Digital Commons Network^™

Internet-Facilitated Commercial Sexual Exploitation Of Children., Kimberly J. Mitchell, Lisa M. Jones

Crimes Against Children Research Center

This bulletin summarizes findings from the Internet‐Facilitated Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (IF‐CSEC) component of the 2006 Second National Juvenile Online Victimization study. Following are some key findings from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention‐sponsored study: • An estimated 569 arrests for IF‐CSEC were made in the United States in 2006; more than half of the arrests involved the offender marketing and selling child pornography. • Most offenders (83%) purchased child pornography or sex with a minor, but an important minority (17%) profited from the exploitation. Profiteers appeared to be more seasoned offenders who were involved in larger, …

Sex Trafficking Cases Involving Minors., Kimberly J. Mitchell, David Finkelhor, Janis Wolak

Crimes Against Children Research Center

This bulletin summarizes findings from the National Juvenile Prostitution Study (N‐JPS). It describes the prevalence and types of sex trafficking cases that ended in arrests or detentions by U.S. law enforcement agencies in 2005 and explores the characteristics of youth involved in sex trafficking, the characteristics of the cases themselves, and how police view these juveniles—as victims or as delinquents. The bulletin also covers policy and practice implica‐ tions and recommends several next steps for advancing the handling of these cases. Some findings include the fol‐ lowing: • There were an estimated 1,450 arrests and detentions for sex trafficking crimes …

Children's Exposure To Violence And The Intersection Between Delinquency And Victimization., Carlos A. Cuevas, David Finkelhor, Anne M. Shattuck, Heather Turner, Sherry L. Hamby

Crimes Against Children Research Center

Presents survey results from the National Survey of Children's Exposure to Violence (NatSCEV) regarding the co-occurrence of victimization and delinquency among children who are exposed to violence. The survey confirms findings of earlier studies that identified three groups of youth: delinquent-victims, primarily delinquent youth, and primarily victim youth. The survey found that the youth identified as delinquent-victims had higher levels of both delinquency and victimization than youth who fell into the other two categories. In addition, youth who had higher levels of delinquency and victimization suffered more adversities, including more mental health symptoms, more inconsistent/harsh parenting and less parental supervision, …

Sexting: When Are State Prosecutors Deciding To Prosecute? The Third National Juvenile Online Victimization Study (Njov‐3), Wendy A. Walsh, Janis Wolak, David Finkelhor

Crimes Against Children Research Center

Abstract The majority of state prosecutors (62%) in the sample that had worked on technology facilitated crimes against children had handled a sexting case involving juveniles, and 36% of prosecutors in the sample reported that they had ever filed charges in these cases. When charges were filed, the majority charged child pornography production felonies and 16% of prosecutors had sexting cases that resulted in the defendant being sentenced to sex offender registration. Research needs to continue to help prosecutors develop tools and strategies to deal with these complex crimes.

Prosecution Dilemmas And Challenges For Child Pornography Crimes: Thethird National Juvenile Onlinevictimization Study (Njov‐3), Wendy A. Walsh, Janis Wolak, David Finkelhor

Crimes Against Children Research Center

Abstract

Results from the National Juvenile Online Victimization (N‐ JOV) Prosecutor Study indicate that prosecutors use a mix of strategies to handle defendants who possess large amounts of child pornography (CP). Prosecutors reported difficulties with computer forensics and the police investigation, but not so much with defense strategies. One‐quarter of prosecutors who dealt with CP cases had one that went in front of a jury in the past 2 years. Nearly half of prosecutors would like clearer guidelines about the types of CP cases accepted for federal prosecution.

Updated Trends In Child Maltreatment, 2011., David Finkelhor, Lisa M. Jones, Anne M. Shattuck

Crimes Against Children Research Center

National statistics from 2011 showed continuing small declines in child maltreatment from the previous year. Overall substantiated child maltreatment actually declined 2% from 2010 to 2011, including a 3% decline in sexual abuse and a 1% decline in physical abuse. Child maltreatment fatalities were largely unchanged, down 1% from 1538 to 1527.

Updated Trends In Child Maltreatment, 2012., David Finkelhor, Lisa M. Jones, Anne M. Shattuck, Kei Saito

Crimes Against Children Research Center

National statistics from 2012 showed increases in some forms of child maltreatment for the first time in many years. While overall substantiated child maltreatment was flat from 2011 to 2012, there was a 2% rise in sexual abuse and a 5% rise in physical abuse. Neglect declined 3%, but child maltreatment fatalities rose 4% from 1557 to 1620.