With the rapid growth of digital technology, traffickers now heavily rely on social media to recruit and start the grooming process. They will often use violence to retain control. Once the trafficker feels they have successfully made the victim dependent on them, they will manipulate or directly force the victim into prostitution. Many foster children have experienced a lack of trusted caring adults in their life however, pimps are willing to put in the work, as the child will serve as a financial payout for them in the future. The grooming process can be lengthy, as it involves earning the victim’s trust. 4 During the process known as grooming, the trafficker’s goal will be to gain the victim’s trust, provide for the victim’s needs, and isolate them. According to the Department of Justice, most often, victims fall prey to traffickers who lure them in with an offer of attention, food, clothes, a safe place to sleep, friendship, and love. The trafficker will play on the vulnerability exposed by their victim to gain power and ensure loyalty. Areas targeted for recruitment by traffickers include, but are not limited to, places where children typically congregate, such as schools, bus stations, malls, parks, and foster care group homes. In most cases, victims are not kidnapped or taken against their will. 4 Within the trafficking world, the relationship the victim has with their trafficker can serve as the number one manipulating technique used by the trafficker. Traffickers, also referred to as pimps, will prey on those they feel are most vulnerable and that is why foster children have a greater risk of becoming victims. 2 Experts have concluded that the average age for girls entering “the life” is 12 years old, while the average age of children involved in prostitution or working “on the track” when recovered by law enforcement is 14 years old. According to the National Foster Youth Institute, it is estimated that 60% of CSEC victims have a history in the child welfare system. 1 Our most vulnerable children, foster children, often fall victim. The commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC) is an issue not only abroad but in our country too, with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) estimating more than 100,000 children currently being exploited in the United States. Written by Jessica Miller, Advocacy Supervisor, Juvenile Justice
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