Open your eyes to these exploitation realities

•  Sexual exploitation happens both to males and females. The first study on young males in the sex trade in Canada found males experience the same levels of violence as females in the sex trade (Sue McIntyre, Under the Radar: The Sexual Exploitation of Young Men, 2005).

•  Perpetrators are not always older and they aren’t always men.  Increasingly, experts warn that young people, sometimes young women, are acting as recruiters. These recruiters seek out vulnerable people online, at school, at the mall, or anywhere young people gather. They offer friendship and understanding, and often drugs. They gain the trust of the person, and then lure, coerce or force them into sexually exploitive activities.

•  Exploiters aren’t always strangers. Many sexually exploited youth were first exploited by family members or trusted adults.

•  It isn’t glamorous, and it isn’t about personal choice. In most cases, sexually exploited youth have no other economic choice, or have been tricked, trapped or forced into doing so. Some are lured by a longing for affection, or through a combination of threats and drugs. If they become addicted, they have another need they have to meet. None of that adds up to a free choice. 

•  Sexual exploitation harms young people. It impacts all aspects of their lives.

-Physical Harm:

•           Injuries from sex or beatings
•           STDs including HIV/AIDS
•           Pregnancy
•           Drug abuse and addiction
•           Lack of access to medical care

-Emotional/Psychosocial Damage

•           Interruption in education
•           Impairment of psychological development
•           Long-term trauma, fear
•           Social isolation, ostracism
•           Corrupted dreams for the future
•           Negative treatment by society

•  Young people who have been exploited are not “lost causes”. Most want the same things other youth do – a secure job, a safe place to live and options for a healthy, happy future. They need the same things to achieve this: education, training, job search assistance, work experience and a chance to succeed.

•  PREVENTION EDUCATION is key to ending exploitation. The Canadian Red Cross offers programs for children, youth, adults and organizations. Young people learn about all forms of abuse, their rights to be healthy, safe and control their own bodies, and how to get help. Adults and organizations learn about abuse, exploitation, harassment and violence, why and how they happen and how to create safer environments and protect children.

Learn more about these programs and how to access them here.

What matters to you? Have your say! Check out redcrossyouth.ca