5. Sexual Exploitation

Power or authority is used to influence and force a person to engage in sexual activities– e.g. sleeping with the authority figure, giving sexual relief to the other person, receiving sexual advances from the person in power, etc.– in exchange for profits or other benefits (WHO, n.d.).

Child sexual exploitation

• “I was deceived into entering a relationship where I was sold to predators by my ‘partner’ who I just realized was a pimp.”

• "He said if I slept with him, he’d help me pay for my school fees. I felt like I had no other choice because I needed the money." (Exploiting Financial Vulnerability)

Family or Guardian Exploitation

• "My parents said we didn’t have enough money for food, so they made me spend time with one of their friends. He did things I didn’t want, but my parents said it was for the family." (Exploitation in Exchange for Basic Needs)

• "My guardian said I should ‘help out’ the family by spending time with his friend, but it turned into something I didn’t want to do. I felt used and trapped." (Exploitation by Trusted Adults)

Manipulation in Exchange for Career Opportunities

• "My boss hinted that I’d get promoted if I agreed to go on a private trip with him. I felt uncomfortable, but he kept reminding me how much I needed the job." (Using Workplace Authority for Sexual Coercion)

• "My manager hinted that I wouldn’t get promoted unless I went out with him. He said, ‘People who are willing to go the extra mile are the ones who succeed.’ I felt pressured to agree." (Using Career Advancement as Leverage)

• "My supervisor said, ‘If you want to keep this job, you’ll need to show me you’re really committed,’ while making inappropriate advances. I felt trapped because I couldn’t afford to lose the job." (Exploiting Fear of Job Loss)

• "During my audition, the casting director said, ‘I can make you a star, but you’ll need to do something for me first.’ I felt humiliated and unsure of what to do." (Exploitation in the Entertainment Industry)

• "My professor told me, ‘I can write you a glowing recommendation letter, but let’s discuss it over dinner at my place.’ I knew his intentions weren’t professional." (Coercion Through Academic Power)

• "He kept saying how talented I was and how much potential I had, but then he said, ‘We need to spend some private time together to really discuss your future.’ I didn’t feel safe." (Flattery Leading to Exploitation)

Forced Prostitution

• “My parents/guardians stopped financially supporting me because they found out I am gay/lesbian/trans/etc., forcing me to sell myself to support my studies/have my daily needs.” (Economic Hardships)

• "I was offered a job as a waitress in the city, but when I arrived, they locked me in a room and said I had to earn back the money they spent to bring me there. They forced me to take clients, and I felt trapped." (Deceptive Recruitment Leading to Forced Prostitution)

• "He said if I didn’t agree to do what his friends wanted, he’d hurt me or my siblings. I felt I had no choice but to obey." (Using Threats to Coerce Compliance)

• "When I lost my job, someone said they could help me. But instead, they made me go with strangers and told me it was the only way to pay them back." (Exploitation of Financial Vulnerability)

• "They promised me a better life in another country, but when I got there, they took my passport and said I owed them money. They forced me to work in a brothel, and I couldn’t escape." (Exploitation Through Human Trafficking)

Filmed with no consent/Being coerced to film pornographic materials

• “I was unknowingly and non-consensually recorded by my partner when we were having sex, and sold the video online.” (Breach of Trust and Non-Consensual Filming)

• "My partner said we should film ourselves to ‘spice up’ our relationship. When I refused, they got angry and said I didn’t trust them. I felt pressured and scared to say no." I then found out that our video was sold online. (Manipulation in Relationships)

• "He told me that filming a video would make me famous and help me earn a lot of money. I felt unsure, but he kept saying it was the only way to achieve my dreams." (Exploiting Aspirations)

• “As an adult entertainer, I was expected to partake in harsh and borderline dangerous sexual scenes while filming.”

