How sexual exploitation of men and boys is overlooked and dismissed

[Behind the Aegis]

Sexual abuse of children has been in the news in recent months; the coverage of a devastating report on the abuse of at least 1,400 children in Rotherham over a number of years, in the face of official ignorance and disbelief, is only the most recent example.

On one hand, this is coverage obviously to be welcomed. As I have written previously for The Conversation, we need to be able to talk about sexual abuse if we are to recognise and address it. However sexual abuse is also a complex, nuanced issue – and its nuances are usually overlooked in the headlines.

I was reminded of the challenges (but importance) of researching different types of sexual abuse while conducting research now published by the children’s charity Barnardo’s, focusing on the sexual exploitation of boys and young men.

Challenges of definition

Child sexual exploitation is a particular form of child sexual abuse characterised by “exchange”, whether directly between victim and perpetrator, or a third person. It is associated with what used to be broadly known as “child prostitution”, but also encompasses broader scenarios such as sexual contact in exchange for a place to stay, or, in some definitions, in exchange for affection or status. It has also been associated with grooming and trafficking.

more: http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/08/27/how-sexual-exploitation-of-men-and-boys-is-overlooked-and-dismissed/

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This is an important topic, often overlooked or met with nervous tics of on variety or another. When I worked as a rape crisis counselor, this was in the mid-90's, almost no literature focused or even addressed male victims, including boys, and as far as GLBT victims, it was worse. Thankfully, it has changed some, at least from what I hear.