Seksualinis vaikų išnaudojimas: charakteristikos, priežastys, identifikavimas ir prevencija

Sexual exploitation of children is a form of child victimization that is one of the most difficult to identify and can have a wide range of expressions, e.g., “consensual” sexual relation in exchange for a fee, child pornography, child trafficking, etc. Numerous studies have shown that child victims are particularly vulnerable. Victimization, especially sexually exploitation, can have an impact on the formation of a child’s personality, his or her academic performance, onset of delinquency or antisocial behavior, etc. Moreover, children are not able to protect themselves against their perpetrators, they possess no self-defense skills and are completely dependent upon adults (parents, caregivers, etc.). Hence, the phenomenon of child sexual exploitation requires a comprehensive understanding and analysis. Using focus group method research was carried out aimed at exploring the knowledge, understanding, opinions and beliefs related to the issue of sexual exploitation of children in Lithuania among different society groups. The characteristics of the victims and perpetrators, causes of child sexual exploitation, identification problems incases related to child sexual exploitation, effective prevention strategies were discussed. The research revealed that girls are more likely to become the victims of sexual exploitation. However, the participants of the focus groups noted that the number of incidents involving sexual exploitation of boys is greater than the official figures. Boys hide the fact of victimization and take a defensive position more often than girls and begin showing abusive behavior themselves. It has been noticed that children are mostly sexually exploited by people in their immediate environment. Thus, the environment which is supposed to ensure safety for a child can actually be the source of the greatest threat. Child sexual exploitation is one of the hardiest-to-identify forms of victimization. In most cases it is determined by the causes not related to children: keeping the experience of sexual exploitation secret within the family, the wish to defend the perpetrator, threats towards the child, children’s level of maturity and inability to perceive exploitation they have experienced, feelings of guilt and shame a child experiences. The participants of the research proposed measures aimed at raising children awareness, improving economic position of women within society and training of specialists working with children or raising public awareness about the phenomenon of child sexual exploitation. However, even greater attention should be paid to the prevention of child sexual exploitation (in particular abuse against at-risk children, e.g., those living in foster homes). it should be noted that only a complex set of measures may be effective in prevention of child sexual exploitation phenomenon. Keywords: victimisation, sexual exploitation of children, victim, perpetrator, prevention.