Criminological strategies for the prevention of criminal offences and the reduction of victim risks

Human trafficking for commercial sexual exploitation severely affects those in highly vulnerable situations, stemming from factors such as organized crime, gender-based violence, corruption, poverty, and high levels of impunity. This situation is particularly delicate in tourism settings, where the main victims are women, both adults and minors. Illegal pornography and forced prostitution are incidents that must be reported and investigated, requiring the joint work of the public and private sectors, seeking to prevent, identify, address, and eradicate these scourges. This work, developed from the perspective of criminal and social sciences, aims to contribute to the design and implementation of criminological strategies for the prevention of commercial sexual exploitation of children and adolescents (CSEC), as well as for the reduction of victim risks. It takes as an example the case of Mexico, internationally considered a country with a high incidence of sexual tourism, whose successes and areas of opportunity can be used in future comparative studies. It is concluded that there is a need to create or improve legal instruments that oblige individuals and legal entities providing transportation and lodging services to report any suspected criminal activity and to display preventive materials.