Have you ever heard a child say, "When I grow up, I want to be a prostitute?"
Have you ever heard a child say, "When I grow up, I want to be a
prostitute?" For children and youth, working the streets is not a
choice. Their lack of life experience and naivety about where the road
to the street leads precludes their ability to make a conscious,
informed choice. In Canada, any person under the age of eighteen cannot
consent to sell their body for sexual purposes. While prostitution is
legal at the age of majority, sexual exploitation is not. The Criminal
Code of Canada, Section 212(4), states, "Every person who, in any
place, obtains for consideration, or communicates with anyone for the p
urpose of obtaining consideration, the sexual services of a person who
is under the age of eighteen years is guilty of an indictable offense
and liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years." The
term "for consideration" includes the exchange of money, drugs,
transportation, accommodation, etc. There is no valid comparison
between a legitimate business transaction and the sexual exploitation
of youth since in the latter there is no fair exchange. What price can
one place on the psychological and physical damage done to the victim
(child/youth) in sexual exploitation? It is the responsibility of all
of us to protect our children and youth from the offenders and
predators inherent in the sexual exploitation of children and youth.
There are several excellent websites that provide information about the
sexual exploitation of children and youth. Be sure to read the full
"Declaration and Agenda for Action" developed at the 1998 "Out From the
Shadows: First International Summit of Sexually Exploited Youth" at
http://sen.parl.gc.ca/lpearson/ or www.sccwest.org. An abbreviated
version follows, as well as some useful information for youth, parents,
teachers, professionals, etc.