Sexual exploitation is when a person is forced to take part in sexual activity against her will. Often it is in exchange for money but sometimes access to sex is given in exchange for other things for which the victim gets no payment.
Many consider prostitution the same as sexual exploitation. To sell prostitution is legal in Iceland 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 don't receive medical assistance due to sexually transmitted diseases or other injuries caused by sexual activity with strangers.
- Somebody doesn't allow you to protect yourself against sexually transmitted diseases if you decide to go into prostitution.
