Children of the Street

October 18, 2010, Coquitlam - Halloween is fast approaching and Children of the Street Society is once again reminding  children, youth and parents about Halloween costumes which glamorize the sex trade and sexualize our youth.  

Dressing up as a “pimp” or “ho” glamorizes the sexual exploitation of children and youth, which is a form of abuse and modern day slavery.  In reality, the sexual exploitation of children and youth leads to multiple, long-term disadvantages to the victim including homelessness, mental illness, drug and/or alcohol addiction, sexually transmitted infections, HIV and AIDS, drug affected babies, post traumatic stress syndrome from physical, emotional and sexual abuse, social stigma, and barriers to future employment. 

Recruiters often attempt to lure children and youth by making false promises and offering gifts or intangible things such as popularity, love, and belonging.  Children and youth can be recruited anywhere, including school grounds, shopping malls, and online through social networking sites and chat rooms.    

This year, the Society is also taking its message one step further.  Executive Director, Diane Sowden says, “Not only are we asking the community to be socially responsible by wearing Halloween costumes which do not glamorize the sexual exploitation of our children and youth, we’re also asking children, youth and adults to take the notion of social responsibility one step further by not wearing costumes which glamorize the gang lifestyle.”   

With troubling similarities between recruitment into a life of sexual exploitation, youth who are recruited into the gang lifestyle are also made false promises of money, power, respect, a sense of family, and protection – promises which lead to violence, criminal activity, and the risk of death.  “We’re talking about sexual exploitation and gangs because we know both of these issues not only have similarities, they can also be connected,” says Sowden. “Girls can play a variety of roles in a gang, including participating in criminal activity, and being sexually exploited by male gang members.” 

The message is simple: it’s not socially acceptable to dress up as a ‘pimp,’ gangster, or sex trade worker this Halloween.  Earning a profit off of the buying and selling of children and youth, glamorizing the sex trade or a gangster lifestyle, is only further contributing to our false perceptions about these harsh realities.  Instead, the Society is encouraging children, youth and adults to choose appropriate costumes that represent their own individuality and creativity. 

Children of the Street Society is a provincial Society and federal charity dedicated to the prevention of sexual exploitation of children and youth since 1995.  The Society’s mission is to take a proactive approach through public awareness, education and early intervention strategies to prevent the sexual exploitation of children and youth while offering support to families. The Society’s vision is a world where children and youth are safe and free from all forms of sexual exploitation.  For more information visit childrenofthestreet.com. 

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