The

The Welcome to Human Monsters.

The following is drawn from a fact sheet by the National Child Traumatic Stress Network.

Child Sex Trafficking, CST, is a severe form of child abuse and trauma that affects youth in many critically important ways. In particular, the impact of

CST on development may interfere with learning and functioning in school. Professionals have a pivotal

role to play in identifying youth who have been or are being trafficked,

as well as vulnerable youth, and responding effectively to ensure their safety and support.

What is child sex trafficking?

Child sex trafficking is defined as the giving or receiving of anything of value,

example, money, shelter, food, clothing, drugs, etc. To any person in exchange for a sex act,

with someone under 18.

Force, fraud, or coercion are not required, nor is it a requirement that a third-party facilitates

or benefits from the exchange, although these elements are often present.

The following are examples of CST.

A 13-year-old transgender student runs away from school with a 14-year-old peer.

The friend posts an ad with pictures of the student on an adult services website to get

money to cover the cost of hotel, food, and hormone treatment.

A seven-year-old boy is sold by his parents for sex in exchange for drugs

or money to buy drugs. A 16-year-old undocumented high school girl lives with her 23-year-old

boyfriend after her parents are deported.

He then tells her to engage in sex with other men for money, sometimes during school hours, to, quote, contribute to their household.

Who is vulnerable to being sex trafficked?

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