The practice is most widespread in South America and Asia, but prostitution of children exists globally, in undeveloped countries as well as developed. Research suggests that there may be as many as 10 million children involved in prostitution worldwide. Some people travel to foreign countries to engage in child sex tourism.
Prostitution of children is commonly associated with child pornography, and they often overlap. In most jurisdictions, child prostitution is illegal as part of general prohibition on prostitution.Ĭhild prostitution usually manifests in the form of sex trafficking, in which a child is kidnapped or tricked into becoming involved in the sex trade, or survival sex, in which the child engages in sexual activities to procure basic essentials such as food and shelter. The term normally refers to prostitution of a minor, or person under the legal age of consent. Illegal under international law and national lawsĬhild prostitution is prostitution involving a child, and it is a form of commercial sexual exploitation of children. Statue of a young 19th-century prostituted child
