Commercial Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse of Children

United Nations ESCAP
HRD Section

Commercial Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse of Children

Introduction

Although commercial sexual exploitation and sexual abuse of children are illegal in most countries of the world, they are nevertheless common practices. Commercial sexual exploitation of children through trafficking across borders and within countries for purposes of prostitution and pornography occurs largely in the big towns and tourist areas, but it also exists in smaller towns and rural areas. While all children, especially girls, are at risk, those living in poverty, those who have been abandoned or sexually abused, street children, domestic servants, the disabled, refugees and others affected by armed conflict are much more vulnerable. On the other hand, all children are vulnerable to sexual abuse, and there appears to be no regional or ethnic bias in the distribution of this sexual offence against children. Figures of reported sexual abuse of children show that the majority of the victims come from poor families, a finding that has led authorities to associate sexual abuse of children with social disadvantage. However, this is probably the result of themanner of disclosure, and the extent of sexual abuse among the more advantaged may be effectively concealed.

The rape of a child by a stranger is the rarest form of sexual abuse. Children are most at risk from those living with them, related to them or acquainted with them.

There are no accurate data on the number of sexually exploited and abused children per year (incidence) and the proportion of children affected (prevalence) in specific countries. The number of children engaged in prostitution worldwide is currently estimated at 10 million, and an additional 1 million are reported to enter the sex trade annually. The current number of children exploited in child pornography cannot be estimated, but indications are that it is a growing problem in many developing countries. Although the above figures are used widely, the methodology used to calculate the estimates is not known. The data seems to be derived from estimates provided by government and non-governmental organization sources in various countries. In some instances, the estimates are based on the number of children rescued from brothels during police raids.

The actual number of sexually abused children is equally difficult to determine with accuracy because of the secrecy surrounding the subject in all societies. The recorded cases of child sexual abuse are believed to be lower than the actual incidence because of failures to report the abuse.(1) Many authorities on the subject report that the pressure on victims to remain silent or to retract their stories is heavy, and threats of violence are not uncommon.

Commercial sexual exploitation and abuse of children greatly affect the health and development of the children involved as well as those of their offspring. The limited information available on health aspects is concentrated on the direct effects of sexual experiences. However, equally important is information on the circumstances leading to the exploitation and abuse and the long term and intergenerational effects. The direct effects of sexual exploitation and abuse are injury resulting from accidents and physical abuse, pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases as well as affective, personality and organic mental disorders.

Although sexual exploitation and abuse of children have long existed, the issues have remained hidden and rarely appear in statistics on child health in developing countries. In recent years, the problem of sexual exploitation of children has come into sharp focus. This is partly due to the outbreak of the AIDS pandemic as well as the growing body of evidence to suggest that child prostitution is on the increase worldwide. Child rights groups and religious groups have raised fundamental questions regarding the causes, the exploiters and methods of recruitment, the effects on the children and appropriate interventions. They have intervened in communities to prevent more children from being recruited, and they have rescued and cared for those already trapped in the commercial sex industry. This focus has largely been translated into preventive and rehabilitation programmes rather than research, and few systematic studies have been undertaken with a view to understanding the phenomenon and evolving strategies to combat it based on that knowledge. Moreover, caregivers have not received adequate training to enable them to address the needs of victims of sexual exploitation and their families.

Sexual abuse of children in developing countries has received little attention owing to the sensitive nature of the subject, and the little that is known is based on anecdotal reports rather than detailed investigation. Much more research needs to be done on the antecedents and consequences of sexual abuse, on possible connections with child pornography and on the offenders as well as the victims. Without adequate knowledge, it is difficult to develop measures to prevent the problem or care for the victims.

The starting point for the report has been that the commercial sexual exploitation and sexual abuse of children are a violation of the rights of children, with far-reaching consequences to children's health and well being. The basic premise is enshrined within the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which in articles 19, 34 and 35 requires States Parties to protect children from abuse and neglect, sexual exploitation and sale, traffic and abduction. Article 33 of the Convention states that States Parties shall take all appropriate measures, including... social and educational measures, to protect children from the illicit use of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. This problem is closely linked to the health of street children and children in prostitution. The Convention also addresses issues related to the provision and quality of health services.

Under article 24, children have the right "to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health". In addition, article 3 states that the best interests of the child shall be a primary consideration in all actions concerning children, and it emphasizes the responsibility of States Parties to have a good standard of health care: "States Parties shall ensure that the institutions, services and facilities responsible for the care or protection of children shall conform with the standards established by competent authorities, particularly in the areas of safety, health, in the number and suitability of their staff, as well as competent supervision." The text in article 39 is clear regarding the factors that are crucial for effective rehabilitation programmes for sexually exploited children: "States Parties shall take all appropriate measures to promote physical and psychological recovery and social reintegration of a child victim of: any form of neglect, exploitation, or abuse; torture or any other form of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment; or armed conflicts. Such recovery and reintegration shall take place in an environment which fosters the health, self-respect and dignity of the child".

1. Trangkasombat, U., "Child sexual abuse: a report on 16 cases", Chulalongkorn University, Thailand, 1992.

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