Background

The global evidence regarding sexual exploitation of children (SEC) is expanding, however, the majority of research continues to focus on girls. ECPAT International's Global Boys Initiative is a major contribution to broadening knowledge by exploring how sexual exploitation impacts boys specifically.

Objective

This discussion paper explores data from the initiative to better understand how boys and children of all genders may be impacted by sexual exploitation.

Participants and setting

During 2019–21, research was undertaken by ECPAT member organizations into the sexual exploitation of boys in 10 primarily low-and-middle income countries globally. The initiative also supported a global systematic scoping review of published and gray literature published in this issue (Moss et al., in press).

Methods

Gender norms analysis of Initiative data identifies critical thematic issues impairing access to support services for victimized boys.

Results

Most disconcerting is gender-based stigmatization from services that can compound children's trauma. Justice-based, rather than trauma-informed models of support predominate in responses for boys. Legal frameworks create barriers when binary gendered terminology defines sexual violence, thereby excluding anyone other than women and girls from protection.

Conclusions

Three solutions emerged to improve access to support for more children affected by sexual exploitation: (1) challenge problematic gender norms and consequent practices, such as gendered terminology in legislation, that create barriers for boys and gender-diverse children; (2) create psychologically, emotionally, and physically safe circumstances (i.e. trauma-informed care) for all children to know help-seeking is possible; and (3) undertake proactive support that specifically connects boys and gender-diverse children to therapeutic services like drop-in centers, night-time counseling, and emergency shelter.

中文翻译：

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对儿童的性剥削：男孩因受害而获得社会支持的障碍

 背景

关于儿童性剥削 (SEC) 的全球证据正在增加，但大多数研究仍然集中在女孩身上。 ECPAT 国际的全球男孩倡议通过探索性剥削对男孩的具体影响，为拓宽知识做出了重大贡献。

 客观的

本讨论文件探讨了该倡议的数据，以更好地了解所有性别的男孩和儿童如何受到性剥削的影响。

 参加者及设置

2019-21 年间，ECPAT 成员组织对全球 10 个主要中低收入国家的男孩性剥削情况进行了研究。该倡议还支持对本期发表的已发表文献和灰色文献进行全球系统范围审查（ Moss 等人，出版中）。

 方法

对倡议数据的性别规范分析确定了影响受害男孩获得支持服务的关键专题问题。

 结果

最令人不安的是服务中基于性别的污名化，这可能会加剧儿童的创伤。在针对男孩的应对措施中，以正义为基础的支持模式占主导地位，而不是基于创伤的支持模式。当二元性别术语定义性暴力时，法律框架会产生障碍，从而将妇女和女孩以外的任何人排除在保护之外。

 结论

出现了三种解决方案，以改善更多受性剥削影响的儿童获得支持的机会：（1）挑战有问题的性别规范和随之而来的做法，例如立法中的性别术语，这些术语为男孩和性别多样化的儿童设置了障碍； (2) 为所有儿童创造心理、情感和身体上安全的环境（即创伤知情护理），让他们知道寻求帮助是可能的； (3) 采取积极主动的支持，专门将男孩和性别多样化儿童与临时收容中心、夜间咨询和紧急避难所等治疗服务联系起来。