Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC): 

Training and Resources

This resource was developed by the National Children’s Alliance Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC) Collaborative Workgroup.  It is our hope that CACs and multidisciplinary team members will use the resource, in partnership with their community, to understand and explore the unique needs of child sexual exploitation victims to ensure a compassionate and trauma-informed response. The toolkit provides needed training and resources to help CACs meet the NCA CSEC Optional Standard for Accreditation.

The resources provided are not an exhaustive list.  For more information or to add additional CSEC resources to this page, please contact Michele Mullen, Senior Manager, Workforce Project, mmullen@nca-online.org. 

OJJDP Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention - CSEC Definition 

Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC) refers to a range of crimes and activities involving the sexual abuse or exploitation of a child for the financial benefit of any person or in exchange for anything of value (including monetary and non-monetary benefits) given or received by any person. Examples of crimes and acts that constitute CSEC:

• child sex trafficking/the prostitution of children;
• child sex tourism involving commercial sexual activity;
• commercial production of child pornography;
• online transmission of live video of a child engaged in sexual activity in exchange for anything of value.

CSEC also includes situations where a child, whether or not at the direction of any other person, engages in sexual activity in exchange for anything of value, which includes non-monetary things such as food, shelter, drugs, or protection from any person.  Depending on the specific circumstances, CSEC may also occur in the context of internet-based marriage brokering, early marriage, and children performing in sexual venues.

Note: CSEC is not legally defined by federal statute or case law.

Visit OJJDP Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Website