“The research summarized in this report represents an innovative approach to the systematic collection of first-generation data concerning the nature, extent and seriousness of child sexual exploitation in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. The project was organized around the following research objectives: 1. identification of the nature, extent, and underlying causes of CSE and the CSEC occurring in the three countries of the North American Free Trade region (hereafter “NAFTA”) – the U.S., Canada, and Mexico; 2. identification of those subgroups of children that are at the greatest risk of being sexually exploited; 3. identification of subgroups of adult perpetrators of sex crimes against children – including pimps, traffickers, and adult “customers” of children for sex; 4. identification of the extent to which organized criminal units are involved in the CSEC, but especially in juvenile prostitution and trafficking in children for sexual purposes; 5. to the extent possible, identification of the modes of operation and other methods used by organized criminal units to recruit children into sexually exploitative activities; 6. identification of local, state and national laws relating to CSE and the CSEC; 7. identification of international agreements, covenants and declarations pertaining to CSE and the CSEC; 8. identification of the strengths and weakness of the country’s current capacity for preventing, or at least protecting, children from sexual exploitation; and, 9. with local, state and national governmental and nongovernmental representatives, frame recom-mendations designed to strengthen the nation’s capacity to prevent, or at least protect, the nation’s and region’s children from sexual exploitation.” – Publisher’s description
