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research findings

The Involvement of Children in Commercial Sexual Activity (PDF, 200KB)

This study explores the factors leading to the first involvement of a young person in underage prostitution. The target group were sex workers who began commercial sexual activities before the age of 18. Questions focussed on the first time payment was received for sex. The respondents outlined the factors leading to this first involvement. In a majority of cases other people were influential in guiding under 18 year olds into commercial sex. They generally received advice with regard to setting a price. The first client was most frequently a businessman. Four fifths of the respondents had tried to stop having sex for money but most recommenced due to lack of money.

Exiting Commercial Sexual Activity
(PDF, 139KB)

This study explores the attempts of those involved in commercial sexual activities to leave the sex trade. People who began commercial sexual activities before the age of 18 years were asked about their first experiences of being paid for sex. They were asked if they had attempted to leave the sex trade and about the issues this entailed. The study examines the factors that led workers back into commercial sex; the alternatives; the support systems available; and the impact of early experiences of trying to leave.

Victimisation Of Those Involved In Underage Commercial Sexual Activity (PDF, 89.8KB)

This study explores the incidence of violence and childhood sexual abuse among people who became involved in underage commercial sexual activity. Respondents who became prostitutes before the age of 18 years were asked about childhood sexual abuse and about sexual and physical assault since beginning commercial sexual activity. Rates of childhood sexual abuse were higher than those of a South Island study that did not include Maori, Pacific or transgender participants.

Alcohol & Drug Use Among People Who Began Commercial Sexual Activity Before 18 Years Old (PDF,145KB)

This study explores the factors leading to young people's initiation into underage prostitution and subsequent use of alcohol and drugs. Sex workers who began prostitution before 18 years of age were asked about their initiation into commercial sexual activity and their use of alcohol and drugs prior and subsequent to that time. Study participants were recruited in the Auckland/Northland and Waikato regions. Forty-seven sex workers who began prostitution before 18 years of age were surveyed. The results suggest an association between alcohol and drug use and underage initiation into commercial sexual activity.

Payment for Sexual Photographs Involving Young People (PDF,82.5KB)

This study explores how young people who are involved in commercial sexual activity may subsequently become involved in the making of erotica and pornography. The target group were people who began commercial sexual activity before the age of 18 years. The respondents outlined the factors leading to this first involvement and indicated whether they were subsequently used in sexual photography. Twenty three (50%) had been asked to do photographs. A quarter were under 16 years at the time. A majority of respondents considered that the males who wanted photographs were different from other men who paid them for sex.

The Involvement of Chinese Women in Commercial Sexual Activity in Auckland and Manukau (PDF,100KB)

This study compares a small group of Chinese women involved in commercial sexual activity with a group of New Zealand born women were involved in commercial sexual activity. The data collected is small due to the restrictions in gaining access to the women in brothels. No Chinese women in this sample worked independently or on the streets. This evaluation explores the following issues: the age of initial involvement, childhood victimisation, sexual assault, alternative employment, and the use of drugs and alcohol.

Suicidal Ideation in Commercial Sexual Activity
(PDF,119KB)

This study explores suicidal ideation in three groups of sex workers. The groups were determined by the age at which workers became involved in commercial sexual activity under 16 years, 16 and 17 years old, and 18 years and over. Respondents who began prostitution before the legal age of 18 years were often drawn into a complex social situation which frequently involved drugs and violence. This may result in feelings of powerlessness and depression which could lead to suicidal ideation. More respondents in this study reported thoughts of suicide since starting commercial sexual activity than in another New Zealand study. This was not related to their support systems.

Post traumatic Stress Disorder and Under Age Sex Work (PDF,212KB)

This study explores the rate of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in a small group of adult sex workers and looks at its relation to under age sex work. In this study people were asked about how they became involved in underage commercial sexual activity, their support systems, about the effects of any trauma they had experienced, and any traumatic disorder including suicidal ideation since starting sex work. This small study supported the literature that suggested that those with a disrupted childhood of sexual and physical abuse and teenage commercial sexual activity are likely to have higher rates of PTSD than average.

ECPAT NZ has initiated a research programme to ascertain the extent and characteristics of child prostitution in New Zealand. Children have been coerced into prostitution as young as 8 years old throughout NZ in cities, towns and rural areas.

Cyberkidz - A survey of needs & resources for NZ primary school-aged children (PDF, 90KB)

ECPAT NZ conducted a survey of needs and resources for New Zealand primary school aged children on the Internet. Numerous interviews were conducted and the clear conclusion was that there is a major gap in the safety resources currently in use. The study identified a lack of direct educational approaches for children to help them at school and at home when, and if they are exposed to inappropriate material.

In addition to setting up www.cyberkidz.co.nz ECPAT has launched an Internet Resource Kit for educators and parents which contains posters, lesson plans, stickers and other information encouraging wise internet use.