The Issue Of Juvenile Prostitution - 2176 Words

Over the past decade in Canada juvenile prostitution has been an increasingly prominent issue in society. There are many organizations that have conducted research on this controversial matter, many conducting research to provide the public with a more in depth examination about how this is affecting Canadian society. These studies often focus on the reasons why youth become involved in and remain in prostitution, the affects it has on them and on society, as well as programs that could be implemented to reduce its prevalence and protect those involved. The Canadian Government has conducted research on juvenile prostitution in relation to human trafficking. The involvement of gangs and drugs in juvenile prostitution is also one of the†¦show more content†¦Miller, et al. discovered that neglect, abuse, involvement in the foster care system, an absence of appropriate role models and social exclusion, particularly in minorities, are at a higher risk of becoming involved in pro stitution (2010). The link to homelessness was critical in this study, â€Å"between 14% and 46% of street-entrenched youth exchange sex for money, drugs, shelter, or other commodities† (Miller, 2010, p.1). The researchers explain that the average age that these women began this lifestyle between the ages of 15 and 16. Many of them chose this profession because of the lure of immediate money as compared to other employment (Miller, 2010). The article emphasizes the interest in these young women is often due to the fact that they are willing to act in public places, such as parks, alleys, cars or parking lots. It is explained in this journal that the protection of these young women is left to the criminal justice system and the social welfare system, particularly through detention centers and foster homes; often of which the young women are trying to escape (Miller, 2010). Lastly this study provides suggestions for reducing juvenile prostitution in Canadian society, proposing that more youth focused environments would be beneficial to those involved in juvenile prostitution and suggesting more focus on Aboriginal communities