What is sexual exploitation?
When a person is forced to take part in sexual activity against her will it is called sexual exploitation. Often it is in exchange for money but sometimes for other things but the victim gets no payment.
Many consider prostitution the same as sexual exploitation. In Iceland it is legal to sell prostitution but it is illegal for someone else to benefit from selling access to a person’s body. Hotel rooms, clubs, and private homes are examples of places where victims are forced to sell their bodies. Perpetrators have great mental control over their victims and often use that fear to get what they want.
Sexual exploitation can be when:
- Access to your body is being sold without you wanting it.
- You are threatened and forced to continue selling your body against your will.
- You do not receive medical assistance for sexually transmitted diseases or other injuries caused by sexual activity with strangers.
- Somebody does not allow you to protect yourself against sexually transmitted diseases if you decide to go into prostitution.
Women and their children, who are experiencing domestic violence, rape or human trafficking, have a safe place to go, the Women’s Shelter.
