Sexuality Topics

Sexual Exploitation

As you read through the case example, consider the following questions.

• How did you react to the example? Why do you think you reacted that way?
• If this was your client, what would be the most important discussion points?
• What  additional information do you need to respond to the case example?

Well, now I don’t know what to do. I’m pretty sure I’m pregnant and that would be ok…after all, my partner and I weren’t using condoms. We didn’t have to cuz I ALWAYS used them with my dates at work and having a baby would be so nice. But now, he says it probably isn’t even his and he called me a whore and slut and everything! He never complained about my work before when it was MY money buying him smokes and jackets and stuff. He’s soooo mad…what if he tells my worker and then they’ll pseca me?!? If I don’t work, how on earth can I buy baby stuff?

DEFINITIONS

Sexual Exploitation: is the sexual abuse of children and youth who are under the age of majority (18 year old in Alberta but does vary by province) through the exchange of sex and/or sexual acts for drugs, food, shelter, protection, other basics of life and/or money. This includes creation or viewing of pornography, sexually explicit images or sexually explicit websites (Justice Institute of BC, 2008).

Human Trafficking: involves the recruitment, transportation, and/or harboring of a person for the purpose of exploitation, typically for sexual exploitation or forced labor. It is sometimes confused with human smugglings which is the procurement of illegal entry into a country for the purpose of material benefit (Department of Justice Canada, 2009).

Sex Trade/Sex Work: an umbrella term for any activity involving sex work and includes activities in which sex is exchanged for money or goods (AIDS Calgary, 2008-2011).

LEGAL RAMIFICATIONS

Both sexual exploitation and human trafficking are against the law and those who commit such offenses are subject to prosecution under various sections of the Criminal Code of Canada. Additional charges may be laid if assault, kidnapping, confinement, threats, extortion, etc. are used.

Sex work (also called prostitution) is legal in Canada if the worker is over the age of 18. However, the following four sex work related activities are addressed in the Criminal Code of Canada:

• It is illegal to occupy or keep a place (bawdy house) for the purpose of prostitution, even if the primary purpose of the place is not prostitution
• It is illegal to take or direct a person to a bawdy house
• It is illegal to obtain (procure) prostitution services or live on the avails of prostitution (use the money that is made)
• It is illegal to communicate for the purpose of prostitution

(Canada HIV/AIDS Legal Network, 2005)

SEXUAL EXPLOITATION AND YOUTH

The laws in Canada regarding the age of consent for sexual activity and sex work are clear.

The age of consent to sexual activity in Canada is 16 except:

• 12-13 year olds can consent to sexual activity if a partner is within 2 years of age
• 14-15 year olds can consent to sexual activity if a partner is within 5 years of age
• No one under 18 can consent to sexual activity with a partner in a position of authority
• No one under 18 can consent to sexual exploitative acts such as pornography & prostitution (see above)

In Alberta there is additional legislation to address the sexual abuse and exploitation of children – Protection of Sexually Exploited Children Act (PSECA).

This legislation clarifies that children and youth involved in sexual exploitation are victims of sexual abuse and have the right to safety and protection. This legislation incorporates specific penalties for individuals who solicit or encourage children to be involved in prostitution. PSECA also provides community programming for children and youth who voluntarily choose to end their involvement in prostitution and confined treatment for youth who refuse to end their involvement and continue to be at risk of harm through involvement in sexual exploitation.

If you suspect that a youth in the Calgary area is being sexually exploited, you can telephone the child protection line at 403.297.2995. Outside of the Calgary area, please contact your local Child and Family Services Authority.

STATISTICS

In Alberta, the average age of entry into the sex trade is 15.6 years. Some children begin as young as age 10 (Government of Alberta, 2004). It is estimated that individuals less than 18 years of age represent approximately 10-12% of the sex trade population. Females are over represented in the sex trade with a ratio of nine to one. That said, male sex work activities are typically underreported (Government of Alberta, 2004).

RISK FACTORS

All youth are vulnerable to sexual exploitation. However, common risk factors include coming from a broken or dysfunctional home, childhood physical or sexual abuse, low self esteem, racism, poverty, running away from home, loneliness, poor academic performance, problems at school, addictions to substances such as alcohol or drugs, and/or turmoil over sexual orientation (Government of Alberta, 2004; Government of Manitoba, n.d.; UNBC Task Force on Substance Abuse, n.d.).

