The Implementation of a Validated CSEC Screening Tool for Youth Age 11 - 17 in a Pediatric Emergency Room

Abuse of children is a public health issue covering a range of inflicted harm from neglect to physical to sexual abuse. A severe form of child sexual abuse is the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC). This phenomenon involves sexual crimes against children, including exploitation for gain. High-risk indicators are noted throughout the literature to aid in identification, but some children are vulnerable because of their young age. Perpetrators can be family, friends, or acquaintances and choose their potential victims by recognizing a child’s vulnerabilities. Inevitable physical and mental health consequences are associated with CSEC involvement; hence these youth seek out healthcare. They do not self-identify because they do not see themselves as victims and are not identified by Healthcare Providers (HCP) due to knowledge deficit and decreased awareness. Healthcare providers are in pivotal roles in identifying these victims as they seek out healthcare, however, training and a validated screening tool are needed to enable the identification of high-risk youth. Research questions: 1) Will a CSEC educational intervention and the implementation of a validated CSEC screening tool, increase the confidence levels of licensed healthcare providers in a Pediatric Emergency Room in identifying high-risk youth age 11 – 17 over baseline confidence levels? 2) Will the implementation of a validated CSEC screening tool in a Pediatric Emergency Room increase the rate of referrals of high-risk youth age 11 – 17 over pre-implementation rate as determined by retrospective chart review? Sample/population: Licensed HCPs in a Pediatric Emergency Room Research Design: Cross-sectional with pre and post-test (confidence levels) and retrospective chart review (referral rate). Statistical analysis using descriptive statistics, paired-samples t-tests, and Pearson’s r and Spearman’s rho correlations were performed. Results showed that there was an increase in perceived confidence levels, no increase in the referral rate; however, documentation by the HCP did improve

The Implementation of a Validated CSEC Screening Tool for Youth Age 11 - 17 in a Pediatric Emergency Room

Abstract Youth are a vulnerable population due to their age, developmental level, and dependability on others. Child abuse is a public health issue that addresses a broad range of inflicted harm ranging from neglect to physical and sexual maltreatment. A severe form of child sexual abuse is the Commercial Exploitation of Children (CSEC), also known as Child Sex Trafficking (CST), and Human Minor Sex Trafficking (HMST). For purposes of this paper, CSEC is used for CSEC, CST, and HMST. Commercial sexual exploitation of children includes sexual crimes involving children and adolescents for gain. Due to the child being less than 18 years old, no evidence of force must be proven. The prevalence of CSEC is unknown due to the absence of tracking, multiple definitions, lack of awareness and education, and the covert nature of the exploitation. There are risk factors associated with CSEC and residual sequela resulting in physical and mental health disabilities. Due to the health consequences experienced with exploitation, these victims seek out healthcare but are not identified by the healthcare provider. Healthcare providers are in pivotal roles in recognizing these victims with adequate education and an effective screening tool. This translational project aims to increase confidence levels in the pediatric emergency room nurses at the Beverly Knight Olsen Children\u27s Hospital by educating on CSEC and the utilization of a validated screening tool to assist in identifying potential high–risk youth 11 – 17 years, referring them, and connecting them with essential resources

The Implementation of a Validated CSEC Screening Tool for Youth Age 11 - 17 in a Pediatric Emergency Room

Youth are a vulnerable population due to their age, developmental level, and dependability on others. Child abuse is a public health issue that addresses a broad range of inflicted harm ranging from neglect to physical and sexual maltreatment. A severe form of child sexual abuse is the Commercial Exploitation of Children (CSEC), also known as Child Sex Trafficking (CST), and Human Minor Sex Trafficking (HMST). For purposes of this paper, CSEC is used for CSEC, CST, and HMST. Commercial sexual exploitation of children includes sexual crimes involving children and adolescents for gain. Due to the child being less than 18 years old, no evidence of force must be proven. The prevalence of CSEC is unknown due to the absence of tracking, multiple definitions, lack of awareness and education, and the covert nature of the exploitation. There are risk factors associated with CSEC and residual sequela resulting in physical and mental health disabilities. Due to the health consequences experienced with exploitation, these victims seek out healthcare but are not identified by the healthcare provider. Healthcare providers are in pivotal roles in recognizing these victims with adequate education and an effective screening tool. This translational project aims to increase confidence levels in the pediatric emergency room nurses at the Beverly Knight Olsen Children\u27s Hospital by educating on CSEC and the utilization of a validated screening tool to assist in identifying potential high–risk youth 11 – 17 years, referring them, and connecting them with essential resources