Foster Care - Keeping Kids Off the Streets

One of the primary risks for homeless children is child sexual exploitation. Unfortunately, it is common for kids to get caught up in this industry when they are living on the streets. Foster care is a solid solution to this problem, but many children fall through the cracks. Here, we will examine the problem, causes, and possible solutions to the issue of child sexual exploitation.

How does this even happen? There are four main systemic causes of child sexual exploitation.

• Poverty - Generational poverty and homelessness clearly put youth at risk. Transient, homeless children are prime targets for this illegal industry.
• Family - Dysfunctional family life can create immense trauma for children. This may include mental, physical, emotional, and sexual abuse. Children often intentionally leave home to escape the dangerous environment. Alcohol and drug abuse are common in these circumstances.
• Media - The media has an impact on young people. They often glorify sex, drugs, and violence.
• Demand - Sadly, there is a demand for child sex exploitation.

What are the solutions?

• Communication - There is a serious lack of information sharing between organizations. Social workers, educators, physicians, juvenile justice workers, and child advocacy groups need better communication.
• Funding - There is a lack of financial support for programs to help these kids. We need more trained professionals.
• Education - The school systems often do not recognize problems and have no comprehensive method for helping the children. Furthermore, we need to educate the public about the problem.
• Decrease demand - Tougher laws to punish adults involved in the child exploitation industry would be helpful in reducing the demand.

The foster-care program is an important piece of this puzzle. Keeping kids off the street is the first defense against child sexual exploitation. Creating a tighter net, to avoid children slipping through, would help them remain safe. This is a systemic societal problem that needs to be approached from various angles. If you are interested in helping, contact your local child welfare office.