Sexual Exploitation

Sexual exploitation can take many different forms, and you may be surprised to find out that it doesn’t always involve the exchange of sex for money. When we think of sexual exploitation we often think of things like prostitution and pornography, which are one part of sexual exploitation. It can also involve more understated things like the exchange of sexual favours for drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, food, a place to stay, or acceptance into a peer group. All of these practices can be demeaning, degrading, and often life-threatening to the youth who is involved.

Sexual exploitation of youth is against the law! In Canada, anyone under the age of 18 cannot consent to sell their body for sexual purposes. Sexual exploitation is a form of sexual abuse, and is never the fault of the young person involved.

What are the realities of sexual exploitation?

Who is at risk of being sexually exploited?

How does sexual exploitation start?

Why is it hard to leave the sex trade?

What is Internet exploitation?

Resources

What are the realities of sexual exploitation?

Sexually exploited youth can come from all different types of backgrounds. Sexually exploited youth can be found in every part of society: every group, culture, gender, and economic background. Sexual exploitation can begin in person or it can start as a relationship over the Internet.

Very few youth look like the stereotypical sex trade worker working on the street that most of us think of when we think of sexual exploitation. Because of this misunderstanding youth often do not recognize or acknowledge that they or one of their friends are being sexually exploited.

Sexual exploitation is not limited to the streets or big cities. Sexual exploitation happens in big cities and small communities. It can happen in massage parlors, karaoke bars, private homes, back alleys, truck stops and fishing boats.

Here are some of the realities of the sexual exploitation:

- Street Life is not glamorous.
- The “good” lifestyle doesn’t last for long, if at all.
- You often don’t get to keep the money you make.
- Drug and alcohol addiction are common.
- Physical and sexual violence can occur.
- You can be beaten, raped, and robbed.
- Minimal food, clothing, and shelter.
- Risk of diseases
- HIV/AIDS, herpes, and other STD’s.
- Emotional and mental health problems can occur.
- Both guys and girls can be involved in the sex trade and their experiences can be very different.

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Who is at risk of being sexually exploited?

Sexual exploitation can happen to anyone. There is no simple cause or explanation and many factors can influence why or how a youth becomes sexually exploited. There are however a number of factors that can influence a youth to enter into the sex trade.
Some of these factors include:

low self-esteem and self worth

a personal history of sexual, physical or emotional abuse or other trauma

feelings of insecurity or "not belonging"

a personal history of drug or alcohol abuse

media images

mental health issues

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome/Effect or learning disorders such as dyslexia or attention deficit disorder (ADD)

Socially isolated youth from indigenous and ethnic communities

Both girls and boys are sexually exploited in the sex trade.

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How does Sexual Exploitation start?

Youth can be lured into the sex trade by a number of ways. Youth may be "befriended" by an older person - usually a man - who poses as a boyfriend. This "boyfriend" is really a pimp, and intends to live off the earnings of the youth. The pimp showers the youth with compliments, gifts, or free drugs and alcohol and takes her/him to parties and other exciting events. The pimp gradually gains emotional - and sometimes physical - control over the young person, and manipulates or forces her/him to sell sex in order to pay for the gifts.

Alternatively, a youth may be "befriended" by someone her/his own age who is recruiting for a pimp. This street-wise recruiter gains the youth's trust, and entices her/him with gifts and stories of the exciting, glamorous life on the streets. Eventually the youth is introduced to the pimp and then the process described above happens.

Youth are approached by pimps and recruiters in any public place where youth tend to gather including schools and school grounds, bus loops and transit stations, group homes, social gathering places such as mall food fairs, coffee shops, pool halls, nightclubs, and raves.

Youth may also be recruited through the Internet. The Internet is an extremely powerful tool for pimps, recruiters and pedophiles who want to sexually abuse and exploit children and youth because "chat rooms" allow them to hide their identity and pose as friends.

Recruiters will often:

"Befriend" or seduce you

buy you gifts, pay you compliments, tell you they love you.

Try to lure you with promises of drugs, money, and the "good life" (material things).

Isolate you from your friends and family.

Make you feel guilty – "you owe me" or "if you really loved me…"

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Why is it hard to leave the Sex Trade?

The struggle for someone to leave a situation where a person is being sexually exploited is often more difficult than getting involved in the first place. It is difficult because youth face the challenge of coming to terms with their actions, making a major lifestyle change, leaving higher earnings for possible minimum wage jobs, and in many cases overcoming addictions.

