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An alarming number of children are sexually exploited. It goes beyond the visible sex trade. There are many factors contributing to sexual exploitation. The Manitoba Strategy: reduce or stop the sexual exploitation of children. A Manitoba Strategy.
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An alarming number of children are sexually exploited. • It goes beyond the visible sex trade. • There are many factors contributing to sexual exploitation. • The Manitoba Strategy: reduce or stop the sexual exploitation of children.
A Manitoba Strategy Introduced at a community forum, Partnerships Toward Action, held March 4, 2003
Section One:Child Sexual Exploitation • The Issue • Perpetrators • Risks • Lures
Section Two:The Children • Listen • Signs • Myths • What to do
Section Three:The Response • Strategy • Conclusion
The Issue:Sexual Exploitation of Children Through Prostitution “The act of coercing, luring or engaging a child under the age of 18 into a sexual act, or involvement in the sex trade or pornography, with or without the child’s consent, in exchange for money, drugs, shelter, food, or protection or other necessities.”
Child Abuse Manitoba’s Child and Family Services Act defines abuse as an act or omission by any person which results in: • physical injury to the child, • emotional disability of a permanent nature or which is likely to result in such disability, or • sexual exploitation of a child with or without the child’s consent.
Child Abuse Sexual exploitation of children through prostitution is child abuse.
Terms like “child” or “juvenile” prostitution should no longer be used It is not a victimless crime. These children are being sexually exploited – a form of child sexual abuse. People who do this can be charged with a criminal offence. The children are victims, not criminals.
Children Exploited through Prostitution Sexually exploited children who come in contactwith the justice system should not be charged. Instead they need: • referrals to supportive programs, and • assistance to deal with the circumstances that contributed to their sexual exploitation.
The contributing factors of sexual exploitation are complex and include: • past trauma and abuses; • family conflicts and breakdowns; • poverty and homelessness; • racism, sexism, marginalization; • peer pressure; • gang involvement; • isolation; • poor support systems; • untreated or non-compliance with treatment for neurological or mental illness disorders; • lack of consequences for offenders.
Sexual exploitation can result in: • involvement with the child welfare system and the criminal justice system, • general health issues, • academic difficulties, • substance abuse, • early pregnancy, • mental health issues, • injury, • death.
pimps gangs recruiters johns friends parents siblings cousins drug dealers boyfriends husbands partners Children are lured by:
Jane RunnerNew Directions for Children, Youth, Adults and Families
Where does it happen? • pornography • visible street activity • behind closed doors
professor teacher coach doctor lawyer community leader athlete priest elder businessman welfare recipient physician chiropractor truck driver sales clerk actor welder volunteer day care provider relative The perpetrator can be anyone:
Pimps and Recruiters Pimps and recruiters prey on vulnerability, taking the time they need to lure a child into a life on the streets or a downward self-destructive spiral.
The Statistics • The average starting age is 13 ½ years. • Forty-four per cent (44%) of youth remain involved for at least two years.
The Statistics Of those who are exploited: • 86% are runaway or homeless children; • 70% are children of Aboriginal ancestry; • 68% are children who have been sexually abused; • most have less than a grade 8 education; • 400 per year in Winnipeg become prey to the visible sex trade; • hundreds more become prey to other predators. (Ndaawin Protecting Children)
Who’s at risk? It can happen to anyone.
Common Risk Factors • low self-esteem • previous childhood abuse • Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders or Attention Deficit Disorder • racism • lack of access to family or friends • lack of pride in “who you are” • multiple child welfare placements (family, residential, foster)
Jane RunnerNew Directions for Children, Youth, Adults and Families
Common Lures • Would you like some candy or chocolate? I have lots of it in my car. • Would you like to earn some money? I’ll give you $50.
Common Lures • My daughter is in your class. Would you like to come to her birthday party? We’ve got lots of cake and ice cream. • Hey, why don’t you come over to a place I know? There are these guys there who let you do anything you want to.… (usually a child/youth recruiter)
The Ndaawin manual Protecting Children is a good resource to guide discussions with children about these lures
Listen to the Children Children are teachers. They bring their messages in a variety of ways. We need to pay attention to the signs they give us.
Early Warning Signs • sexual activities with toys or other children • physical and emotional withdrawal from homeand family • extreme mood swings (ex: depressed, suicidal or “high/happy” followed by angry outbursts)
Signs • secretive and reserved • withdrawn • telling lies • confrontational
Signs • bringing home new and expensive clothing or trinkets with explanations that do not add up (ex: “It’s my friend’s.”) • unexplained money (ex: frequently going out to expensive restaurants)
Behaviour • suddenly become secretive about activities • become very protective of boyfriend • change eating habits • look for other places to live • pack clothes when going out
Physical Signs • more provocative or outlandish clothing • wearing gang colours • sexualized behavior • bruises • change in hygiene practices
Language • slang, mannerisms (streetwise talk) • disconnected speech • use label or nicknames for friends and self
Signs of Escalated Involvement • drug-associated objects (cans with holes, burnt knives, twisted spoons, rolling papers) • a cell phone or pager • long distance charges • calls at strange hours, hang-ups if someone else answers • business cards, matchbook covers with phone numbers written on them • weapons • many condoms
Myth You will wear nice clothes and look like a model. Reality You will wear what you are told to wear. When it is raining or cold outside, you still have to wear provocative clothing. You will not have money to buy clothes you want to wear.
Myth You will make lots of money. Reality You will be living hand-to-mouth and any money you make will be used to feed your addiction or given to your pimp.
Myth You have the choice to say “yes” or “no” to tricks. Reality When you become hooked on drugs, or controlled by a pimp, there is no choice; you need the money. You will be beaten if you don’t perform.
Myth You will find a “street family” where everybody’s great and really friendly. Reality Life on the streets is not one big happy family. Violence from pimps and johns and between sex trade workers is commonplace. Girls compete with one another to be the pimp’s “main girl.”
Myth Your “boyfriend” really loves you. He’s not in it for himself. Reality A pimp is neither a father nor a lover. He is financially and sexually exploiting you. He will take total control of your life.
Myth Your pimp or a wonderful customer will marry you. You won’t end up doing this for the rest of your life. Reality Once you’re on the street, no one will save you but yourself. There are resources and services you can access if you want out.
Myth Pornography is not that bad. It’s not like you’re being abused. Reality Many youth are recruited into prostitution through pornography. They are often abused and controlled by a pimp. You will have no control over who sees the videos, magazines and computer network photos.
Myth People choose to work in prostitution. Reality It’s a choice for survival.
