to facilitate hands-on offenses. In comparison to cases with no known third-party exploiter, those with were significantly more likely to involve multiple suspects, older youth, race or ethnic minority youth, youth with a history of running away and suicidal behavior. These cases were more likely to include aggravating elements, such as the minor being given alcohol or drugs, depicted in CSAM, exposure to unprotected sex, and physical assault. These minors were also more likely to have a history of involvement with child protective services for child abuse or neglect.

Conclusions: More diverse training and resources are needed for police to better identify the diversity of CSE cases, especially those facilitated through technology. Future research should focus on populations which are under-represented in CSE investigations, such as boys and sexual and gender minority youth.