BATH - Steuben County officials are on pace with a five-year
plan to prevent the commercial sexual exploitation of children under the age of
18, with a county Department of Social Services veteran recently appointed to
head the efforts. Lisa Baker, who retired after more than 33 years with Steuben
Department of Social Services said she will organize programs dealing with
runaway, homeless and exploited youth under joint leadership of the county’s
Department of Social Services and Youth Bureau. “It interested me and I’m not
afraid of the subject,” Baker said. “If it saves or protects even one person it
will be worthwhile.” Baker is the former county DSS Director of Temporary &
Disability Assistance, and is active on several boards related to youth
services. Commercial sexual exploitation occurs when anyone under 18 is
required to perform a sex act in exchange for something.
While commercial sexual exploitation of a child is a serious
crime, the children may engage in sexual activity in order to meet a basic
need, such as food or a place to stay. Predators may even tell the child it is
a normal and natural “payment” for their basic needs. The problem may also be
linked with the growing drug culture in Steuben, Baker said. Begun earlier this
year, Steuben officials have set up an advisory committee that includes
representatives from several county departments, including social services, the
youth bureau, law department, sheriff, probation, mental health, and public
health. Key workers have begun training and raising awareness of the problem,
with an estimated 100 county and community representatives to be trained by the
end of 2018. Baker is now organizing an Oct. 30 summit at the First
Presbyterian Church in Bath, which will bring in related agencies and the
public to discuss the issue and develop future strategies. She expects a
full-scale campaign to begin in 2019. “A lot of people believe it just can’t be
happening here,” Baker said. “Well, it is. We’re want to tell people what it is
and what they can do to stop it. Our priority is the safety of our children.”
