By John Myers Jr., Staff Reporter 
FREQUENT REPORTS of children's involvement in Jamaica's sex trade has forced advocate groups back to the drawing board to devise new strategies to combat the problem of sexual exploitation of the under-aged.
"We recognise that it is a growing problem of (under-aged) children being involved in the sex trade. We (are) talking about go-go dancers, in brothels, massage parlours, clubs and bars," said Betty-Ann Blaine, founder of Youth Opportunities Unlimited (YOU).
Although she has not witnessed any specific incident, Miss Blaine said, "We get stories...we are aware here of cases. We are aware that it is a growing problem."
Recent surveys have revealed that an increasing number of children were being employed and exploited in the trade.
A recent study conducted by Dr. Leith Dunn on behalf of the International Labour Organisa-tion's International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labour (IPEC) found that girls as young as 10 and 11 years old were involved in the sex trade and were being solicited by men from all social classes in the society. Boys were found to be involved too, but to a lesser extent.
The study found that some of these children, like adult sex workers, were engaged in traditional prostitution and operated from brothels, bars, massage parlours and go-go clubs, especially in resort areas.
Concerns have also been expressed about schoolgirls engaging in sexual activities on buses and in fast food establishments.
FACTORS
Dr. Dunn in her study, pointed to problems such as economic poverty, unemployment and limited job opportunities for young people and their parents, poor parenting skills, peer pressure and early sexual exposure as some of the main reasons behind the problem.
"Overcrowded housing in which many families share a room, a bed, a bathroom and cooking facilities, limits privacy and security. These conditions contribute to the many cases of incest and sexual abuse and are considered 'push factors' for boys and girls involved in sexual activity," Dr. Dunn stated in the study.
As a result, "some children escaped to the streets and worked in the informal economy, which included selling their body as a sexual commodity," she outlined.
According to Dr. Dunn, most children who are involved in the trade were not attending school regularly or not all, were exposed to hard drugs and possible drug addiction, suffered from mental illness associated with depression, psychological pressure, stress, tension and physical illness from the need to find employment to care for family members.
She said they were also exposed to increased health and safety risks through violent encounters with clients, gang rape, physical and mental abuse and sexual harrassment.
SELLING SERVICES
With the proliferation of the sex trade, the business of massage parlours have taken on much popularity.
On a daily basis, the classified ads section of regular newspapers are lined with ads of women portrayed in suggestive positions and garments selling the services of these establishments.
Portmore, St. Catherine, a large suburban municipality considered to be an extension of Kingston, now has what is popularly referred to as a "red light" district along the Port Henderson Road.
This is so as the number of motels, go-go clubs, bars and other entertainment joints providing services of a sexual nature multiply at a rapid pace. The strip is especially popular on weekends when these establishments go all out to please their customers.
RISKS
Just recently, a 15-year-old exotic dancer who admitted to selling sex was removed by the police from a popular night spot along the strip.
The study also highlighted the problem of young girls involved in relationships with older men, popularly known as "sugar daddies" and young boys involved with older women, referred to as "sugar mummies".
Dr. Dunn noted that "many of the activities associated with children being involved in sexual activities for gain are likely to harm the psychological health, longevity, safety or morals of children."
She highlighted, too, the huge risks in contracting sexually transmitted infections (STI) and HIV/AIDS. "The range of sexual activities in which children were engaged has far-reaching implications for their education, health, moral values, self-esteem and development," she said.
The problem of children involved in sex work was found to be more prevalent in areas such as Negril and Sav-la-mar, Westmoreland; Montego Bay, St. James; Spanish Town and Portmore, St. Catherine and Kingston.
As the concerns mount, however, Ms. Blaine said her organisation in collaboration with several similar organisations were working to establish new measures to effectively address the problem.
"We are looking to see if we can get funding to begin to do the necessary research into the matter" as the problem of children being sexually exploited.
