Commercial and sexual exploitation of children and young people in the UK—a review

Abstract

This paper reviews recent information and data relevant to the commercial sexual exploitation of children and young people in the UK. Three main aspects of exploitation are addressed: abuse through prostitution; abuse through pornography; and the trafficking of children and young people to and through the UK for the purposes of commercial sexual exploitation. Most published research in this area relates to young people exploited through prostitution. The review explores the range of vulnerability factors, the processes used to engage young people in prostitution and the types of support strategies for those being exploited. Rather less information is currently available on the scale of child pornography, or the links between the use of pornography and other forms of sexual abuse. The internet as a modern technology for proliferating child pornography is discussed, alongside its role in providing opportunities for paedophiles to access and 'groom' children for sexual purposes. Finally, the review provides a summary of research on trafficking of children to and through the UK for the purposes of commercial sexual exploitation and demonstrates the limited knowledge about this topic.

Correlates of the Sex Trade among African–American Youth Living in Urban Public Housing: Assessing the Role of Parental Incarceration and Parental Substance Use

“…Although, previous research has examined this issue, 8,9 most of this research has focused on runaway or street youth or youth in international settings. [10][11][12] This research has produced invaluable knowledge; however, research on trading sex for money among urban youth who have lost a parent to prison or drug addiction is scarce. This paper is timely and relevant given the mass incarceration within the urban African-American community.…”

Trading sex: Voluntary or coerced? The experiences of homeless youth

“…Given these negative outcomes, it is important to understand the circumstances surrounding trading sex among homeless youth in order to inform case workers and service providers who may be able to intervene before this becomes a way of life. Although there has been a wealth of international research on the commercial sexual exploitation of young people in recent years (Barnitz, 1998;Burgos et al, 2003;Chase & Statham, 2005;Kaufman & Stavrou, 2004), the current study is based only on the experiences of homeless youth in the United States. This study addresses questions related to the circumstances under which youth in the U.S. engage in trading sex.…”

Child and Adolescent Commercial Sexual Exploitation in Mexico: The Exploiters and the State

“…Their targets are often children and young women who, among other vulnerability factors, live in poverty, have been sexually abused (Acharya, 2010;Azaola, 2006;Carro & Treguear, 1997;Chase & Statham, 2005;Goldenberg et al, 2015;Negrete, 1998;Scoppetta Díaz & Rodríguez Cruz, 2006), grew up in dysfunctional families (Pérez, 1995;Reyes, 2007;United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund, 2001), or have been victims of family violence (Estes & Weiner, 2001;Goldenberg et al, 2015;Reyes, 2007;United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund & Inter-Parliamentary Union, 2005).…”