In addition, many youth do not identify themselves as being involved in the sex trade, saying they use sex to obtain shelter, food, drugs or money and do not see a reason to exit.

Some common reasons why it is hard to leave a situation where you are being sexually exploited include:

Feelings of isolation and guilt.

Not having friends or support from your family.

Low self-confidence.

Self-conscious ­ feeling like everybody knows about your past.

Fearing for your safety.

Criminal Record ­ limits your future, choices, and abilities.

Here’s the truth:
It takes a lot of strength and courage to get off the street. If you, or someone you know is being sexually exploited, you should know that there are organizations out there that want to, and can help!

If you are worried about a friend or someone close to you here are some things to keep in mind:

Remember the situation is not anyone’s fault; avoid blaming your self or your friend

Remember that the simple things you do can make a difference

Be a good listener for your friend when they need to talk

Exiting the sex trade takes time and may even take several attempts, ­ be patient.

Be sure to take care of yourself and find your own supports, it can be difficult to support a friend through this process

Talk to a trusted adult to get support for you and your friend

If you want some help for yourself:

If you are being sexually exploited there are ways to get help and get out of the sex trade. Click here if you wanna talk to someone at the Crisis Centre, or check out the list of resources at the bottom of this page. There are people that want to help when you are ready.

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What is Internet exploitation?

The internet can be a great place to access information, chat, and make new online friends. The opportunity to be whoever we want to be is fun and creative. However, the ability to alter identities means that we may not always know whom we are talking to. So it is important to be careful.

Predators use internet chatting and message boards for something called "grooming". It's where they chat until they gain your trust. They may pretend to be the same age as you. They will often spend months doing this and eventually they'll try to make you do or say things that you don't want to. Sometimes you may be exposed to inappropriate language and ideas, such as explicit sexual talk. Other times, you may be sent obscene or indecent photos or images or be asked to send photos of yourself. These photos can be altered or used for child pornography (the distribution of illicit images of youth under the age of 18 is a criminal offence in Canada). In some cases, there is a request to meet in person. The intent may be to engage in some form of criminal activity, such as rape.

Consider your safety when chatting with others and use guidelines for safe chatting to help protect yourself.

How can I enjoy safe chatting?

Chatting is fun and something you can continue to do. Just remember a few important guidelines to help you stay aware and ensure your safety. Take a look at the 5 points below:

1) People on the internet might not be who they say they are. A person can claim to be any age or sex, and may claim to have similar interests, just to get your trust.

2) Don't give out personal info such as your phone number, address, school name, or home email provider unless you trust the person you are talking to or the site you are on. Some youth constantly change their online identity by using descriptive phrases, cartoon characters, etc., instead of their real names. It is also an option to use anonymous email services such as Hotmail and Yahoo.

3) Respect your friend's privacy. Just as you would not want your personal information all over the internet, respect that your friend's are entitled to privacy as well. Revealing information about your friends may put them in danger or may lead a predator to accessing more information about you.

4) Be careful when posting a profile in a chat room or sending photos online. Predators can use photos and profiles for inappropriate purposes such as child pornography. In some cases, photos can be used to blackmail youth. If this has happened to you, you may feel frightened or ashamed. You have done nothing wrong in trusting that someone was your friend. Tell a trusted adult about what has happened to help assure your safety and the safety of other youth.

If this has happened to you, you may feel frightened or ashamed. You have done nothing wrong in trusting that someone was your friend. Tell a trusted adult about what has happened to help assure your safety and the safety of other youth.

Using chats that are moderated by trained professionals/volunteers can help ensure that your information and the information of others are used safely and respectfully.

5) Be cautious about meeting face to face. Remember, you never know whom you are talking to and meeting that person may be very dangerous. There have been many reports of predators arranging to meet young people at malls, hotels, or even in their own home. They offer gifts of liquor, drugs, or money with the intention to sexually assault or even abduct the unsuspecting person.

If you are interested in more information on the dangers of face-to-face contact go to: www.chatdanger.com

Important! You are in control of how and whom you chat with. If someone makes you feel uncomfortable, click out of the conversation. If you feel pestered by an unwanted relationship, many web services allow you to block senders. Finally, if someone threatens to physically, emotionally, or sexually harm you, tell a trusted adult.

There are plenty of links in our Resources section where you can learn more about security features for safe and fun internet use as well as, more information about guidelines for responsible chatting.

Be careful and have fun!

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