Measuring Deterrence for Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children in Maharashtra

India remains a major hotspot for commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC), a crime that is becoming increasingly hidden. Prevalence data is challenging to obtain and estimates are speculative; several entities have sized the population of victims in India between 300,000 to 600,000, which is more than anywhere else in the world.

GFEMS has commissioned a two-part study to measure and track deterrence among CSEC stakeholders in Maharashtra. The study has been operationalized in areas of intervention where two prominent anti-trafficking organizations have been administering rule of law activities.

Main Research Questions

• What is criminal deterrence and how do you define it in the context of CSEC?
• To what extent do we see the relevant and necessary external conditions in place to serve as the basis for deterrence?
• To what extent are criminals and potential criminals aware of these external conditions? What are their perceptions and attitudes related to these conditions?
• To what extent have these external conditions deterred criminals and potential criminals from CSEC? What evidence is available?

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This research was funded by a grant from the US Department of State. The opinions, findings and conclusions stated herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the United States Department of State.