The Shadows Behind Sexual Exploitation: Annotated Bibliography

Behind closed doors, there happens to be a wide range of the different types of sexual exploitation. [“Sexual exploitation] is the abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust for sexual purposes” (US Legal). Young people are generally a target. There are many more cases of child sexual exploitation than any other, because girls, especially, are too young to recognize when they are being exploited. Culturally, sexual exploitation causes people to be guarded because it is not accepted. Individuals choose to ignore certain conversations and issues just because they are uncomfortable to discuss and deal with. Sometimes sexual exploitation can be the acts of those we care about most. That is where the majority of sexual exploitation occurs because it is a lot easier to get near someone that you have a strong relationship with, than trying to lure someone who has never seen you before. In relationships, this happens quite often. Cultural feelings about sexual exploitation often dictate ones feelings about sexual abuse. It’s the exact reason why there is a huge industry for these illegal acts to take place, because nobody knows or wants to know the dangers that everyday people are going through. Human trafficking is a big part of sexual exploitation but is not limited to this injustice of violating others’ emotional and physical beings. In looking at different cases of sexual exploitation, it shall become clear as to why it happens so often, and where it happens. The most important concept to acknowledge is why the individuals who were violated did not tell anybody about it. This is because they feel that they will bring shame on their family and everyone they know. Areas in poverty are more likely t...

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...trangers, listen to your gut feelings, remember that you can say no, block people who are inappropriate when talking to you, and don’t go off by yourself if you are taking drugs and a drink (Buckinghamshire).. If you feel that a loved one or close friend is a victim of sexual exploitation, it is important to watch out for the signs and to contact someone if you are concerned. Some of the warning signs of sexual exploitation consist of having an older boyfriend/ girlfriend, staying out late or going missing from home for long periods of time, being secretive about what the individual is doing and who they are with, and receiving calls/texts from strangers asking to meet up (Buckinghamshire). Sexual exploitation is everywhere and can happen to anyone. The most important note to keep in mind is to reduce the rate of vulnerability that one puts themselves in.