The United Nations defines it as "the act of engaging or offering the services of a child to perform sexual acts for money or other consideration with that person or any other person". Several definitions have been proposed for prostitution of children.
In most jurisdictions, child prostitution is illegal as part of general prohibition on prostitution.Ĭhild prostitution usually manifests in the form of sex trafficking, in which a child is kidnapped or tricked into becoming involved in the sex trade, or survival sex, in which the child engages in sexual activities to procure basic essentials such as food and shelter. The term normally refers to prostitution of a minor, or person under the legal age of consent. Illegal under international law and national lawsĬhild prostitution is prostitution involving a child, and it is a form of commercial sexual exploitation of children. Statue of a young 19th-century prostituted child