“And Boys Too” 10 Years Later: A Comparison Study of the ECPAT- USA and Boys Too Data

Author: Stone, Sandra; Connella, Amanda; Valentine, Colby & Reid, Joan

Abstract: Scant research exists that focuses on males as survivors of commercial sexual exploitation (CSE). Moreover, the unknown needs and services for males paired with a lack of understanding regarding the exploitation of males leads to criminal justice personnel viewing them as non-victims. A 2013 service-provider survey regarding the sexual exploitation of males by ECPAT-USA found that male survivors are vastly under reported, are at danger of significant health risks, receive fewer services, and the number of gay and transgender survivors has been overestimated in estimates of the total number of male survivors. The current study updated the 2013 ECPAT-USA report and expanded the scope by also exploring services for those exploited in labor trafficking and transgender individuals as well as service changes due to COVID-19. Ten years later service agencies report that little has changed regarding risk factors, negative impacts, and services available. Some variations in agency reports include notations of additional types of illicit drugs used by CSE males, mention of intellectual disability as a CSE risk factor, greater recognition of Internet usage (i.e. as a recruitment tool and means of exploitation), and reports of women and youth perpetrators. The findings of this study suggest that the awareness and services for male and transgender CSE survivors has not seen substantial change since the 2013 report. Thus, the current study aims to raise awareness of the continued need for increased services for male CSE survivors. The problems that CSE survivors face are severe, and a cultural shift is needed toward viewing males as victims too and deserving of services.

Keywords: commercial sexual exploitation, human trafficking, trafficking survivors, service providers, gender, male victims