What is CSEC?

CSEC stands for Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children.

It is defined as being:

Any action which treated someone under the age of 18 as a commercial sexual object was the key defining aspect of CSEC; and any adult who paid for or collected money for the sale of the sexual services of someone under the age of 18 was a perpetrator of CSEC.

CSEC happens in the context of the adult commercial sex industry, a billion-dollar global industry that is culturally and economically normalized around the world. It is often confused with sex work, human trafficking or sexual exploitation - in reality, it can look like, and be, all three of those things.

The term “HUMAN TRAFFICKING” only captures a fraction of the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children that is happening in Nova Scotia.

The Commercial Sex Trade includes:

 

  • In and Out Calls – Pre-arranged dates for money

  • Street-Walking – Soliciting dates in public places

  • Pornography - Amateur or professional production of sexual acts

  • Intimate Images - selling sexually explicit images online

  • Camming – Stripping or sexually performing online

  • Stripping – In a club or privately

  • Sugaring – Commercial relationship between a “sugar daddy/mama” and a “sugar baby”

Anytime sex is exchanged for money or anything of material value, including shelter, a transaction has occurred.

There are a number of ways youth and adults are engaging in the sex trade. We make the distinction between types of participation as its related to 3 factors:

  • Age

  • Control

  • Who Benefits?

These categories are not rigid. People’s experiences in the sex trade over time can be fluid and intersect with one another.

Someone can be both a former victim of Human Trafficking, and a current Sex Worker at the same time.

What are the differences?

Human Trafficking

Human Trafficking is when someone is manipulated, coerced, or forced by a 3rd party to sell or trade sex for money.

That 3rd party is:

  • placing the ads

  • setting the earnings quotas

  • determining the working conditions (like location or client)

  • enjoying the bulk of the profit & material benefit from someone else’s participation

The sexualized human trafficking of children and youth in Canada is predominantly driven by a calculated and methodical sexual predation on young people’s vulnerabilities and insecurities.

Exploitation

Exploitation is when someone is economically dependent on selling or trading sex for money, substances, shelter, or basic needs. They may or may not be in control of their working conditions or money.

Exploitation is driven by a number of systemic factors including:

  • the legacies of colonization & slavery

  • poverty

  • systemic racism

  • gender inequality

  • violence

  • transphobia & homophobia

  • media normalization of violence

  • advancement of technology

Sex Work

Sex Work is when someone is independently selling or trading sex for money or material gain.

The individual providing the services is the one in control of their working conditions. They make the decisions about:

  • how much they charge

  • what services they offer

  • who their clients are

  • how much they work

Sex Workers may work alone or with agencies or online platforms (eg. OnlyFans) who take a percentage of earnings, and in exchange they offer access to advertising audiences and platforms, security and other overhead costs.

Why does it matter?

Effective Support

How someone is participating in the sex trade will influence the types of services and supports a youth will require at any given moment. Understanding these differences allows TESS Partners to tailor prevention and intervention programs in a trauma-informed way.

Give Back Control

CSEC victims and survivors will have had very little control of their own identities and labels throughout their experiences. By encouraging them to identify their experiences using their own labels, they can gain an important piece of control over their own identities.

Reduce Stigma

All of these terms carry a lot of stigma, and have many assumptions that can influence the way that people access and engage with programs and services. Everyone has the right to dignity, safety and respect, regardless of how they were engaged.