In 2023, DCF verified 339 youth as victims of commercial sexual exploitation (CSE). Overall, the total number of verified youth has decreased by 11% since 2020. However, the annual number of reports to the Florida Abuse Hotline alleging CSE of minors has increased by 6% since 2020. Dependent youth under the care of the department continue to have higher incidences of prior maltreatmet than community youth.
Stakeholders report continued limited availability of specialized settings for CSE youth, including settings for those who also need inpatient substance use or mental health treatment. Stakeholders also continue to report gaps in the service array. The number of licensed CSE beds remains the same as the number cited in OPPAGA’S 2023 report; however, there are ongoing placement recruiting efforts, and additional CSE placements are anticipated by the end of 2024.
Once verified, CSE youth spent the most time in traditional foster homes and at-risk group homes, though the overall percentage of time spent in at-risk group homes has declined. Revictimized youth, those who had a verified CSE finding in 2023 and in a previous year, spent more time in Deprtment of Juvenile Justice facilities and missing from care and less time in traditional foster homes and relative/non-relative placements than newly verified youth.
Evidence-based practices and formalized outcome measures specific to CSE youth are lacking, though stakeholders agree that having highly individualized services and goals is important for this population. Similar to prior OPPAGA findings, CSE youth continue to have high rates of juvenile justice and child welfare involvement and poor educational outcomes following their verification. In additiion, while the majority of CSE youth are enrolled in school in the year following verification, they are often absent and in a lower grade level than expected based on their age.
OPPAGA identified several issues regarding placement capacity and options for at-risk and verified CSE youth, service gaps, and data collection. To address these issues, OPPAGA offers several recommendations to state agencies that engage in activities to address human trafficking crimes and assist CSE youth. These recommendations include enhancing placement capacity, increasing services, and improving data collection.
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