Focus area

Commercial Sexual Exploitation

NCYL seeks to end the commercial sexual exploitation (CSE) of children and youth - also referred to as child sex trafficking - and support children, youth, families and caregivers affected by CSE experience safety and healing so that they may achieve their goals. We work to research, identify, develop and implement policies and practices that achieve collective systems change.

Center Youth
NCYL works with survivor leaders with personal experience with CSE as children or youth who provide leadership and consultation to our team, our partners, governmental agencies, community-based organizations and other stakeholders.

Our Success & Impact

Get up to date on our latest work - from litigation and policy wins to new reports, resources, events and more.

Nation's Top Legal Justice Group for Kids, Announces New Leader

The National Center for Youth Law has chosen one of its own – and the first woman and person of color – to carry forward the organization’s mission to...

Success and Impact

We all can build awareness to end human trafficking

During Human Trafficking Awareness Month each January, you read, hear, and see more about commercial sexual exploitation, sex trafficking, and human...

Success and Impact

'Little April' short film powerfully examines how systems fail youth, offers inspiration

"Little April," a newly released short film, offers a powerful and inspiring twist on an unfortunate reality. It also provides a strong launch point...

Our Initiatives

Drive Change Through Survivor And Youth Leadership

NCYL convenes survivor leaders and engages with youth impacted by CSE to better understand the impact of exploitation, the challenges young people experience, and the services and supports they and their families need to meet their goals and thrive. Their voices drive every part of our work.

Transform The Legal Landscape To Recognize And Treat CSE As Child Abuse

NCYL partners with survivors leaders and key stakeholders to shift public perception, change laws, and secure funding to stop punishing people impacted by CSE.

Equip Community, Systems And Professionals To Provide Holistic, Youth-Centered Supports

NCYL is at the forefront of innovative policies and practices that support youth and families impacted by CSE. With this perspective and context, we partner closely with systems and community to help them invest in supportive responses to youth experiencing CSE.

Build System And Community Collaboration To Holistically Support Youth

Changing hearts, minds, culture, and policies to serve youth impacted by CSE requires multiple stakeholders to come together to grow awareness and create a coordinated response. NCYL convenes, leads and engages partners in collaborations that have the shared goal of supporting youth experiencing CSE

Related Events

Summer Series Kickoff with Keynote Speaker Atasi Uppal

June 9, 2023 - 1:00pm

Legal Advocacy & Impact Litigation

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Laws & Policy

See All Laws & Policy

Justice for Survivors (2021)

AB 124 (Kamlager)

AB 124 aims to support survivors of violence, including domestic violence and human trafficking, by providing trauma-informed charging, sentencing, and resentencing relief and trial advocacy considerations.

Enacted

Training Law Enforcement to Protect Sexually Exploited Children (2018)

AB 2992 (Daly)

This law requires law enforcement have the knowledge and skills needed to protect sexually exploited children.

Enacted

Decriminalization of Child Sex Trafficking Victims (2016)

SB 1322 (Mitchell)

With the passage of this law, California declared There's No Such Thing as a Child Prostitute.

Enacted

Related Resources

Understanding the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of LGBTQIA2S+

Better supporting LGBTQIA2S+ youth survivors of commercial sexual exploitation

New guide focuses on helping service providers build inclusive services and spaces for LGBTQIA2S+ youth who are impacted by sexual exploitation

Understanding the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Boys & Young Men

Improving supports for male survivors of sexual exploitation

New guide focuses on breaking down barriers to better identify and support boys and young men who have experienced sexual exploitation

How to Support Youth Impacted by Commercial Sexual Exploitation During Testimony

Find Guidance & Resources for Youth & Adults in the Victim Witness Testimony Protocol

A Guide to Implementing & Evaluating Services for Youth Experiencing Commercial Sexual Exploitation

Supporting the holistic needs of children and youth experiencing commercial sexual exploitation requires thoughtful collaboration and assessment among...

Dark blue report cover displaying title and authors in white text over light blue shapes

Reports

Strategies to End Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Youth: A toolkit for collaborative action

A practical how-to guide that offers best practices and learnings gleaned from our decade of working to address the commercial sexual exploitation of...

Where We Focus

National Center for Youth Law is committed to achieving large-scale, lasting change across multiple government systems and public agencies. Explore all the areas of our work to Center Youth.

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