Which term best describes a minor involved in a commercial sex act and cannot be charged with prostitution?

• A. Juvenile delinquent
• B. Minors in prostitution
• C. Sexually exploited child
• D. Victim of coercion

Answer: (C)

The situation tests using victim-centered terminology for a minor involved in a commercial sex act. Minors cannot be charged with prostitution; they are treated as victims of exploitation and trafficking. The term “sexually exploited child” precisely communicates that the child is being used in a sexual act for someone else’s gain and needs protection and services, not punishment.

This label emphasizes the child's exploited status and the protective response required, rather than framing the child as a criminal. Other terms fall short: calling the minor a juvenile delinquent or referring to “minors in prostitution” suggests fault or criminality or uses outdated language, while “victim of coercion” can be accurate in some cases but doesn’t fully capture the ongoing exploitation and the trafficking context. The label “sexually exploited child” best reflects both the abuse and the appropriate, supportive approach to the situation.