Sexual Exploitation
If the prevention of sexual exploitation is to be addressed, the root causes must first be acknowledged and understood. The causes of childhood sexual exploitation among the Aboriginal population are associated with intergenerational traumas due to the residential school experience and the 60’s scoop, to racism and systemic discrimination, social exclusion, and perhaps most importantly, deep-seated negative societal attitudes.
The Challenge
If the prevention of sexual exploitation is to be addressed, the root causes must first be acknowledged and understood. The causes of childhood sexual exploitation among the Aboriginal population are associated with intergenerational traumas due to the residential school experience and the 60’s scoop, to racism and systemic discrimination, social exclusion, and perhaps most importantly, deep-seated negative societal attitudes.
The Challenge
The very nature of exploitation, with the majority of the predators being non-Aboriginal males, and over 80% of the children suffering this abuse being of Aboriginal descent, is indicative of larger societal, cultural and gender issues (Saskatchewan Children’s Advocate Office). Sexual abuse of children on the streets is simply the tip of the iceberg of what are much deeper problems in society (Special Committee to Prevent the Abuse and Exploitation of Children through the Sex Trade, 2001).
Research shows that Aboriginal children and youth are over-represented in sexual exploitation. (Child, Family and Community Safety Sexual Exploitation Toolkit, 2007) In some Canadian cities, up to 90% of the street-involved sexually exploited youth are Aboriginal. The majority are Aboriginal females between 15 and 18 years of age, some are 10 to 12 years or younger. (Committee on Prostitution and the Sexual Exploitation of Youth, 2007) Many sexually exploited Aboriginal youth face realities of poverty, drug use and abuse, homelessness, violence and abuse, racism, and other impacts of colonization. Impacts of colonization are intergenerational and can be magnified in children and youth.
The Program
The NWAC is concerned about the high levels of sexual exploitation of Aboriginal women and girls occurring right across Canada. Significant within the area of sexual exploitation is that of sexual trafficking, specifically the domestic trafficking of Aboriginal women and girls that does not receive the attention it deserves by the Aboriginal community and law enforcement services. All too often, this type of trafficking is labeled prostitution or sex work, thereby punishing the victim and further limiting the ability to assist them in escaping a system that inhibits their freedoms and rights as Canadian citizens.
The NWAC Health Unit is of the mind that the sexual exploitation and trafficking of Aboriginal women and girls must be a priority and that efforts to identify the linkages that expose this population group to these circumstances must be addressed.
The Opportunity
The NWAC health unit operates utilizing a dual lens, the Indigenous world-view and the western world view to health priorities and policies and healthy living. This mechanism enables a better understanding of the underlying challenges, issues and root causes that place this population at such high risk. Efforts to establish linkages between key pieces are currently underway to better understand, address, and work towards policy and legislative change. One specific project that explores several key linkages is being undertaken with regards to Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder - Sexual Exploitation – Gangs.
As a national Aboriginal organization with Provincial territorial member associations, NWAC is uniquely situated to respond to and inform the Canadian public about issues relating to the sexual exploitation and trafficking of Aboriginal women and girls. Aboriginal women and girls traditionally were highly prized for their life giving and nurturing ability and ensured the health and longevity of the Aboriginal population. This comprehension motivates a need to restore healthy sexuality both mentally and physically among Aboriginal girls and women, in an effort to reduce the incidents of sexual exploitation, abuse and trafficking.