Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Adolescents in Europe: A Hidden and Unrecognized Problem

Noemí Pereda, Ph.D., is a tenured associate professor of Victimology at the University of Barcelona, Spain. Her major areas of research interest are developmental victimology and psychological trauma in children and adolescents. Since 2009, she has headed the Research Group on Child and Adolescent Victimization (GReVIA) at the University of Barcelona.

This presentation explores commercial sexual exploitation (CSE) within the European context. CSE represents a form of sexual violence occurring across all regions and countries, impacting the most vulnerable children and adolescents. This social issue affects between 1% and 2.5% of European youth, with figures being notably higher among specific high-risk groups. The sex-for-survival perspective posits that a minor’s involvement in situations of sex with an adult, regardless of whether their motivation is economic or otherwise, is always a situation of exploitation. Data on the prevalence of sexual exploitation of adolescents (14 - 17 years) in Spain, as well as youth in residential centers within the welfare system, will be presented. The results underscore that CSE significantly impacts a segment of adolescents not confined to specific vulnerable groups but within the general population, emphasizing the urgency of addressing CSE through comprehensive interventions and preventative measures.

Given the topic, attendees should use judgment in deciding whether to attend.

Sponsored by the psychology department and the International Programs Office. Free and open to the public.