Protection of Boys from Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children in Nepal

Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children in Nepal.

Boys too are Sexually Abused and Exploited !!! Be AWARE

Nepal is one of the poorest and least developed countries in the world, with close to a fourth of its population living below the national poverty line. However, political instability and poverty and has hampered the delivery of basic service. These issues contribute to the breakdown of family and community networks, which most severely impacts women and children. Many rural populations have been displaced or moved to urban areas amidst hops for jobs. Many unemployed women and girls are particularly vulnerable to CSEC, as well as street children.

Commercial Sexual Exploitation children is the exploitation by an adult with respect to a child or an adolescent-female or male-under 18 years old accompanied by  payment  in money or in kind to the child or adolescent ( male or female) or to one or more third parties.

What is CSEC: Commercial sexual exploitation of children is the exploitation by an adult with respect to a child or adolescent female or male under 18 years old, accompanied by payment in money or in kind to the child or adolescent (male or female) or to one more third parties.

Boy’s involvement in CSEC: In the context of Nepal regarding to the homosexuality of or male having sex with male still very hideous matter in social impression. Homosexuality even suffering with a low esteem and dignity in case of open up. So this is very great complication even in Nepal though LGBTI in the South Asia is one of the developing countries like Nepal.

Boys in CSEC are know as

  • MSM : “Men who have sex with men” (MSM)
  • GAY: Attraction to the same sex (men to men)
  • Bisexual: Men who are sexually attracted to both male and female
  • Transgender:
  • METI : Effeminate men attracted to the same sex who some times cross dressed have a receptive role during anal sex
  • MSW – Male Sex Workers
  • Straight – for financial purposes/economic benefits

Few compared to girls and women male prostitution does exist in Kathmandu valley, but customers are primarily contacted in public areas such as parks or are referred to male sex workers through peers and pimps. Few bars cater to male who have sex with males (MSMs), out of which some young adults prostitutes solicit customers. Many boys particularly on and of the street subjected to non-commercial and commercial sexual abuse and exploitation. Children with different sexual orientation, Gay and some transgender community are also subjected sexual exploitation and abuse.

 Boys and girls engaged in CSEC who want to exit broadly face some of the same kinds of challenges, including:

  • Accommodation/homelessness:
  • Addictions: few, not all, abuse drugs or alcohol. However, for those who have drug-use problems or addictions, the first stage of exiting entails getting into a detox program and/or treatment.
  • Dealing with the emotional impact of the work: many, though not all, may have experienced multiple work-related violence.
  • Unemployment and financial concerns: for whom sex-work is their sole or major source of income, exiting is made more difficult by employment and financial concerns.

 Causes…

  • Unaware about sexuality and gender identity (13 to16)
  • Defunct Family
  • Easy access to money
  • Previous experience/abuse on physical or sexual abuse
  • Curiosity and experiment
  • Influence by technology (internet and movie)
  • Unemployment
  • High time – night entertainment activities (dance bar, pub, disco, night club etc)
  • To fulfill certain basic needs
  • Street involved culture/economy
  • Lack of awareness on the issues to parents
  • Easy access of internet

 There are some differences between boys and girls engagement in CSEC, there are, also significant similarities. A number of both girls and boys may feel little need to change or stop transacting in sex. Given that situation, they are likely to need and will benefit from a range of programs and services that reduce the potential for negative consequences and harms arising from their sexual engagements; and keeps them as safe and emotionally, psychologically, socially and physically healthy as possible until they are ready to stop trading sex for benefits.

 Boys who are unlikely to stop trading sex within the immediate or short-term; are very likely to need and will benefit from programs and services that support boy’s sexual and reproductive health support, healthy psycho-social development and emerging sexuality providing boys with personal growth and development that promotes safe maturation develop and extend boy’s life skills including‘ survival’ skills, facilitate and secure boys’ birth registration, I.D. or citizenship card, and identify boy’s vulnerabilities, strengths, their needs, and resources. For boys who want to stop trading sex for benefits, in addition to programs and services that are likely to keep them as safe and healthy as possible, primarily need services or programs that provide employment or access to other income-generating activities, or provide schooling, education or vocational training leading to secure employment, together with the provision of support and assistance to overcome or redress their current problems or difficulties.

Currently SathSath has been suppoted to work on CSEC issues in Nepal from LUSH Cosmetics Inc.