Thursday, 4:30 PM
Officials pledge to fight a rise in child prostitution
By Charles A. Radin, Globe Staff
More than 30 public and private agencies joined today in a coalition to try counter child and teen prostitution, a problem Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley described as "the nation's least recognized epidemic."
Conley and other state, federal and community officials gathered at the Family Justice Center of Boston on Commonwealth Avenue to sign a document committing to a series of steps intended to curb the number of young people that are exploited.
"Child prostitution is trending upward," said Boston Police Superintendent Margo Hill. "Technology has helped. Cell phones have taken a lot of it inside. Gang affiliations (with prostitution) also are disturbing."
Until 2001, prostitution was not reported as a form of child abuse. Between 2001 and 2003, seven cases of child abuse involving prostitution were reported in the state. In the past two years, however, there have been more than 100 cases, according to Sue Goldfarb, executive director of Children’s Advocacy Center of Suffolk County.
The pledge the agencies took today calls any suspected child prostitution cases to be immediately referred to the Department of Social Services and the district attorney's office, following the protocol for other forms of child abuse. The document the representatives signed also calls for treatment and services for the young victim’s emotional and physical well-being.
