1160. Commercially Sexually Exploited Children (CSEC)

Applies To:  This policy applies to all Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) employees.

Policy Number & Title:  1160. Commercially Sexually Exploited Children (CSEC)

Effective Date:  July 23, 2017

Purpose

To identify, document, and determine appropriate and culturally responsive services for children or youth with an open case in the DCYF who are at risk of or are victims of commercial sexual exploitation (CSE).

Authority

PL 106-386  Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protections Act of 2000

PL 113-183  Preventing Sex Trafficking and Strengthening Families Act

PL 114-22  Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act of 2015

RCW 9.68A.100  Commercial Sexual Abuse of a Minor – Penalties

RCW 9.68A.101  Promoting Commercial Sexual Abuse of Minor - Penalty

RCW 9.68A.102  Promoting Travel for Commercial Sexual Abuse of a Minor - Penalty

RCW 9.68A.103  Permitting Commercial Sexual Abuse of a Minor - Penalty

RCW 26.44.020  Definitions

RCW 26.44.030  Reports–Duty and Authority to Make–Duty of Receiving Agency–Duty to Notify–Case Planning and Consultation–Penalty for Unauthorized Exchange of Information–Filing Dependency Petitions–Investigations–Interviews of Children – Records – Risk Assessment Process

Policy

  1. A child or youth will receive a screening to assess whether they are a victim of Commercial Sexual Exploitation (CSE) when:
    1. They are involved in an open case in any program within DCYF, in-home with their parent or guardian or placed in out-of-home care, and there is suspicion, indication or confirmation that the child or youth may be a victim of CSE.
    2. The child is age 11 years or older at the time of Child and Family Welfare Services (CFWS) case opening either in-home or out-of-home.
    3. The child or youth has returned to placement after being missing from care.
  2. DCYF will report to law enforcement (LE) within 24 hours any child or youth who has been indicated or confirmed as CSEC regardless of whether the child or youth believes they have been victimized. DCYF staff will document the report to LE on the Intake Referral tab in FamLink including the date and time of report and name of the LE agency.
  3. Any DCYF employee who suspects or learns that a child or youth has been sexually exploited will follow the mandatory reporting statute and make a report to intake.

A shared planning meeting will be held for all children or youth in the care and custody of DCYF when there is indication or confirmation of CSE.

Resources

Commercially Sexually Exploited Children procedures (Located in the DCYF Policies & Rules Office SharePoint)

Shared Planning Meetings policy

Original Date:  September 29, 2015

Revised Date:  July 23, 2017

Review Date: 

Approved by:  Jennifer Strus, Assistant Secretary