ABSTRACT
The phenomenon of the commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC) has primarily centered on the victimization of girls and young women. The research has focused on gender-specific victims. But sexual victimization is universal and not gender specific, affecting both girls and boys. This chapter reviews about sexual exploitation of boys and young men. Although sexual exploitation of boys is common, Lillywhite and Skidmore reported that researchers for the most part focus on girls and young women and that the literature on prostitution remains silent about male sex workers. Sexually exploited and trafficked boys have much higher rates of anxiety, depression, HIV/AIDS, and increased rates of suicide attempts. Sex trafficking is a form of modern slavery that exists throughout the United States and globally. Sex traffickers use violence, threats, lies, debt bondage, and other forms of coercion to compel adults and children to engage in commercial sex acts against their will.
