Ellen Wright Clayton, the Craig Weaver Professor of Pediatrics, professor of law and director of the Center for Biomedical Ethics and Society at Vanderbilt University, has been appointed to the Institute of Medicine's (IOM) Committee on Commercial Sexual Exploitation and Sex Trafficking of Minors in the United States.
The committee is charged with examining the scope and severity of commercial sexual exploitation of children and sex trafficking of U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents who are under age 18. The committee will also explore the causes and consequences of commercial sexual exploitation of children or sex trafficking victims and offenders, including the role of child welfare and juvenile justice systems. Members will also study efforts in human services, health care and law enforcement to prevent sex trafficking of minors and to intervene with victims and offenders and assess the adequacy of current state and federal laws addressing commercial sexual exploitation of children and sex trafficking of domestic minors.
Dr. Clayton was asked to serve on the committee by IOM President Harvey V. Fineberg. The committee will deliver a report to the Institute of Medicine in August 2013.