Youth Involvement in Prostitution: A Literature Review and Annotated Bibliography

Appendix A: Annotated Bibliography (continued)

Clark, L. (1986). Boys will be boys: Beyond the Badgley report: A critical review. In J. Lowman, M. Jackson, T. Palys, & S. Gavigan (Eds.) Regulating sex: An anthology of commentaries on the findings and recommendations of the Badgley and Fraser reports Burnaby, British Columbia: Simon Fraser University.

The Badgley Report assembles an impressive amount of information concerning sexual offences against children and youth. Notwithstanding the Report’s scope, several criticisms emerged after the Committee released its findings. In this paper, the author criticizes the Badgley Report for its paternalistic tone, and not recognizing that child sexual abuse is a result of our patriarchal social structure. The Badgley Report indicates that an overwhelming majority of those who sexually assault, abuse and exploit children and youth are males. However, there is no analytical recognition of this important gender dynamic. Further, the Report identifies child sexual abuse as repulsive, however it ignores the patriarchal status quo, especially the role of the family in protecting male interests. The author concludes that male sexual socialization and other patriarchal power structures must be addressed if we are to reduce the incidence of sexual offences against children and youth.

Coleman, E. (1989). The development of male prostitution activity among gay and bisexual adolescents, Journal of Homosexuality, 17, 131-149

This paper reviews the literature on male-juvenile prostitution to help establish some theoretical understanding of gay and bisexual adolescent participation in prostitution. The author asserts a relationship between gay and bisexual adolescent psychosexual and psychological development and vulnerable situational variables. “More severe disruptions in psychosexual and psychological development seem to result in more destructive and non-ego enhancing prostitution activities.” The development of this process is presented through a clinical case study. Initiatives to reduce the incidence of “self-destructive prostitution activity among male adolescents” are also discussed.

Committee on Sexual Offences Against Children and Youth (Badgley) (C.S.O.A.C.Y). (1984). Sexual offences against children. Ottawa: Department of Supply and Services.

In 1981, the Canadian government introduced the Committee on Sexual Offences Against Children and Youth (the Badgley Committee) in response to concerns about the sexual abuse of young people. Because of a perceived increase in the number of youth involved in prostitution, “juvenile prostitution” was included in the Committee’s mandate. The Badgley Committee was instructed to explore legal sanctions to help confront child sexual abuse and make recommendations for protecting children at risk. The final report contained 52 recommendations to help confront the sexual exploitation of youth, including conclusions and recommendations the Committee made following interviews with 229 juvenile prostitutes. The Committee produced substantial biographical information about youth prostitutes in Canada: e.g., 27.6% of the females and 13.1% of the males were under 16; many juvenile prostitutes were runaways from home situations they described as intolerable; many male prostitutes ran away from home because they were ridiculed and ostracized for their homosexual preferences; most respondents were undereducated in comparison to other Canadian youth; and, existing social services have been ineffective at providing adequate protection and assistance. Using the National Population Survey as a comparison group, the Committee concluded that juvenile prostitutes did not experience more sexual offences when growing up than other Canadian youth. The Committee made several recommendations to address youth prostitution, which include: criminalizing customers of juvenile prostitutes; criminalizing young prostitutes to keep them from a life of prostitution; and, prevention and education programs to reduce the incidence of juvenile prostitution.

Committee for Sexually Exploited Youth in the CRD (1997). A consultation with 75 sexually exploited youth in the Capital Regional District (CRD) of British Columbia. B.C.: Ministry of Attorney General.

In 1996, a Task Force on Sexually Exploited Youth in Victoria, British Columbia instructed a “Research Subgroup” to identify youth sexually exploited in the sex trade and provide information on the needs of this population. The research subgroup aimed to provide sexually exploited youth in the sex trade with a forum to share their backgrounds, behaviours, and experiences in prostitution. Questionnaires that focus on “demographics, type and frequency of trading sexual favours, violence, safety and prevention, exiting the sex trade, the housing needs of sexually exploited youth, health, condom usage, drug and alcohol use, and criminal history” were administered to 75 respondents. The study reveals that the average age of entry into prostitution was 15.5 years of age. Many respondents became involved in prostitution as a means of subsistence (i.e., for shelter, food and clothing), and many youth experienced physical and sexual abuse at the hands of customers and pimps. The study documents problems with a lack of housing for sexually exploited youth in the sex trade, and inadequate assistance with “child care; drug and alcohol addiction; health and health care access; staying in school; education; skills and training, as well as a lack of social supports.”

Csapo, M. (1986). Juvenile Prostitution. Canadian Journal of Special Education, 2 (2), 145-170.

This article synthesizes information on youth prostitution produced by the Badgley and Fraser Committees, as well as other related reports and briefs. The author reviews several topics, including information on the incidence of youth prostitution, characteristics of juvenile prostitutes, data on pimps and customers, legislation to protect children and youths, and proposed legal and social solutions to combat juvenile prostitution. A combination of socio-legal educational programs emerges from the recommendations as the most effective way to address the sexual exploitation of children and youth.

C/S Resors Consulting Limited, Research in Socio-Economic Research (1996). Report of the findings from the evaluation of the Vancouver Action Plan (VAP). Vanvouver, B.C.: Ministry of Social Services.

In 1994, the British Columbia government launched the Vancouver Action Plan (VAP); a $1.9 million community-based initiative to augment existing social services to sexually exploited street youth in Vancouver. This evaluation study used multiple lines of evidence to research the efficiency and effectiveness of the VAP process, the outcome of program components, and lessons to heed in the design and implementation of future government and community partnerships. The researchers cite the VAP’s community-centred approach and the enhancement of existing services as strengths of the process. Problems identified with the process include concerns about the funding sequence and accountability, management of the process, and stakeholder and community participation. The evaluators conclude that competing interests and philosophies, personality differences, and struggles for resources characterized the VAP. Nevertheless, the authors believe the VAP helped build government and community partnerships and enhance services for sexually exploited street youth. The evaluators recommend future community initiatives that incorporate best practices principles.

Currie, S., Lalibertie, N., Bird, S., Rosa, N., & Spring, C. (1995). Assessing the violence against street-involved women in the downtown astside/Strathcona community.

Women involved in prostitution are facing an increased amount of emotional, physical and sexual abuse. In 1993, a coalition of Vancouver service agencies initiated a study to explore issues associated with violence against street-involved women. A research team facilitated a series of focus group discussions (60 street-involved women) to gather information on issues related to victimization. Issues identified in the group discussions helped in the developing questions for 85 in-depth, one-to-one interviews. The interviews focused on demographics, services, housing, alcohol and other drugs, AIDS/HIV, training, police and police services, restraining orders and bad dates. The findings indicate that a majority of prostitutes experienced violence (sexual and physical abuse) at home, and while involved in prostitution. Almost all (98%) of the women experienced violence because of a bad date, and youth involved in prostitution were identified as more at risk of being victimized than were adult prostitutes. Further, most prostitutes have no access to adequate housing, and they face alcohol and drug related problems, concerns with HIV/AIDS, and lack the necessary skills to find employment. The report includes recommendations for increasing the “health and safety of women in the community.”