BATH - The sexual exploitation of children can’t happen here. Not in Steuben County. “As a patrol officer, that’s what I thought,” county Sheriff Jim Allard told participants at the county’s Steuben Vulnerable Youth Summit Tuesday morning. “I’ve come to realize I should have looked more closely at those (kids). I only looked at the criminal aspect of their behavior, such as trespass, disorderly conduct, not at the underlying aspect of why they behaved like that.” Allard was one of several panelists representing services and county agencies on the front line of human trafficking of children under the age of 18. In attendance were more than 100 people from more than 20 schools, churches, youth advocacy and substance abuse prevention programs. Commercial sexual and labor exploitation of children does happen in Steuben, as it does in other counties across the state and nation, panelists said. Sexual exploitation can occur when a child is forced to perform sex acts in return for something of value such as drugs, food or a place to stay. Drug abuse also is common. “If there is drug abuse in your community, there is human trafficking in your community,” Allard said. "It’s as simple as that.”
Homeless or mistreated youth are especially vulnerable when
it comes to human predators who promise survival and safety in return for sex
or work, panelists said. In addition, many youth simply believe it’s accepted
behavior or a job like any other. Deb Kuehner, summit keynote speaker and
founder of Potter’s Hands, a 12-bed safe house in the county for exploited
women, said signs a child may be exploited include:
· Presence of an overly controlling or abusive boyfriend.
· Excess amount of cash
· Chronic runaway/homeless youth
· Signs or tattoos as “brands”
Lying about age/false identification; Inconsistency in
stories
· Lack of knowledge about a given community and whereabouts
· Inability to make, or fear of, contact with any authority,
such as police, teachers, responsible adults
· Injuries/ signs of physical abuse or torture
· Restricted/scripted communication
· Behavior -- defensive, rude, evasive, aggressive
· Demeanor-- fear, anxiety, depression, submissive, tense,
nervous
· Little knives or weapons used to keep themselves safe.
· Provocative style of shoes and clothing. "And we
don't want to lose sight the fact labor trafficking occurs, too, when a child
is forced to work in exchange for little or no pay," said county Youth
Bureau Coordinator Bill Caudill.
The summit marked a year-long effort by related Steuben
agencies to set the groundwork for a successful campaign to end abusive
exploitation and help runaway and homeless youth. Recognizing the problem is
the first step toward stopping the problem, county Vulnerable Youth project
coordinator Lisa Baker said. “A lot of people believe it just can’t be
happening here,” Baker said. “Well, it is. We’re working on telling people what
it is and what they can do to stop it. Our first priority is the safety of our
children.” The event was sponsored by the county Department of Social Services
and county Youth Bureau and supported by the state Office of Children and
Family Services.
