Child sexual abuse/exploitation and LGBTQI+ children: Context, links, vulnerabilities, gaps, challenges and priorities
Issued Date
2024-04-01
Resource Type
eISSN
29501938
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-105022845004
Journal Title
Child Protection and Practice
Volume
1
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Child Protection and Practice Vol.1 (2024)
Suggested Citation
Capaldi M., Schatz J., Kavenagh M. Child sexual abuse/exploitation and LGBTQI+ children: Context, links, vulnerabilities, gaps, challenges and priorities. Child Protection and Practice Vol.1 (2024). doi:10.1016/j.chipro.2024.100001 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/113360
Title
Child sexual abuse/exploitation and LGBTQI+ children: Context, links, vulnerabilities, gaps, challenges and priorities
Author(s)
Author's Affiliation
Corresponding Author(s)
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Abstract
Child sexual exploitation and abuse (CSEA) is a pervasive issue affecting children globally, cutting across socio-economic, ethnic, and cultural lines. While much research has historically emphasized the victimization of girls, emerging studies highlight the vulnerability of boys and underscore the neglected intersections of CSEA with LGBTQI+ statuses. LGBTQI+ youth are particularly susceptible to CSEA due to societal discrimination, stigmatization, and biases stemming from socio-cultural, religious, and family contexts. Notably, transgender children and youth face exacerbated risks, marked by alarming rates of stigma, violence, and discrimination, often termed transphobia. From an examination of the academic, evidence-based literature, this discussion paper sheds light on harmful cultural practices (such as the ‘dancing boys’ of South Asia who may exhibit feminine characteristics and are frequently exposed to the risk of sexual violence); myths (surrounding homosexuality); religious doctrines (which generally approach these issues within a discourse of morality and sin); and socio-ecological factors that collectively increase the risk of CSEA for LGBTQI+ children - with a focus on the developing world. Furthermore, while the socio-ecological and resilience frameworks offer promising avenues for understanding and addressing these vulnerabilities, glaring data gaps persist, especially beyond developed countries. The paper concludes with identifying the compelling need for robust research and a comprehensive understanding of how CSEA impacts LGBTQI+ children worldwide, which can guide targeted interventions and support.