Child sexual abuse continues to be an epidemic:

 

• 1 in 5 girls and 1 in 20 boys is a victim of child sexual abuse

• Children are most vulnerable to CSA between the ages of 7 and 13.

 

The research also indicates that vulnerable children and adolescents such as abused and neglected children are more likely to be victimized by sexual predators.

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First Star Institute encourages society to utilize the many avenues to work towards eradicating this epidemic, including civil and criminal penalties, background screening and oversight of those working with children, public outreach, education and training focused on those who may be able to assist victims, and age-appropriate child empowerment and education.Our current sexual abuse project is aimed at arming lawyers for children with updated information to better serve their child clients.

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REPORT PUBLISHED Advancing Collaboration to Respond to Child Sex Trafficking -- A cross systems collaborative approach that engages and incorporates knowledge from a network of partners is essential to effectively respond to Child Sex Trafficking. First Star Institute's report examines the role that child attorneys, guardians ad litem and lay volunteers can play in ensuring that trafficked children receive the help they need.

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