Global Economic Downturn Fuels Child Sex Trade

Poverty leads to vulnerability leads to child sexual exploitation--its not a direct correlation or a direct equation, but most studies would agree that those facing poverty are at a much higher risk for sexual exploitation.

With the Global Economic Recession, more people have been pushed into poverty, and more children being sexually exploited. According to the Global Post, approximately 1.8 million children are sexually exploited every year.

Its a pattern familiar to many countries. The recession forced the closure of many work establishments, government services are cut, children have to quit school either because their parents can't afford it or because they have to help earn money, living conditions deteriorate--and as part of these conditions, children become more vulnerable to exploitation. Whether it be through the promise of quick money, the nice words of a stranger, children are increasingly being "recruited" into this multi-billion dollar industry at startling rates every year.

Photo Credit: Yan Pritzker on flickr.com