Commercial sexual exploitation of adolescents in Europe

Commercial sexual exploitation of adolescents in Europe: a hidden and unrecognized problem

Noemí Pereda, Ph.D., is a tenured associate professor in Victimology at the University of Barcelona, ​​Spain. Her main research areas are developmental victimology and psychological trauma in children and adolescents. Since 2009, she has led the Research Group on Child and Adolescent Victimization (GReVIA) at the University of Barcelona.

This presentation examines commercial sexual exploitation (CSE) in the European context. CSE is a form of sexual violence that occurs in all regions and countries and affects the most vulnerable children and adolescents. This social problem affects 1% to 2.5% of European youth, with rates being significantly higher among specific risk groups. The sex-for-survival perspective argues that the involvement of a minor in sexual situations with an adult, regardless of whether their motivation is economic or not, is always a situation of exploitation. Data on the prevalence of sexual exploitation of adolescents (14-17 years) in Spain, as well as young people in residential centres within the welfare system, are presented. The results highlight that CSE has a significant impact on a segment of adolescents that is not limited to specific vulnerable groups, but within the general population, and underline the urgency of addressing CSE through comprehensive interventions and preventive measures.

Given the subject matter, participants must decide for themselves whether or not to attend.

Sponsored by the Department of Psychology and the International Programs Office. Free and open to the public.