What is Prostitution?
Prostitution involves trading sexual services for money or goods (including
food or drugs).
Who is Involved?
Girls and boys involved in prostitution come from a wide variety of
backgrounds including "normal, average, every day" families. The youth can
become involved with peers or boyfriends who bring them into a world that
seems 'exciting' and 'glamorous'. These individuals are sex trade offenders
and they prey on particularly vulnerable youth, offering them 'acceptance'
and 'love'. The sex trade offenders will meet the youth's basic need for survival
but not much more."
Boys frequently begin prostitution at an older age and usually without a pimp.
Some 'transactions' occur on the street, though they are more prevalent in clubs
and other indoor venues. Boys may be either heterosexual or homosexual in their
orientation, but they attract male johns.
Reference: Children Involved in Prostitution Report
by the Task force on Children Involved in Prostitution January 28, 1997
Reality Check
- Prostitutes under the age of 18 are victims, not criminals
- Customers are often violent with prostitutes
- Pimps use violence or threats of violence to keep prostitutes on the street
- Pimps control all the money prostitutes earn
- Prostitutes are more likely to be robbed, beaten and sexually assaulted
than other youth
Reference: Handbook for Action Against Prostitution of Youth
in Calgary : Victims not Criminals, 1995.
Getting Help
The law recognizes that children involved in prostitution are victims of sexual
abuse and need protection. Programs and services are available to help children
end their involvement in prostitution.
If you are involved in prostitution and want help, or know of a youth in the
sex trade, call:
- Child Protection Emergency line at (403) 297-2995
- Street Teams at (403) 228-3390
- Exit Community Outreach at (403) 262-9953
- Calgary Police Service Vice at (403) 206-8388 (8:00 am - 4:00 pm)
- Protective Safe House at (403) 270-1743.
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