Advocacy strategies and resources
CSEC (Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children)
Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC)
Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC) also called Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking, happens when a person under 18 exchanges sex for something of value (like money, food, shelter, or other goods). It is a form of child abuse and is illegal. Youth in foster care are at particularly high risk, and many have had experience with the dependency system at some point in their lives. Systems often fail to identify exploitation early and instead address its consequences rather than its causes.
Young people involved in CSEC may not see themselves as “victims,” and may describe their experiences in terms of control, survival, or relationships rather than exploitation. Regardless of self-identification, the experience is harmful and connected to trauma, mental health challenges, and long-term well-being concerns.
How CASAs Can Advocate
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Talk with your team first:
If you have concerns that a youth may be vulnerable to exploitation, speak with your Case Supervisor or the youth’s social worker rather than trying to investigate on your own. It is not a CASA’s role to confirm or “solve” cases of CSEC — your role is to support, observe, and connect the youth with appropriate services. San Francisco CASA
Supportive Actions Include:
Discuss concerns with the child’s caseworker and supervisor.
Encourage connections with trauma-informed providers familiar with CSEC.
Build trusting, non-judgmental relationships; listen and affirm what the youth share.
Share information about safe resources, including hotlines and community support.
Practice harm reduction and safety planning, focusing on the youth’s voice and choices.
SFCASA uses the Commercial Sexual Exploitation Identification Tool (CSE-IT) to assess strengths and vulnerabilities related to CSEC.
SFCASA partners with HSA-FCS to offer a CSEC prevention curriculum called The Cool Aunt Series. Please talk with your Case Supervisor about this option.
Language Matters:
Avoid labeling the youth as a “victim” or using terms like “prostitution” or “exploitation” unless the youth use them first. Instead, use open-ended questions about their feelings, concerns, and goals to encourage dialogue and trust.
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Item description
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Hotline
SF Bay Area Human Trafficking Hotline (415-907-9911) – 24/7 multilingual, confidential hotline.
Direct Services
Hope Center (SF SafeHouse) – Drop-in support, case management, harm reduction for exploited women and gender-expansive individuals.
HYPE Center (Freedom Forward) – Youth drop-in center (ages 14–24), CSEC-informed services, stability resources.
Youth Programs
Huckleberry Youth Programs / HART – CSEC training/response, outreach, case management.
Huckleberry House (Youth Shelter) – 24/7 crisis shelter, counseling, CSEC-informed support.
Huckleberry Youth Health Center – Medical, sexual health, mental health for youth.
Complementary Local Supports (Trauma, Abuse, Crisis)
Even if not specific to CSEC, these organizations often support youth with overlapping needs, such as trauma recovery, violence exposure, crisis response, housing instability, and healthy development:
S F Women Against Rape – Sexual assault crisis advocacy and support services.
La Casa de las Madres – Domestic abuse and violence support.
Community United Against Violence – Supports people impacted by violence, including LGBTQ+ youth.
Larkin Street Youth Services – Youth services with housing support and outreach for vulnerable and unhoused youth.
SF YOUth Health Connect – Youth health access services (may include referrals for supportive care).
Legal Services For Children (LSC) – Legal advocacy for youth (may support related legal needs).
Family Support Services – Family-focused supportive services that can help with stabilization.
Homeless Children's Network – Support for children and families experiencing homelessness.
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Hotlines & Crisis
CORA (Crisis Intervention) – 24/7 support for sexual exploitation/domestic violence survivors.
Community Solutions – Supports CSEC Youth – Crisis response, advocacy, safety planning.
County Services
San Mateo County Human Trafficking Program – DA-led collaboration for trafficking response.
San Mateo County Children & Family Services – Youth safety, CSEC referrals.
Youth & Homeless Services
StarVista – Crisis intervention, counseling, youth stabilization services.
Safe House for Youth (via StarVista programs) – Shelter, safety planning for high-risk youth.
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Hotlines & Direct Services
Community Violence Solutions (CVS) – Anti-trafficking advocacy, crisis response, and forensic support.
Love Never Fails – Survivor safe housing, youth prevention programs.
County Services
Contra Costa County Children & Family Services – CSEC case coordination & child welfare.
Contra Costa Alliance to End Abuse – Countywide collaborative addressing trafficking and exploitation.
Youth Housing & Outreach
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Hotline
Alameda County District Attorney’s HEAT Watch– Trafficking prevention initiative with victim support referrals.
Direct Services
MISSSEY – Specialized support for CSEC youth: case management, mentoring, healing spaces.
Safe Place (Youth Shelter – Covenant House CA) – Emergency youth shelter, crisis response.
County Programs
Alameda County Social Services – CSEC Task Force – Youth safety, multidisciplinary CSEC response.
Additional Youth Support
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Hotlines & Crisis
Santa Clara County Human Trafficking Task Force – County hotline info, coordinated victim services.
Bill Wilson Center – CSEC-informed case management, crisis housing, and family reunification.
Specialized Youth Services
Community Solutions – South County – CSEC intervention, advocacy, therapy.
The HUB Youth Center – Drop-in center for foster youth transitioning to adulthood.
County Programs
Santa Clara County SSA – CSEC Program – Child welfare–led multidisciplinary response.
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✔ Safety First: If a youth is in imminent danger, call emergency services (911) and report concerns to the CPS hotline as your agency protocol directs.
✔ Trauma-Informed Approach: Support youth with strength-based, non-judgmental communication and validate their experiences without assuming them incorrect.
✔ Self-Care: Working with CSEC-impacted youth can be emotionally intense. Prioritize your own well-being to sustain advocacy over time.
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