 " Survival sex " occurs when a child engages in sex acts in order to obtain money , food , shelter , clothing , or other items needed in order to survive . In these situations , the transaction typically only involves the child and the customer ; children engaged in survival sex are usually not controlled or directed by pimps , madams , or other traffickers . Any individual who pays for sex with a child , whether the child is controlled by a pimp or is engaged in survival sex , can be prosecuted . 
