While the case of a 14-year-old Interior girl being lured into prostitution in Victoria was disturbing, it’s not an indication that such scenarios are on the rise, police say.

“I believe it is consistent and it fluctuates a little bit,” said Victoria Sgt. Grant Hamilton.

That said, tracking the numbers is difficult, noted Saanich police Const. Laura Vye, who leads the region’s Mobile Youth Services Team (MYST). For a number of reasons – including fear of reporting due to denial, youth feeling isolated or embraced, drug addiction, fear of physical harm or mental health issues – people in the industry often hide, Vye said.

Underage sex-trade workers account for anywhere between 10 to 20 per cent of the city’s estimated 1,200 prostitutes, according to a Prostitutes Empowerment, Education and Resource Society study.

Since 2000, the district’s police departments have run MYST to work with youth at risk of or being sexually exploited.

The Victoria police also focus their efforts on youth.

Police connect with those on the streets, giving officers a better understanding of who to contact if anything happens to a sex trade worker, Hamilton said.

“We focus our efforts on the juveniles, so that is why we meet with the escort agencies to make sure there are no underage people working in them,” he added.

Last week officers arrested 22-year-old Tyrel Henwood, who police say lured a 14-year-old girl from the Interior to Victoria via the Internet, then forced her into prostitution.

For information educating parents on preventing their children from falling prey to the industry, or how teens can spot signs of recruitment, call the Saanich police at 250-475-4321 and ask for the Mobile Youth Services Team.

-with files from Keith Vass

raldous@vicnews.com