Texas Child Protection Law Bench Book

2024 version: As effective October 1, 2024

G. ICPC and Victims of Commercial Sexual Exploitation

The ICPC may be implicated in trying to place victims in the few facilities that can provide the extensive services needed for survivors of the commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC). As the needs of this population can be complex, only a limited number of residential institutions can provide this high level of care. Services for victims often require multi-systemic and long-term care, and the cost of housing a child in a residential facility can be expensive. Additionally, the operation of residential facilities is legally and practically complicated, and unfeasible for many counties. Thus, CSEC victims may not have a variety of placements which fit their needs, forcing placing agencies to look outside the home state. There are various organizations that also recommend victims be removed from the original geographic area of exploitation during restorative services. There are only a handful of facilities throughout the country that specifically provide placement and services for victims of commercial sexual exploitation.