Article also published in the "Women's Studies Journal" 19(2) 2005 : 32-40.

This article presents the results of a New Zealand study exploring the incidence of violence and childhood sexual abuse among people who became involved in underage commercial sexual activity. Respondents who became prostitutes before the age of 18 years were asked about childhood sexual abuse and about sexual and physical assault since beginning commercial sexual activity. Questionnaires were distributed and/or interviews were held in the Auckland, Northland and Waikato regions. Forty seven forms were completed. In the study over half of the respondents disclosed childhood sexual abuse and over three quarters had been subjected to at least one sexual assault. Verbal and physical abuse was also common. No sub-group or ethnicity was less likely to be assaulted (but rates of childhood sexual abuse were higher than those of a similar South Island study that did not include Māori, Pacific or transgender participants). No clear trend emerged as to whether those who were involved in commercial sexual activity at an earlier age were more prone to disclose sexual assault than those than began later. Few of those who had been sexually assaulted since engaging in commercial sexual activity sought or received assistance. Help was generally received only if hospital treatment was necessitated.

ECPAT 2004