NCJ Number
199804
Date Published
August 2002
Length
80 pages
Annotation
This document discusses a study on the youth sexual exploitation trade in Calgary (Canada).
Abstract
Previous research was conducted with 50 young people that primarily entered the trade during adolescence. The goal of that study was to establish that most of the youth interviewed entered the trade under the age of 18 and that there was a predominance of a history of sexual abuse before the street. In the current study, interviews were conducted with 38 individuals, 28 of whom had been participants in the previous study. The interviews were held to collect their thoughts on the entrance, time in, attempts, and successful departures out of the trade. Some characteristics from the respondents from this study were: (1) males entered the trade at age 12 years while females entered the trade at 15 years; (2) males averaged 12 years in the trade while females averaged 6 years; (3) 82 percent of the females had a background of sexual abuse prior to the street; and (4) 100 percent of the males had a background of sexual abuse prior to the street. Everyone left the business more than once. An overwhelming number of youth were prompted to leave the trade because of the violence experienced in the street. Money was a prime motivator to return to the street. Leaving the street was challenging because of lack of support, lack of self worth, a perception that it was too risky to exit, and boredom. Enough was enough was a key reason for exiting. Family or a support system was identified as important for individuals leaving the street. The entire research population saw prostitution as something no one should do. The likelihood of returning to the street was always a possibility even if it was a short-term solution to earn quick money. Individuals were self sufficient while in the trade, however they departed with both physical and emotional scars. While services are provided to individuals that are on the street, there is little long-term assistance for the exiting process. Saving or hiding money, intensive cleansing, and disassociation during sexual activity were identified as rituals. 2 appendices, bibliography, glossary