For Teens
What is sexual exploitation?
Sexual exploitation is a law that states if you are under the age of 18, it is illegal to engage in sexual activity in exchange for something in return.
If you have been placed in a situation where you have felt that you needed to provide a sexual act, photo, or video in exchange for anything (physical or emotional needs), then you have been placed in a situation of sexual exploitation - and it is not your fault!
Examples of Sexual Exploitation
Pressure to engage in a sexual act at a party for popularity or acceptance
Pressure to sext/ send a naked image
A predator contacting you online for sexual or romantic purposes
Selling photos or videos that are sexually explicit in return for money or rewards
Pressure to engage in sexual activity in exchange for money, drugs, or a glamorous lifestyle
Sexting
Sending naked or semi-naked texts in picture or video
A Canadian study by mediasmarts.ca found that:
Only 4/10 Canadian youth have sent a sext.
62% of youth have never sent a sexy to someone who asked for it.
1 in 6 youth have had a sext shared.
What are the risks?
While it is important to have body positivity, anything sent through a digital device never guarantees privacy, control, or disappearance.
Ways to say "no":
"Sorry, my parents check my phone"
"How about we save that for in person"
"I have a no-sext rule"
"Unsubscribe!"
Say you are in the dark and send a black photo
What is the law?
The Law: Under the Criminal Code, any of the following amount to child pornography (child abuse) material:
A photographic, film, video or other visual representation, whether or not it was made by electronic or mechanical means,
that shows a person who is or is depicted as being under the age of eighteen years and is engaged in or is depicted as engaged in explicit sexual activity, or
the dominant characteristic of which is the depiction, for a sexual purpose, of a sexual organ or the anal region of a person under the age of eighteen years;
Under the Criminal Code (Canada), it is illegal to:
Make child pornography (includes make, print, publish, possess for the purpose of publication)
Distribute child pornography (includes transmit, make available, distribute, sell, advertise, import, export or possess for the purpose of transmission, making available, distribution, sale, advertising or exportation)
Possess child pornography
Did someone share a sext of yours without consent? The law is on your side and there are steps to take:
Report to Cybertip.ca
Learn the steps to take it back at needhelpnow.ca
Sextortion
When someone threatens to send a sexual image or video of you to others if you don’t send more sexual content or pay them money.
Things to know
You never know who is on the other side of the screen unless you know them in person
Live stream apps and websites can be recorded!
Most predators may use an excuse that their microphone or video is not working
Predators can display a pre-recorded video in a live stream making you believe that what you see on the other end is a real live person
What to do
Do not respond to the individual and stop all communication.
Take screenshots and document all of their information and the messages for proof
Report to Cybertip.ca
Did someone share a sext of yours without consent? The law is on your side and there are steps to take:
Report to Cybertip.ca
Learn the steps to take it back at needhelpnow.ca
Are they a love interest or exploiter?
An exploiter will know information about you before you have shared it, or state common interests as coincidence
An exploiter will ask for a naked photo or video
An exploiter will be quick to ask you about your relationship and sexual history within a few minutes
An exploiter will be a few years older than you (18-20 typically)
An exploiter will transfer you from one app / platform to another
An exploiter will stop talking to you if you don't engage in sexual discussions or share nude photos
An exploiter will "love bomb" you, calling you pet names and complimenting you right away
Grooming
Exploiters and human traffickers will pretend to be a boyfriend or a friend in order to lure youth into sexual exploitation.
5 Warning Signs of Grooming
Exploiters and human traffickers will pretend to be a boyfriend or a friend in order to lure youth into sexual exploitation. They use tactics throughout this relationship to take advantage of youth later.
There are 5 warning signs. They do not all happen at once and not all of them need to be present. Reach out if your relationship displays any of the following:
1) Age Difference
Typically a 2-7 year age difference of someone in high school dating or having a friendship with someone a little older. This is a red flag as age difference creates a power imbalance: the exploiter has access to things such as transportation, money, or ID. They may also use their age to pressure you into acting "more mature".
2) Gifting
This looks like someone buying you things or treating you to things that you can't typically afford for yourself. This is done intentionally to build a debt that you will need to pay back later. Gifts include free drugs at parties, cell phones, or puppies.
3) Isolating
The purpose is to take you away from your family or friends physically or emotionally. This can look like getting you to move out, keeping secrets from your parents, or taking you away from your friends.
4) Control
Can be physical, mental, or emotional through requiring secrecy, blackmailing, or withdrawing friendship, gifts, or love.
5) Unhealthy Changes
This person in your life may cause you to skip school, be tired from late nights, party more often, develop a drug addiction, or hang around older peers and different friends.
Consent
A voluntary, free, and enthusiastic agreement to engage in sexual activity. The absence of a "no" is not consent.
Consent is about communication, both verbally and non verbally
Important factors of consent
Consent to one type of sexual activity is not consent to another
Consent to sexual activity one time, is not consent to sexual activity at any time
Consent can also be taken away at any time
It is the responsibility of the person initiating to make sure they have consent
Being in a relationship does not automatically imply consent
Ways to say "no"
“I’m tired”
“I have to go”
“I have to text my parents”
“I have my period”
“I’m not feeling well”
"My parents are calling me"
"Let's do x instead"
"I don't think that feels good for me"
Sexy ways to communicate consent
"Tell me what you want me to do"
"What turns you on?"
"How does this feel?"
"Do you want to try something new?"
"Do you want me to keep going?"
Online Predation
According to Cybertip, law enforcement, and the UN
Over 90% of sexual exploitation is first facilitated online
At any given time, 750,000 individuals are estimated to be looking to connect with children online for sexual purposes
Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat are still the most common apps used by exploiters
The average age of an exploiter online is 18-30
Around 40% of online predators target children under 14, while almost 60% target youth
There has been a rise of males being sexually exploited online through sextortion tactics
A friend, love interest, or exploiter?
An exploiter will know information about you before you have shared it, or state common interests as coincidence
An exploiter will ask for a naked photo or video
An exploiter will be quick to ask you about your relationship and sexual history within a few minutes
An exploiter will be a few years older than you (18-20 typically)
An exploiter will transfer you from one app to another
An exploiter will stop talking to you if you don't engage in sexual discussions or share nude photos
An exploiter will "love bomb" you, calling you pet names and complimenting you right away
An exploiter will message you privately and avoid public comments on your profiles
An exploiter will rarely tell you about themselves and will only want to learn information about you
An exploiter will invite you to a party without you knowing them in person