What is adult sexual exploitation?

Like children, adults can also experience or be at risk of experiencing sexual exploitation.

Sexual exploitation happens when a person is coerced, forced or manipulated into engaging in sexual activities:

  • By someone such as a partner or friend.
  • Out of necessity, to finance basic needs like food or accommodation.

Sexual exploitation can happen in lots of different ways, including:

  • ‘Sex for rent’ arrangements, where a landlord offers accommodation in exchange for sexual activity.
  •  Being forced to exchange sex for money, accommodation, food in order to survive – also known as ‘survival sex’.
  • Being coerced into the sex industry by a third party – such as a partner or friend.
  • Being coerced into unwanted sexual activities with third parties by a partner, family member or friend.
  • Being trafficked for the purpose of performing sexual acts.

Often, there is an element of grooming involved before the exploitation happens.

What is grooming? 

Grooming happens when someone builds a relationship or connection with a person in order to abuse or exploit them.

This might appear as forming a friendship, offering help with money or housing, creating dependency on the groomer. This position of trust is then used to coerce someone into exploitation, often under the pretense of repayment for the help provided.

It’s important to remember that exploitation can still be happening, even if the sexual activity appears to be consensual.

For support

If you are concerned that you may be being exploited, or you are concerned about someone else, you can reach out to the Live Fear Free Helpline for support. The helpline can offer confidential and judgement free advice, information and support and is available 24/7.

You can contact the helpline on:

UK British Sign Language Relay – Always dial 18001 before the number you are trying to call.

The helpline can also be accessed via the sign live app, you can download the app on google play, set up and account and then look for the live fear free helpline.

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger you should contact the police on 999.