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.
