THE real level of child prostitution in Australia has been underestimated for much too long.
As Salesian Father Chris Riley from Youth Off The Streets points out, this has a lot to do with the term ‘child prostitution’ itself.
Attitudes would quickly change if this crime was recognised for what it really is ‘ child abuse.
Children enter prostitution for many reasons, such as poverty and drugs. Often they are easy prey for those who seek to exploit them.
Those who take advantage of the littlest ones in our society should be given the toughest penalties, not the children themselves.
Everyone has a duty to protect our country’s children. Turning a blind eye to the problem is tantamount to complicity.
