Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability
Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability

Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children: 2026

Report 26-03, June 2026

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Report Summary

  • In 2025, the Department of Children and Families (DCF) verified 434 children as CSE victims, the largest number in one year since OPPAGA began reporting verified victims. 
  • Multiple placements and services are available for CSE victims. Placements tailored to serve CSE victims include safe foster homes, safe houses, and at-risk homes. Some community-based care lead agencies (CBCs) reported that the number of safe houses and safe foster homes are limited in CBC service areas, and providers identified recruitment barriers, such as a lengthy application process and additional training requirements, for safe foster homes. 
  • CSE victims may benefit from mental health and other support services. Most CBCs reported that substance use treatment and telehealth counseling were accessible in CBC service areas; however, accessibility can vary within service areas. In addition, stakeholders identified survivor mentors as a support gap for CSE victims.
  • Children with suspected or confirmed histories of CSE often are involved with both the child welfare and juvenile justice systems. State law requires interagency collaboration for dually served children. DCF and Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) collaboration to serve CSE victims occurs during statutorily required multidisciplinary staffing meetings. However, collaboration varies once a CSE victim is placed within a DJJ residential commitment program.
  • OPPAGA identified several issues regarding availability of placements tailored for CSE victims, agency coordination, access to survivor mentors, and data collection. To address these issues, the Legislature could consider continuing to invest in safe foster home programs; directing DCF and DJJ to enhance information sharing; requiring DCF to expand access to survivor mentors and increase awareness of survivor mentor services; and requiring DCF to include all statutorily required elements in its individual-level data collection tool.

 

 

 

Related Reports
  1. Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children: 2025
    Report 25-04 July 2025
  2. Annual Report on the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Minors, 2024
    Report 24-04 July 2024
  3. Annual Report on the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children in Florida, 2023
    Report 23-08 June 2023
  4. Annual Report on the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children in Florida, 2022
    Report 22-05 July 2022
Copies of this report in print or alternate accessible format may be obtained by email OPPAGA@oppaga.fl.gov, telephone (850) 488-0021, or mail 111 W. Madison St., Room 312 Tallahassee, FL 32399-1475.
Copies of this report in print or alternate accessible format may be obtained by email OPPAGA@oppaga.fl.gov, telephone (850) 488-0021, or mail 111 W. Madison St., Room 312 Tallahassee, FL 32399-1475.
Human trafficking, commercial sexual exploitation, CSE, Florida, youth