Rafael Nunez Aponte: Causes of Child Prostitution (Part I)

Child prostitution means the use of children in sexual activities with the objective of obtaining profits or other kind of compensations. This type of activities can also be called as sexual exploitation. Abused children usually are forced to work in the streets or in establishments like brothels, discos, massage parlors, bars, hotels or restaurants. Child prostitution affects both girls and boys. 

According to experts of important institutions against child abuse such as CPIU, in some countries, such as United States, child prostitution can even be included in the distribution or dissemination of images of minors engaged in sexual activities and is considered illegal.

Avoiding Child Sexual Abuse

Causes of Child Prostitution

Poverty: this is the main cause of prostitution. Often, families feel forced to sell their children to traffickers due to their low incomes, which are not enough to meet their basic needs. Poverty can also lead to abandonment. Because of their vulnerability, children become the perfect target of manipulators who promise work and remuneration.

Money: prostitution is a very lucrative activity compared with the level of local wages in many countries. In Kenya, for example, a sexual encounter with a girl under 16 years old may cost about 20 euros. Nevertheless, prices can reach 60 euros, while a common Kenyan earns on average only four euros a day.

Orphans: wars, natural disasters and diseases such as HIV/AIDS contribute to the increasing number of orphans worldwide each year. Because of their vulnerability, these children accept any kind of jobs and prostitution becomes a mean of survival, since it is a high lucrative activity compared to other denigrating and dangerous work.

Easy Tips to Prevent Child Sexual Abuse through the Internet

Create different users

If you have Internet at home, you may check these easy tips to control what your children watch on their computer. This will help you to prevent child sexual abuse and to protect your family.

In some countries, more than 60% of children between 11 and 14 years old have at least one profile in social networks, despite being something illegal in most of the countries. Analysis, numbers and data about this topic and child safety are inspired in the information provided by important institutions such as Guia Infantil and CPIU. Here, we show you the most important tips:

1. Check the functionality of all devices. Before purchasing any gadget for your child, behold its specifications and features. One item that seems to be just an mp3 may be and access to the Internet.

2. Protect computers with passwords. To install a password for accessing to all devices will allow you to control the use of Internet at home.

3. Create different account on the computer. Establish different users and allow your child to have his/her own account and profile, this will avoid accesses to programs or unwanted files. It is important to have an adult account like “administrator” and the child has a “limited user” with which the child will not change or install new hardware or software, games, music players or chat programs.

4. Do not share personal information. Control personal data requested by children’s pages and pay attention to those that ask for personal information. Talk to your child for he/she understands the dangers about providing certain information publicly and also discuss about sweepstakes and promotions online.

5. Control the use of chats and messaging programs. Chats, social networks and instant messaging services can be the means that children use to share interests and build friendships. Nevertheless, the anonymity of the Internet can put children in the way of abusers or imposters.

Rafael Nunez Aponte: Preventing Child Sexual Abuse

Preventing Child Sexual Abuse

Child sexual abuse can be defined as all sexual activities between an adult and an under-age person when the adult exerts power over the child either by force, coercion or persuasion. This is considered as a crime punishable by law and also an action with severe repercussions on the abuser of the victim. 

The statistics and numbers regarding this topic are alarming according to some organizations such as CPIU, which is in charge of educating and helping children and their families about child sexual abuse. This problem is more common than we think, this is why we should keep this information below to prevent child sexual abuse and safeguard the childhood and the innocence in our children.

7 steps to prevent child sexual abuse

Information inspired in the guide created by RANA

·         Know the facts: it’s important to know that abusers often try to find a trustful relationship with the parents of the victims. Do not forget that anyone can be an abuser. A third of the victims are abused by family members, so be aware of those who are close.

·         Reduce risks: this type of abuse often occurs when an adult is alone with the child. Be always present or try to establish situations in which they can be observed by others. Monitor the use of Internet at home.

·         Talk about the topic: Avoid taboo. Talk about child abuse to your children, removing the barrier of silence about the topic. Abusers can manipulate and confuse children to make them believe the abuse is normal or a game.

·         Stay alert: see the origin of different signs such as irritation, swelling, or rash on the genitals, urinary tract infections, abdominal pain or headaches. Recognize emotional signs like withdrawal or depression, self-imposed, anger or rebellion. Sexual behavior is atypical at short ages.

·         Be informed: don’t express disbelief or anger. This makes the child try to justify the abuse and avoid questions.

·         Act when you’re suspicious: denounce and contact social services.

·         Get involved: fight against abuse by supporting laws and organizations to combat child sexual abuse.