Study reveals male child sexual abuse in Puri

I previously posted about the invisibility of the sexual trafficking of boys. It is rarely discussed and even more rarely acknowledged. However, just because something is not talked about does not mean it does not occur. The reality is that the sexual exploitation of boys is far more common than is generally believed:

A study on male child sexual abuse in pilgrim tourism centres in the country has revealed that Puri was one of the places where male children were being sexually exploited by tourists of different hues.

The study was conducted by Equations, a Bangalore-based organisation, at three locations such as Tirupati, Puri and Guruvayoor. In Odisha, Equations partnered with People’s Cultural Centre and Rush to conduct the study in Puri.

According to the study that was released here on Tuesday, male children are primarily in demand in Puri as the families believe that there is less risk with male children selling sex than girls due to social stigma.

“Where a parent or an older sibling is already involved in the sex trade, other children are more at risk of becoming involved.”

What is truly sad is the affect the abuse has on the boys:

According to the study, all the children explained poverty as one of the factors responsible for their situation.

“I am staying with Joseph (a French tourist) for the last five years. He says that he will take me with him.  I have sex with him regularly. Initially it was painful, I used to cry. Now it is a daily routine. He gives money to my family. He has sex with other children also. Sometimes, he wants us to have sex with each other (peer children). I am just waiting for the day when he will take me with him and so I agree with whatever he does to me and my family,” said Raju, a 15-year-old boy, according to the study.

According to the article, sexual exploitation of boys in Puri is so pervasive that may even be sex tour packages offered by the people who remain in Puri while conducting business. The abuse is also blatant, with sex tourists approaching the boys or the boys’ family directly. The Women and Child Welfare department claims to be aware of the problem, but apparently has done little to actually address it. The police go one step further and deny any such abuse even occurs. The abuse also may not be limited to foreigners, but with locals and neighboring countries.

No one really knows how pervasive the sexual exploitation of boys is. Few studies and little research is available on the matter and virtually all the resources dealing with international sexual abuse and human trafficking are focuses solely on female victims. Male victims of kidnapping, forced labor and sexual exploitation go largely unnoticed. While there are some organizations that reach out to boys and men who have been victimized, those groups lack the global notice and global backing that similar organizations that assists women receive.