Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC)

Training and Resources from National Children's Alliance and our partners

The commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC), often called child sex trafficking or by other names, often leaves victims with complex trauma and in need of intensive case management and other services. To aid Children's Advocacy centers (CACs) in serving this population, NCA's CSEC Collaborative Workgroup developed the resources and trainings on this page. It is our hope that CACs and multidisciplinary team members will use this resource, in partnership with their community, to understand and explore the unique needs of children who are trafficked and/or exploited online to ensure a compassionate and trauma-informed response. The toolkit provides needed training and resources on the topics of CSEC and Child Sexual Abuse Materials (CSAM). The trainings offered will help CACs meet the NCA CSEC Optional Standard for Accreditation.

The resources provided are not an exhaustive list.  For more information or any questions, 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. However, several federal criminal provisions can be applied to conduct that falls within this definition of CSEC, including 18 U.S.C. §§ 1591, 2251, and 2423(c).

Visit OJJDP Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Website