• "Someone contacted me for a modeling job, but when I arrived, they said the shoot involved nudity and explicit scenes. They said I had no choice because they already paid for the location." (Exploitation in the Name of Professional Work)

• "I was desperate for money, and they said this was the fastest way to earn. I didn’t feel comfortable, but I thought I had no other choice." (Financial Manipulation)

Sex trafficking

• "My relatives said we needed money for basic needs, so they told me to spend time with their ‘friends.’ It started with small favors, but then I was forced into things I didn’t want to do." (Exploitation Within Families)

• "They promised me a high-paying job abroad as a waitress, but when I arrived, they took my passport and told me I had to work in a brothel to repay my debt. I felt trapped and scared." (Exploitation Through Deceptive Recruitment)

• "They told me if I tried to escape, they would hurt my family or tell everyone in my village what I was doing. I felt hopeless and alone." (Intimidation and Threats to Prevent Escape)

• "He said he loved me and wanted to help support us, but then he started bringing strangers into our home and making me do things with them for money. When I refused, he threatened to leave me with nothing." (Exploitation in Romantic Relationships)

Online sexual exploitation

• “I was asked to remove my clothes in front of the camera to please someone on the internet.” (Coerced Live Streaming)

• “Someone I trusted told me that I should get naked as they will take my photographs for the people on the internet.” (Manipulated Photography for Exploitation)

• "We were on a video call, and I thought it was private. Later, I found out he recorded everything and threatened to share it if I didn’t keep doing what he wanted." (Cybersex leading to Non-Consensual Recording and Threats)

• "I was playing an online game when someone started sending me inappropriate messages and asked me to send photos in exchange for game rewards." (Exploitation Through Gaming Platforms)

Cybersex

• "She said he wanted to see me on video and promised it would stay between us. But now I’m worried he recorded it without my permission." (Exploitation Through False Promises of Privacy)

• "They kept asking me to do things on camera, saying, ‘Everyone’s doing it these days. It’s no big deal.’ I felt pressured to agree even though I didn’t want to." (Coercion to Normalize Exploitation)

• "He said he’d tell everyone what I did online unless I performed for him again. I felt trapped and scared." (Blackmail Through Recorded Content)

Sexting

• "He told me, ‘If you really trust me, you’ll send me a picture.’ I didn’t want to, but I felt like I had to prove my feelings." (Emotional Manipulation to Obtain Photos)

• "He said if I didn’t send him a photo, he’d break up with me and tell everyone I was a prude. I sent it, but now I feel ashamed." (Using Guilt and Threats to Coerce Photos)

• "After I sent the photo, he started asking for more. He said if I didn’t send another, he’d post the first one online." (Exploitation Through Sextortion)

Hook-ups

Body autonomy is a fundamental right that allows you to make decisions about your own body and personal boundaries. It’s about knowing your worth, setting boundaries, and feeling empowered in your choices. In today’s society, the idea of casual relationships and hook-up culture has become more prevalent, offering a space where individuals explore their desires and independence. However, while it may seem liberating on the surface, hook-up culture also comes with risks that need to be understood to ensure safety and well-being.

Hook-ups can sometimes blur boundaries, leading to situations where consent is ignored or violated. Below are examples of real-life scenarios that highlight the risks:

• "I matched with him on a dating app, and he seemed nice. But when we met in person, he pressured me into things I didn’t want to do." (Exploitation Through Dating Apps and Hook-Ups)

• "He said we were just going to talk, but once we were alone, he started touching me and wouldn’t stop. I didn’t think he’d be like that." (Exploitation of Trust in Casual Meetings)

• "I thought it was just a date, but when I tried to leave, she said I couldn’t go until I ‘gave her what she wanted.’ I felt terrified and trapped." (Physical Coercion During a Casual Encounter)

Flashing

• "While on a video call, he suddenly exposed himself, saying, ‘I just want to show you how much I like you.’ I felt disgusted and violated." (Non-Consensual Exposure Online)

• "She sent me a photo of himself without me asking and said, ‘What do you think?’ I felt uncomfortable and didn’t know how to respond." (Sending Unsolicited Explicit Content)

• "They kept sending videos of themself without asking if I wanted to see them. When I told them to stop, they said I should feel flattered." (Using Flattery to Justify Exploitation)