NCJ Number
216545
Journal
Child Abuse Review Volume: 15 Issue: 5 Dated: September-October 2006 Pages: 351-361
Date Published
September 2006
Length
11 pages
Annotation
This paper argues that the view that “boys are not sexually exploited” is very common among many professionals in the United Kingdom working with young men and reasons for this belief and reasons for this mindset to change.
Abstract
The issue of boys and young men at risk of sexual exploitation is slowly being recognized by practitioners and more services are expanding their provision to ensure support and facilities are open to boys and young men at risk, as well as girls and young women. This is just the beginning of reducing and preventing sexual exploitation of male children. Until all professionals working with vulnerable young men ask themselves, “is this young man being sexually exploited,” young men are going to remain hidden and unsupported. This paper draws on evidence collected from Barnardo’s Young Men’s Project (BYMP) which provides free and confidential services aimed at preventing and reducing sexual exploitation of male children. BYMP is a London-wide service working with boys under 18 who are experiencing or are vulnerable to sexual exploitation. History and practice have in the past suggested that boys and young men are at no, or low, risk of sexual exploitation. This paper argues that this is impossible to conclude with such a weak knowledge base concerning the extent and nature of sexual exploitation of male children in the United Kingdom. References