Child and Adolescent Commercial Sexual Exploitation in Mexico: The Exploiters and the State
Date
2017
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Dignity: A Journal on Sexual Exploitation and Violence
Abstract
Commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC) is a form of violence in which children, mainly girls and
female adolescents, are reduced to sexual objects for rent. In this study, we argue that the concept of who is an
exploiter must be broadened to include everyone who directly or indirectly benefits from CSEC. This paper is
based on life stories of 10 female residents from a shelter, which we call Casa Libertad (a fictitious name) in
Mexico City, for female victims of violence. Researchers also used semi-structured interviews with experts on
CSEC to examine the exploiters' profiles. The research challenges the social representation of all exploiters as
members of criminal trafficking networks. Some of the girls did not have direct exploiters, but often acted on
their own. Among the victims who had exploiters, relatives and acquaintances played a central role. Our data
revealed that the Mexican State, which formally prevents exploitation and assists victims, also contributes by
action by not enforcing CSEC existing laws. The State also does not provide sufficient services to victims and
has in its ranks sex buyers and abusers.
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Keywords
CSEC, commercial sexual exploitation, Mexico, International Resources, law
Citation
Frias, S. M., & Gómez-Zaldívar, M. (2017). Child and Adolescent Commercial Sexual Exploitation in Mexico: The Exploiters and the State. Dignity: A Journal on Sexual Exploitation and Violence, 2(4), 9.