They might even come from upper middle class families, but they do not have adults who care about them. They lack self esteem and pimps can spot that so easily. Children who are abused or neglected are set up for the manipulations of the pimp. They respond to unrealistic lures-lines like 'Oh, you're so pretty. Outreach workers note that pimps are working in suburban malls, recreation areas, and around high schools and colleges, as well as in internet chat rooms.
Girls are at risk of pregnancy and additional abuse as a result of pregnancy.
Tragically, the worldwide fear of AIDS appears to be one of the factors explaining why adults are sexually exploiting children as well as one of the consequences. People reason that a young prostitute is less likely to be infected with disease than an older prostitute. Sexually active children actually are at greater risk of being infected by STDs and the HIV virus than a mature adult because their body tissues are more easily damaged. The United Nations estimates that more than 50 percent of new HIV infections currently are occurring in people between the ages of 15 and 24. The immediate danger posed by prostitution is the physical, mental and emotional violence of pimps and madams and customers.