For more information, see Protection of Sexually Exploited Children and Youth.

WARNING SIGNS

Some warning signs that a youth may be sexually exploited include:

• Being emotionally and physically withdrawn from the home and family
• Being secretive
• Being confrontational or aggressive
• Telling lies
• Having unexplained money
• Wearing more provocative clothing
• Change in nutrition habits
• Change in peer group that may include older youth from different schools or in the community
• Having bruises
• Having a pager or a cell phone
• Having drug paraphernalia
• Skipping school
• Drop in school grades
• Engagement in abusive language or behaviour

(Government of Alberta, 2004; Government of Manitoba, n.d.)

For more information, see
Protection of Sexually Exploited Children and Youth (.PDF) (Government of Alberta, 2004)

Healthy Sexuality: A Training and Education Resource about Children and Youth Sexually Exploited through Prostitution (Government of Manitoba, n.d.)

IMPACT ON YOUTH

Commonly reported outcomes of youth sexual exploitation include substance abuse, poorer health, early school drop-out and exposure to violence (Government of Alberta, 2004; UNBC Task Force on Substance Abuse, n.d.).

In terms of sexual health, sex workers are at risk for pregnancy, STI and HIV. Sex workers are at risk because of their high numbers of sexual partners, their use of substances such as drugs and alcohol and their lack of access to social and health services (Public Health Agency of Canada, 2010). The use of condoms varies among those involved in the sex trade. Often times the use or non-use of condoms is dictated by the customer. Customers often reject the use of condoms or offer to pay more for condomless sex (Rekart, 2005).

Regular STI testing is also important as it can facilitate early treatment and reduce transmission. In females, untreated gonorrhea and chlamydia infections, can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which is an inflammation of the internal female reproductive organs. PID may lead to chronic pelvic pain, ectopic pregnancy, or infertility. Untreated gonorrhea and chlamydia infections can put males at risk of testicular infections and in rare cases infertility. Additionally, having these STI increases a person’s risk for spreading or getting HIV infection.

For more information see STI & Blood Borne Pathogens

STRATEGIES

(a) Prevention: Prevention strategies target higher risk youth prior to their involvement in sex work. Prevention approaches typically address systemic issues such as poverty, racism and abuse. These types of programs necessitate a multi-dimensional strategy including education, community support and structural change (UNBC Task Force on Substance Abuse, n.d.).

(b) Harm Reduction: Harm reduction is a philosophy whereby the primary goal is to reduce risk related to a way of living (Raise the Roof, 2009). Harm reduction approaches include:

• Sexuality education
• Sexual and reproductive health outreach including STI testing and/or treatment
• Hepatitis B vaccinations
• “Bad date” data bases
• Food vans
• Providing information about community services and resources
• Needle exchange programs
• Temporary safe housing
• Peer education (e.g., peers educate one another regarding safer sex practices)

(Rekhart, 2005; UNBC Task Force on Substance Abuse, n.d.)

In Calgary, Shift is a wonderful example of a program that uses a harm reduction approach with adults involved in sex work. Shift endeavours to: create safer working conditions (e.g., educates regarding harm reduction, provides outreach to sex workers, supplies updated “Bad Date Sheets”); provide skills training/education opportunities (e.g., partners with and refers workers to skill development programs); and provide prevention and advocacy (e.g., provides legal assistance, provides safer sex supplies).

For more information on Shift, call: 403.237.8171, or visit: www.shiftcalgary.org

(c) Crisis Intervention: Crisis intervention involves the provision of immediate support to deal with a crisis during street work. Some approaches include mental health and medical care, treatment for substance abuse, counselling, and 24 hour drop in centers (UNBC Task Force on Substance Abuse, n.d.).

(d) Assistance Leaving the Sex Trade: Leaving sex work is difficult for youth. Therefore providing support for youth to exit the sex trade safely is paramount. Approaches which help youth to leave the sex trade include training programs, safe long term housing, and legal and financial support (UNBC Task Force on Substance Abuse, n.d.).

For more information about sexual exploitation in Canada and Alberta, see:
http://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/dept-min/clp/faq.html
http://www.child.alberta.ca/home/590.cfm