Child Sexual Exploitation: A Cross-Cultural Analysis of Risk Factors and Protective Strategies

Child sexual exploitation (CSE) is a critical public health issue that infringes upon children's rights and well-being. Despite more pronounced societal recognition, it remains underreported and inadequately addressed in research, thus obscuring the full scale of its prevalence, drivers, and consequences for young victims. Recent studies have begun to map out the intricate network of social, economic, and psychological factors that contribute to CSE. However, there is still considerable debate about the most effective strategies for prevention and remediation. This situation spotlights the considerable need for focused research that can advance protective policies and interventions specifically tailored to children's health.

This Research Topic aims to dissect the complexities of CSE and advance comprehensive, evidence-based measures for its prevention and for the support of its victims, with a particular focus on enhancing child health and safety. Objectives include understanding risk factors specific to different child demographics, evaluating the effectiveness of existing protective and intervention measures, and investigating the psychological and societal aftermath endured by child victims. The goal is also to devise tangible solutions for recovery and reintegration, addressing both immediate welfare and long-term health outcomes.

To deepen our commitment to child health in the context of CSE, we invite contributions that cover but are not limited to the following areas:

- Studies on the recovery processes and health outcomes for young survivors
- Identification of existing research voids concerning child-focused responses to CSE
- Analysis of risk factors and protective measures relevant to child demographics
- Evaluation of intervention and prevention programs specifically designed for children
- Assessment of the role of digital environments in the safety or endangerment of children
- Scrutiny of legal and policy frameworks through a child health lens

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Classification
• Clinical Trial
• Community Case Study
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Classification
• Clinical Trial
• Community Case Study
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Policy Brief
• Review
• Study Protocol
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Risk Factors, Child Rights, Psychological Impact, Technology's Role, Cross-Cultural Studies, CSE, Child Sexual Exploitation

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.