Child Exploitation & Abuse-Youth Sex Workers, Week 3, Blog #3

The sexual exploitation and abuse of children is illegal in every country in the world, but continues to be prevalent particularly in less developed countries. Sexual exploitation comes in many different forms. Those forms include prostitution of children under the age of 18 years, child pornography and the sale and trafficking of children. These particular acts towards children are considered to be crimes of violence against children. 

While it is impossible to know the true extent of the problem, given its illegal nature, International Labour Organization (ILO) global child labour figures for the 2003 estimate that there are as many as 1.8 million children exploited in prostitution or pornography worldwide (ILO, 2011 ).  

The exploitation of children was documented by researchers in the article, "Working with Child Prostitutes in Thailand." The researchers in the article primary location of research was the Thai slum communities on the outskirts of towns and cities. A non-government organization (NGO) had set up a small school in a village , providing food and aimed to ease the children gradually out of prostitution by offering them training for alternative employment and by persuading their parents to reject prostitution as a legitimate occupation (Montgomery, 2007). 

Three (3) elements that were documented in the articles(s) and films I found do be relevant and needs continuous attention for change to end child exploitation and sexual abuse are 1.) Reform and educate the thinking and beliefs of parents and/or caregivers of children that may become susceptible to exploitation and prostitution 2.) Provide more opportunities of traditional work and promote high importance of education to children 3.) Increase global resources and funding to apprehend and prosecute those who commit dangerous sexual crimes against children. 


References:

International Labour Organization. http://www.ilo.org/global/lang--en/index.htm#a2

Montgomery, H. (2007). Working with child prostitues in Thailand: Problems of practice and interpretation. Childhood, 14(4), 415.

Rubenson, B., Hanh, L. T., Hojer., B., Johansson, E. (2005). Young sex-workers in ho chi minh city telling their life stories. Childhood, 12(3), 391.