Child Prostitution and Pornography Child sexual abuse has only recently become a public concern in the United States, girls and boys have been used to satisfy the sexual desires of adults for much of our history. Castration of boys, fondling, forced genital or anal intercourse, and sale for prostitution have been common throughout much of Western history. “It was not until the 16th century that laws were enacted in England to protect girls and boys under the age of ten from rape and sodomy.” (Knudsen,106) p In the nineteenth century, after the denunciation of the "white slave" trade, in which young girls were sold or kidnapped and forced into prostitution, the concept of "age of consent" developed in England, defining the age at which a girl could consent to sexual intercourse initially at ten, then at twelve and finally, in 1885, at sixteen." (Knudson,106) Over the past decade, the availability of literature on sexual violence has increased dramatically significant However, clinical data increasingly suggests that boys may be exposed to the same risk of sexual victimization, as they are the preferred targets of habitual pedophiles and victims of child sex rings. Law enforcement investigations have verified that i Pedophiles almost always collect child pornography or child erotica. Pedophiles don't just view pornography: they keep it and represent their most cherished sexual fantasies. They usually collect books, magazines, articles, newspapers, negatives, films, slides, photographs, albums, etc. drawings, audio cassettes, personal letters, video cassettes and equipment, diaries, clothing, sexual aids, souvenirs, toys, games, directories, paintings, logs and photographic equipment. “More educated and more affluent pedophiles tend to have larger collections. Pedophiles whose living or working conditions afford them a greater degree of privacy tend to have larger collections. Because collections are built up over a period of time, older pedophiles tend to have larger collections. Pedophiles with economic means are increasingly turning to videotape systems. They are even converting their books, magazines, photographs and films into video cassettes. For less than $1,500, a pedophile can have his own video camera and two VCRs, giving him the ability to produce and duplicate child pornography and erotica without fear of detection. (Lanning, 236-7) There are four types of collectors: (a) closet, (b) isolated, (c) cottage, and (d) commercial. þThe closet collector keeps his collection secret and is not actively involved in child molestation. Materials are usually purchased discreetly through commercial channels.