The prostitution of children and youth is a matter of growing concern in our Nation. J. Robert Flores, Administrator of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) has described this problem as “underreported, underrecognized and undertreated” and as such has made ending the commercial sexual exploitation of children and youth (CSEC) an OJJDP program priority.

This live, national satellite videoconference will examine challenges faced by law enforcement, judicial and victim assistance professionals and emphasize the importance of collaboration among public and private sector agencies, survivors of CSEC and other community based sectors. These include: law enforcement, courts, prosecution and child protective service agencies as well as schools, health and other service providers, elected leaders and legislator and the faith and business communities. The broadcast will explore effective prosecution strategies to help target perpetrators. It will also present strategies for protecting and supporting those victimized through CSEC, including mental health counseling, medical care, substance abuse treatment, safe housing, jobs training and education.

The broadcast will highlight the importance of both targeted personal safety awareness and education and broad prevention efforts that strengthen families and communities through education, community development, service learning, employment and mentoring strategies. It will feature practices that attempt to keep at-risk youth safe and free from harm; and community efforts that endeavor to break the cycles of violence and victimization by preventing and supporting runaway, thrown away, abused and neglected, and homeless children. The broadcast will underscore the fact that this issue must be addressed within the broad context of the abuse, neglect and exploitation of children.

Juvenile justice professionals, including judges, law enforcement, prosecutors and defense counsel, and probation
Federal, State and local policymakers
Professionals from social services, health, education, labor and child protective services agencies
Professionals including survivors representing nonprofit service providers, street outreach agencies and other interested sectors