World Day Against Trafficking in Persons means protecting every kid possible
How to fight child sex trafficking: World Day Against Trafficking in ... New York Daily News
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Commercial Sexual Exploitation and the Sustainable Development Goals
Introduction
Commercial sexual exploitation, or sex trafficking, is a pernicious and ubiquitous scourge that impacts many unseen children and youth. As we recognize World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, today, July 30, it is deeply sobering that New York was again in the top five states with the most contacts to the National Human Trafficking Hotline in 2022.
The Impact of Sex Trafficking on Children
Sex trafficking of children happens when a sex act with a minor is exchanged for something of value. That value could be clothing, a place to stay, food or cash, but the child quickly becomes entrapped. Sex trafficking of children is more common than any of us would like to acknowledge. New York’s child welfare system has identified children who were at risk or have been trafficked nearly 5,000 times since 2015 — more than 700 children each year. In addition, since 2017, the Safe Harbour: NY program, operating in every county to develop local capacity to respond to survivors, has identified 8,106 youth as trafficked or at risk in New York State.
The Role of Online Platforms
Children of all ages and identities are groomed and deceived by adults and subsequently lured into exploitive situations using fear, shame and threats. Once trapped, the adults force children and youth to endure sexual abuse and rape at the hands of paying customers or peddle sexual videos and photographs of them online to a vast network that never goes away. According to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, child sex trafficking through online platforms hit record highs during the pandemic and has only continued to grow.
Vulnerabilities and Prevention
Children and youth spend significantly more time alone with their computers and smartphones since the pandemic. The U.S. surgeon general sounded the alarm on the negative impact that social media has on youth. Online grooming and sexual exploitation of children are key factors in this harm. Adult predators troll digital spaces where children and youth go to connect and play, including interactive games and social media.
No child is immune from entrapment into trafficking by predators, but children and youth who have a history of abuse, and especially sexual abuse, are at highest risk. Some of our most vulnerable are children and youth in foster care and the juvenile justice system, youth who are homeless or leave their homes due to familial strife or feel they are unloved.
Children and youth who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender/gender nonbinary are often rejected by their families and communities for who they are, which creates specific risks of exploitation. Unconditional love and stable supports are potent protections against the pulls of the predators.
Efforts by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services
In the face of this daunting social challenge, the New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) supports local governments and service providers to build their capacity to identify and respond to children and youth who have survived sex and labor trafficking. These children are extremely traumatized and feel deep shame due to stigma. They need and deserve our attention.
Prevention and Education
We must all help prevent this egregious abuse of young people. Adults need to let children and youth know that they are loved and that they will be protected — rather than blamed — in the awful event they end up in a sexually exploitative, dangerous, or violent relationship or encounter.
New York’s schools are now required under Erin’s Law to teach sexual abuse and exploitation prevention to students in kindergarten through eighth grade. Parents and community members: talk to your schools about this mandate so you can educate yourself and reinforce prevention efforts at home.
Taking Action
Responding to child trafficking might feel overwhelming, but there is much we can do to help. All of us should learn to recognize the vulnerabilities to trafficking, talk to our children about grooming, particularly online, and understand that children and youth who are being sexually trafficked are not only victims of a horrific crime, but also survivors who can thrive.
OCFS provides trafficking resources for professionals, parents and concerned community members. We all must do our part. Learn the warning signs of trafficking. Review OCFS’ website. Together, we can build a future free from exploitation for all New York children and youth.
Aledort is the deputy commissioner of the New York State Office of Children and Family Services’ Division of Youth Development and Partnerships for Success.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
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SDG 5: Gender Equality
- Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual exploitation.
- Indicator: Number of cases of trafficking and sexual exploitation reported and addressed.
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SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
- Target 8.7: Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labor, end modern slavery and human trafficking, and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labor.
- Indicator: Number of children identified as trafficked or at risk of trafficking.
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SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
- Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children.
- Indicator: Number of children identified as victims of trafficking or exploitation.
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 5: Gender Equality | Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual exploitation. | Number of cases of trafficking and sexual exploitation reported and addressed. |
| SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth | Target 8.7: Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labor, end modern slavery and human trafficking, and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labor. | Number of children identified as trafficked or at risk of trafficking. |
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children. | Number of children identified as victims of trafficking or exploitation. |
Analysis
The article addresses the issue of commercial sexual exploitation, specifically sex trafficking, which is connected to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
1. SDG 5: Gender Equality
The article highlights the impact of sex trafficking on women and girls, emphasizing the need to eliminate violence against them. This aligns with Target 5.2 of SDG 5, which aims to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls, including trafficking and sexual exploitation.
2. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
The article discusses the need to eradicate forced labor, modern slavery, and human trafficking, particularly the worst forms of child labor. This relates to Target 8.7 of SDG 8, which calls for immediate and effective measures to end these practices. The article also mentions the identification of children at risk of trafficking, which is relevant to measuring progress towards this target.
3. SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
The article emphasizes the importance of ending abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and violence against children. This aligns with Target 16.2 of SDG 16, which aims to end these forms of violence and torture against children. The identification of children as victims of trafficking or exploitation serves as an indicator to measure progress towards this target.
Overall, the article highlights the need to address the issue of sex trafficking and its impact on children and youth. The identified SDGs, targets, and indicators provide a framework for monitoring progress and taking action to combat this issue.
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Source: nydailynews.com
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