About sexual exploitation

Definition of the phenomenon of sexual exploitation:

Sexual exploitation is a complex problem, particularly because of the various contexts in which it can occur (prostitution environment, erotic massage parlour, nude dancers’ bar, etc.) and the criminal activities that can be associated with it (pimping, human trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation, payment for sexual services, etc.).

Through its many forms, sexual exploitation generally involves a situation, context or relationship where one person takes advantage of another person’s state of vulnerability or dependence, or the existence of unequal power relations, in order to use that person’s body for sexual purposes, with a view to obtaining some type of advantage from it, whether monetary, social or personal, such as sexual gratification or any other form of exploitation.¹

1. Secrétariat à la condition féminine (SCF). (2016). Stratégie gouvernementale pour prévenir et contrer les violences sexuelles (Government strategy to prevent and combat sexual violence) (2016-2021).

Sexual exploitation leaves its victims with physical, psychological and social scars.

Did you know that the average age of first involvement in prostitution is between 14 and 15 years of age, and that nearly 80% of prostitutes in Canada started as minors?¹

Sexual exploitation is “sexual abuse of minors – under the age of 18 – that involves a business transaction.⁹

However, our young people are not merchandise.

There are many psychological consequences:^{1# 1
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Conseil du statut de la femme (CSF). (2012). La prostitution, il est temps d’agir.}^,^{2# 2
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Durocher, L., Fleury, E., Berthiaume, P., et Moïse, J. (2002). La prostitution juvénile, quoi de neuf ? Défi Jeunesse, 9(1), 23–30.}^,^{3# 3
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Flowers, R. B. (2001). Runaway Kids and Teenage Prostitution : America’s Lost, Abandonned, and Sexually Exploited Children. Westport, CT : Greenwood Press.}^,^{4# 4
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Fortin, S. et Fournier, I. (2006). Prostitution juvénile – Portrait des jeunes suivis au Centre jeunesse de Québec. Centre jeunesse de Québec.}^,^{5# 5
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Hanigan, P. (1992). La jeunesse en difficulté : comprendre pour mieux intervenir. Québec : Les Presses de l’Université du Québec.}

Desensitization to affection, sexuality and intimacy
Disregard for one’s own body
Decreased self-esteem
Isolation and withdrawal
Post-traumatic stress symptoms ^{6# 6
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Farley, M. Cotton, A., Lynne, J., Zumbeck, S., Spiwak, F., Reyes, M. E., Alvarez, D., Sezgin, U. (2003). Prostitution & Trafficking in Nine Countries : An Update on Violence and PostTraumatic Stress Disorder. Dans Prostitution, Trafficking and Traumatic Stress, The Haworth Press, p. 33-74.}
Personality disorders
Eating disorders
Suicide attempts and suicide
Distancing and decorporalization processes (numbness to pain) ^{7# 7
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Trinquart, J. (2010). « La santé des personnes prostituées », dans Prostitution : une seule option, l’abolition! Actes des colloques organisés par le Mouvement du Nid-France de mai 2009 à février 2010. Publication Mouvement du Nid, France.}

Subject to substantial violence

“Numerous studies show that violence is the norm in prostitution, not the exception.”^{1# 1
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Conseil du statut de la femme (CSF). (2012). La prostitution, il est temps d’agir.}
^{Among 100 respondents in Canada, 67% had been threatened with a weapon; 91% had been physically assaulted; 76% had been raped at least once while in prostitution, and 67% of those raped had been raped more than five times. 6# 6
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Farley, M. Cotton, A., Lynne, J., Zumbeck, S., Spiwak, F., Reyes, M. E., Alvarez, D., Sezgin, U. (2003). Prostitution & Trafficking in Nine Countries : An Update on Violence and PostTraumatic Stress Disorder. Dans Prostitution, Trafficking and Traumatic Stress, The Haworth Press, p. 33-74.}
63% of the violence inflicted was by a pimp. ^{8# 8
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Service du renseignement criminel du Québec (SRCQ). (2013). Portrait provincial du proxénétisme et de la traite des personnes. Gouvernement du Québec.}

Many physical risks ^{2# 2
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Durocher, L., Fleury, E., Berthiaume, P., et Moïse, J. (2002). La prostitution juvénile, quoi de neuf ? Défi Jeunesse, 9(1), 23–30.
, 3# 3
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Flowers, R. B. (2001). Runaway Kids and Teenage Prostitution : America’s Lost, Abandonned, and Sexually Exploited Children. Westport, CT : Greenwood Press.
, 4# 4
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Fortin, S. et Fournier, I. (2006). Prostitution juvénile – Portrait des jeunes suivis au Centre jeunesse de Québec. Centre jeunesse de Québec.
, 5# 5
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Hanigan, P. (1992). La jeunesse en difficulté : comprendre pour mieux intervenir. Québec : Les Presses de l’Université du Québec.}

Nearly 50% of adolescent prostitutes have been pregnant at least once and 20% have been pregnant twice or more.^{3# 3
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Flowers, R. B. (2001). Runaway Kids and Teenage Prostitution : America’s Lost, Abandonned, and Sexually Exploited Children. Westport, CT : Greenwood Press.}
Sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections (STBBI) ^{3# 3
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Flowers, R. B. (2001). Runaway Kids and Teenage Prostitution : America’s Lost, Abandonned, and Sexually Exploited Children. Westport, CT : Greenwood Press.
, 5# 5
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Hanigan, P. (1992). La jeunesse en difficulté : comprendre pour mieux intervenir. Québec : Les Presses de l’Université du Québec.}
Pelvic peritonitis
General exhaustion
Early aging
Headaches
Digestive problems
Skin problems
Malnutrition

Getting out of it is possible.

Many people have been affected by sexual exploitation, either directly or through their loved ones. Here are ressources to help you along your path.

We invite you to consult our various sections to find out about these resources.