Abbotsford youth are increasingly being targeted by recruiters looking to lure them into the sex trade, say advocates working with at-risk youth in the city.

The sexual exploitation of vulnerable youth is nothing new said Les Talvio, director of Cyrus Centre, which serves at-risk and homeless youth in Abbotsford.

Teens who might require shelter, food, or to feed a habit are often offered what they need in exchange for sex.

However, in the last six months Talvio and Abbotsford Police Const. Kevin Murray, coordinator of the identifying child exploitation (ICE) unit, and other youth advocates, have noticed a new and disturbing trend.

Recruiters are now blatantly targeting youth, and ensnaring them in the sex trade for economic profit.

“We usually see youth sexually exploited for a place to stay, drugs, alcohol or for food,” said Talvio.

“Now the trend is the youth are recruited into the sex trade for cash, for economic profit.”

At least six to a dozen underage youth were recruited to work for cash in the sex trade in the last six months, they say.

The average age of those currently involved is around 14 years old, but they can range from 13 to 18.

It’s very difficult to determine how many teenagers are actually involved, as so much of the sex trade is now occurring indoors through escort services and massage parlours.

“We only hear about it when kids come forward,” said Murray.

“Who knows how many kids are being approached. We just know the ones that fell for it.”

The added danger of youth being working with escort services and in parlours is they become harder to monitor and “invisible” to anyone who might be able to help them, said Talvio.

Youth walking the street also garner more attention and concern from the public, who tend to call police when they see it happening.

“If [the sex trade] is occurring in a house or apartment building, it’s harder for the public to be extra eyes or ears for us,” said Murray.

What’s more, teens often mistakenly believe working “inside” is safer.

“The real danger is girls are lulled into thinking it’s a safer environment because it’s indoors, and there is a so-called manager and defined shifts,” said Murray.

“It seems more legitimate, but none of this precludes a date going badly, or a girl being victimized.”

Additionally, the money, toys and lifestyle promised never materialize.

The teens are later told they are indebted to the people exploiting them.

“Suddenly they ‘owe’ ” said Murray. “For the free drugs they were given, or their first two outfits, or they have to pay for oils they used, or rent at the places they are working,” said Murray.

Recruiters often hunt for teens with low self esteem and poor body image.

But it’s often a matter of approaching as many youth as possible and seeing who bites.

“They’re looking for the one who doesn’t feel she’s got a lot going for her,” said Murray.

The stereotype of a recruiter as a young flash guy who lavishes his victim with gifts, flattery and attention is accurate.

However, recruiters are often also women, who may be in the sex trade themselves.

They prey on teens by cozying up to and befriending them, and then by minimizing the seriousness of getting involved in the trade.

Young girls who are already involved in the sex trade are also used to conscript their peers.

Along with gifts, and promises of a lavish lifestyle, one key tool wielded by them is flattery and affection.

Recruiters pose as a kind of scout who recognizes the beauty, charisma, and “real” potential of the youth they are grooming.

Sometimes the youth aren’t even cognizant of the fact they are being victimized.

One teen Murray is aware of feels she’s pulling the wool over everybody’s eyes.

“She doesn’t see it herself. She believes she’s fooling everyone, and furthermore, doesn’t think she needs rescuing or help.”

Both Murray and Talvio say the best defence against sex trade recruitment lies with parents and adults who take an interest in kids’ lives, and ask the right questions.

The Warning Signs:

Youth vulnerable to recruitment

into the sex trade may:

- have low self-esteem and/or poor body image

- have been sexually abused or sexually active from a young age

- be someone with history of running away.

- have habits such as smoking, drinking,or drugs with no source of income.

- work at a low-paying jobs they don’t want

- have poor relationships with parents

- be youth at risk or living on the street

Kids may be involved in the sex trade if:

- they suddenly stop communicating with parents/ family

- begin to alter sleeping patterns.

- spend a lot of time on the Internet and aren’t willing to reveal why

- suddenly have expensive electronic goods, clothing, or jewelry with no means to pay for them

- grades/ or attendance at school start to slip

Recruiter tactics include:

- appearing confident and independently wealthy with cell phones, clothes, jewelry, and access to cool friends and parties.

- pretending to be romantically interested in a youth, who may crave love and attention

- posing as a “scout” who recognizes the beauty, charisma, and “real” potential of the youth

- providing youth with gifts, free drugs, in exchange for “favours” for his/her clients

- posing as surrogate “mothers” or “friends” that youth can turn to if things are going wrong at home.

- starting sexual and romantic relationships,later used to steer youth into the sex trade

- isolating youth from family, friends and school community.

- ensuring the teen becomes dependent on them for food, shelter, or to feed habits.

- creating the impression the youth is indebted to the recruiter and has to pay them back

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