KIDS SELLING SEX FOR DRUGS

CHILDREN as young as 10 are turning to street prostitution to support drug
habits. Others sell their bodies in return for food, cigarettes and
alcohol, according to a national survey.

The 1998 ECPAT (End Child Prostitution, Child Pornography and Trafficking)
group surveyed 451 government and non-government agencies around the nation.

ECPAT, which includes Save The Children, World Vision, Community Aid Abroad
and the National Council Of Churches, found that 3733 children under 18
were involved in prostitution - 320, including 99 boys were from Queensland.

One Cairns agency found children were selling their bodies to tourists.

The study found that young people were a minority in the sex industry but
their numbers were increasing.

Some exchanged sex for basic needs such as food and shelter, cigarettes,
alcohol, clothing and money for buying these goods were given as other
reasons for prostitution.

Child prostitution affected young people in rural and regional areas as
well as larger cities.

The report said: "The young homeless become involved in prostitution as a
direct consequence of the poverty and the lack of legitimate access to a
livable income snd secure housing."

Sexual abuse was given as a reason for youth homelessness.

In a separate report issued by the Australian Institute of Criminology,
half the 12 Queensland women surveyed said they would not recommend that
other victims report sexual abuse.

The report, written by Dr Christine Eastwood of Queensland University of
Technology, examined the experiences of 12 sexually abused female
adolescents within the criminal justice system.

Six of those interviewed said "they went through hell" and "it was not
worth it".

Cross-examination was put forward as the worst ordeal, with the young
complainants subject to harassment, intimidation, accusations of lying and
of "wanting it".

The study found the criminal justice process failed to meet the needs of
young sexually abused children.

Checked-by: Mike Gogulski