The rapid assessment of the commercial sexual exploitation of children uncovers the working conditions, sentiments and aspirations of 44 child-respondents from Western Visayas (Region VI) — 11 boys and 33 girls, the youngest of whom was an 11-year-old girl. A considerable number of these children came from dysfunctional families, with significant tendencies toward alcoholism and domestic violence.

Working as breadwinners for their impoverished families, the children miss out on opportunities to attend school, are exposed to physical and psycho-social hazards, and are prone to sexually-transmitted diseases.