- Your friend is having problems at home or at school and she is approached by a pimp (although she does not know he is a pimp at the time).

- The pimp acts like a “boyfriend” who gains your friend’s trust through promises and by telling her he really cares about her, maybe he even says he loves her.

- He takes her to parties and introduces her to drinking and drugs.

- The pimp introduces her to people he calls his friends (they are other pimps, recruiters, prostitutes and sexually exploited youth) and pretty soon your friend is being slowly separated from her family and her friends, she is hardly ever at school, and she seems different to you.

- Her boyfriend (pimp) has a lot of control over your friend and she seems to be afraid of him and his friends at times.

- Soon you hear she has been forced into the Sex Trade and is working for her pimp.

OR

- Your friend is having problems at home or at school and she is befriended by a recruiter (although she does not know she or he is a recruiter at the time)

- The recruiter, a street wise guy or girl, is paying attention to your friend, and your friend thinks this is cool.

- The recruiter gradually gains your friend’s trust, and temps her with stories about the exciting, glamorous life of the Sex Trade, where she will make lots of money, have beautiful clothes, jewellery, an apartment etc.

- The female recruiter gradually introduces your friend to the Sex Trade, by having your friend “spotting” (keeping watch for a “bad date” by taking license numbers, or keeping watch for the police while the recruiter does business with a customer).

- The recruiter introduces your friend to the pimp and she is forced into the Sex Trade (the recruiter will often receive money from the pimp for “delivering” a new youth).

(It is important to remember that both male and female youth can be recruited into the Sex Trade, and both males and females can be pimps or recruiters).

What would you do? Who could you call? Who can help you and your friend?

       This Web Site is designed to help youth find resources in Victoria that can help. Youth are able to provide support to other youth at risk. Youth will often tell their peers what is happening in their lives before they will ask adults for help and support. It is important that all youth be aware of danger signs and supports available for youth at risk.

       Please see the List of resources where you or your friend can call for help.
Please tell someone you can help; either your parents, a teacher, a counsellor etc. Saying nothing will not help your friend, in fact it may put he or she in further danger as they become more involved in the Sex Trade and are exposed to violence, drug and alcohol addiction, illness etc.