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Sexual exploitation of male youth: background characteristics and needs from a life-course perspective

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 August 2024

G. Mercera ,
S. Leijdesdorff ,
E. Heynen  and
T. van Amelsvoort
G. Mercera
Affiliation:
1Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, Maastricht University, Maastricht
S. Leijdesdorff
Affiliation:
1Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, Maastricht University, Maastricht
E. Heynen
Affiliation:
2Clinical Psychology, Open University, Heerlen, Netherlands
T. van Amelsvoort*
Affiliation:
1Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, Maastricht University, Maastricht
*
*Corresponding author.

Abstract

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Introduction

Sexual exploitation is a human rights violation that has a detrimental impact on the psychological-, physical- and social well-being of victims. Sexually exploited male youth are prevalent, yet underrepresented in clinical practice, policy and research. There are multiple barriers that often prevent male youth to disclose and to seek or receive support, such as gender norms, limited awareness of victimization and feelings of guilt and shame.

Objectives

By gaining more insight into the background and clinical characteristics of male victims and their care and support needs, this study aims to raise awareness and to better inform policymakers, care- and educational professionals on adequate prevention and intervention efforts.

Methods

Twenty-six male youth at high-risk or victims of sexual exploitation participated in this qualitative study. By means of semi-structured interviews and case-file analyses, data was collected by to identify risk and protective factors in their life-course and care and support needs.

Results

Results indicate that several vulnerabilities (e.g. previous experiences of abuse and neglect, mental health problems, household dysfunction, social rejection, running away, substance use) and a lack of positive and supportive relationships led male youth into high-risk situations. Among these were involvement in pay dates, survival sex and criminality, which contributed to victimization. Experiences of stigmatization were often a barrier to express vulnerabilities and to disclose victimization. There was a wide variety in care and support needs, including peer-to-peer support, therapy, support with day-to-day practices and anonymous support.

Conclusions

These results will contribute to adequate prevention and intervention strategies and meet the unique needs of male youth at risk for, or victim of sexual exploitation.

Disclosure of Interest

G. Mercera Grant / Research support from: This research was funded by the Dutch Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sports (grant number: 328604)., S. Leijdesdorff: None Declared, E. Heynen: None Declared, T. van Amelsvoort: None Declared

Type
Abstract
Information
European Psychiatry , Volume 67 , Special Issue S1: Abstracts of the 32nd European Congress of Psychiatry , April 2024 , pp. S253
Creative Commons
Creative Common License - CCCreative Common License - BY
This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted re-use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2024. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of European Psychiatric Association
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