Child sexual exploitation in Canada has increased by 815% over the past 5 years.
The sexual exploitation of children in Canada is a growing concern, with alarming statistics revealing that children are being groomed for exploitation at an average age of 13. The majority of these victims are girls, making them particularly vulnerable to trafficking and abuse.
What is child exploitation?
Child sexual exploitation is a broad term that involves coercing or manipulating a minor into sexual activities in exchange for something - like money, gifts, or even love, attention and belonging.
Sexual exploitation can include:
Luring a child or youth via the Internet and/or social media for sexual purposes
Sextortion (digital blackmail)
Sex trafficking
Making, selling or distributing child sexual abuse material (CSAM)
All sex trafficking is exploitation.
Not all sexual exploitation is trafficking.
How does it happen?
It’s important to keep in mind that sexual exploitation is NEVER the fault of a child or youth, regardless of the circumstances. While each case of sexual exploitation is unique and complex, the following tactics are often used in the recruitment and exploitation of children and youth.
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Initial contact may be made in person or online where predators begin to build trust and emotional ties with their targets.
During this time, predators work to understand their victims’ vulnerabilities. They will leverage insecurities and needs for affection to make the victim more dependent on them.
Predators often prey on victims who are looking for attention, affection, the promise of a better life, a job opportunity, or to fit in. -
Predators begin building a relationship by testing boundaries, love-bombing and making the child or youth feel special. They target the emotional, economic and social needs of the child in order to manipulate them.
They may purchase expensive items or gifts for the victim, invite them to parties, and/or provide drugs and alcohol. -
Once trust is established, the perpetrator isolates the child by cutting them off from their support systems. The isolation is not always physical, but could be physical or emotional, making the young person increasingly dependent on the perpetrator. The perpetrator will often discourage contact with family and friends making the child believe that no one else understands them.
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Perpetrators use psychological tactics - like guilt or obligation - to control the child. Manipulation can sound like, “You owe me for everything I’ve done for you,” or “If you loved me, you would do this for me,”
This often looks like emotional and even physical abuse, leveraging the emotional bond the victim has with the perpetrator. -
If manipulation methods are not working to control the child, then intimidation and threats may begin to disclose.
This can sound like, “If you don’t do this for me then I will tell everyone what you’ve done and no one will love you anymore,” or “If you don’t do this, I will hurt your family/friends/pets.”
This is the stage where the perpetrator exerts full control and benefits from the exploitation.
Who is at risk?
Sexual exploitation can occur anywhere and to any young person regardless of their gender, family situation or social, cultural or economic background, though young females are particularly at risk.
It can happen:
Through social media, apps and chat sites
On the internet
At parties
At the mall or other public spaces
Within a family
Children or youth involved in sexual exploitation are victims of sexual abuse who need help and protection.
Why are children and youth vulnerable to exploitation?
Everyone has needs and perpetrators are skilled at exploiting them to gain control. While everyone is vulnerable to exploitation, children and youth are often targeted because:
They are less cautious when using technology
They want to be liked and fit in -predators exploit this vulnerability by using flattery and praise to groom victims
They are often ill-prepared and not developmentally ready to handle complex situations like sexual exploitation
They may not fully understand what sex is - especially true for younger children and tweens - to know that what they’re being asked to do is wrong
They may be embarrassed or afraid to tell someone
Know the warning signs.
A sexually exploited child may:
Spend more time online or on their devices
Withdraw from friends and family
Start skipping class and/or withdraw from activities that used to interest them
Be secretive about who they are talking to, spending time with and where they have been
Be unusually protective about a new relationship or friendship and unwilling to talk about it
Have new, expensive gifts such as phones, devices, jewellery, new clothes, or online game currencies like Robux, V-Bucks and Minecoins
Be secretive or reactive about their browser history, websites they visit or contacts in their phone
Experience mood swings and changes in temperament, as well as changes in behaviour
Have sudden changes in their lifestyle
How to support a child that has disclosed exploitation to you.
What you say and do will help them feel safe and supported. If a child or youth tells you they are being abused or sexually exploited, make sure you:
Stay calm and react without shock, disbelief, anger, judgement, or fear.
Let them tell you what happened in their own words without interrupting.
Listen carefully without asking questions.
Reassure them it is not their fault and that they were right to tell you.
Acknowledge how they are feeling (scared, angry, embarrassed, hurt, sad).
Help them feel comforted and supported by saying things like - “I believe you and I will support you” / “It’s okay to feel scared, angry or hurt” / I will try to help you figure out what happens next” / “You are brave for talking about this”
Be sure to write down everything that was shared with you including the way the child looked, how they behaved and other things you noticed. Keep your notes private and secure. Seek out help and report to law enforcement and Cybertip.ca
