Child Expploitation

Sex traffickers target children because they are gullible and vulnerable. Children are easier to manipulate than adults. Children not living with parents are more vulnerable to exploitation than those who are currently residing with theirs, they don’t have a stable income to support themselves or a supporting family structure. Victims can be targeted through acquaintances, on the streets, at shopping centers. Some children are more likely to be targeted then others.
There are a few different factors that increase the likely hood of child prostitution. In the US it seems the main factor is previous sexual abuse, while in other countries the main factor is poverty.
“These victims have typically suffered from sexual abuse, poverty, and other trauma and are especially vulnerable to pimps and traffickers. They suffer from physical and sexual violence, as well as psychological and emotional problems, thus deserving specialized social services in order to recover their lives”(Mir, 2013, p. 1).
Child prostitution in other countries stems mostly from poverty. The family of the child might be in such dire need of money that they sell the child, or the child themselves feel it is their only resort. The children are often run-a-way’s or coming from families that do not want them who feel they can only rely on themselves for support.
“In addition to the underlying domestic turmoil, personality and psychological issues, as well as emotional and school problems, contribute to a victim’s vulnerability to exploitation. For such reasons, traffickers and pimps purposely target these types of young women” (Mir, 2013, p.3).
The children who need the most attention and help seem to be the most vulnerable targets. Children with active authority figur...

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...ervices for Sexually Abused and Sexually Exploited Children and Youth” (Willis, 2002, p.4).
Sexual trafficking of minors is an issue all over the world. The issue is not as talked about in the US as other countries. There are several factors that contribute to a child being a victim of this exploitation, from poverty, to previous abuse, or neglect. The main strategy in the US for shedding light onto this situation and trying to prevent it seems to be to inform the public or public service workers on how to spot a child at risk and be able to prevent it from happening.
In countries where poverty is an issue, children are being put in programs or given help and educational tools to be able to have a chance at surving. Social services are set up for victims and many committees have been formed throughout the countries to try and help with reintegration into society.