Kabul , Afghanistan ( CNN ) -- A young boy dressed in women 's clothing , his face caked in make-up , dances the night away for a crowd of men . The bells on his feet chime away , mimicking the entertainment and sexual appeal of female dancers . But there is no mistaking his pubescent body and face as he concentrates , focusing on every step in order to please his master and his master 's guests . This all played out in a video that CNN obtained from a person involved in the parties . The boy is but one youth among many throughout the country forced into an age-old underground tradition known as `` bacha bazi , '' or `` boy play , '' in which young boys are taken from their families , made to dance and used as sex slaves by powerful men . The number of boys involved is unknown -- the practice has been going on for centuries , in a country where such practices are overshadowed by conflict and war . `` It 's pretty much unappreciated by [ the ] society , unaccepted and illegal , '' said Mohammad Musa Mahmodi of the Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission , one of the few organizations in the country working to end `` bacha bazi . '' Islamic scholars have denounced `` bacha bazi '' as immoral but the practice continues in Afghanistan , where the government is in the throes of an increasingly bloody battle with insurgent Taliban militants and is also working to recover from decades of conflict . The abuse stays on the backburner of issues in Afghanistan . People are aware of it , but they do n't really talk about it . Almost everyone in the country is coping with some level of injustice , and they are just trying to survive . It is widely known among the population that , most of the time it is commanders , high-ranking officials and their friends who partake in the abuse of the boys . `` It continues because of the culture of impunity and lack of legal provision against this practice , '' Mahmodi explained . Farhad,19 , and Jamel , 20 , are two grown dancers who were forced into `` bacha bazi '' about five years ago . Farhad was 13 when his older neighbor tricked him into coming to his home . He was made to watch a sex tape and then raped . After the brutal assault , he was taken to another location where he was locked up and used as a sex slave for five months . `` I got used to him , '' Farhad said , trying to explain why he stayed with his neighbor after the traumatizing experience . `` He would sometimes take me to parties , and sometimes other places . I was with him all the time , '' he said . In Afghan society the victims of rape and assault -- - both male and female -- - are often persecuted and punished rather than the perpetrator . The shame forces boys like Farhad to continue in leading such lifestyles , even when they have the chance to break away . Jamel , Farhad 's friend and dance partner , is now married but he was the `` bacha bereesh '' -- or `` boy without a beard '' -- of a powerful warlord who has since left the country . He said the only reason he continues to dance is to provide for his younger brothers and sisters . `` I make them study , dress them , feed them . Any money I make I spend on my family . I do n't want them to be like this , be like me , '' he said , brushing his shoulder length hair away from his eyes , framing his thin oval face . Farhad and Jamel say their families know what is going on now but are powerless to stop it -- in fact they need the money and income they make . Both Jamel and Farhad look and act more like women than men , a trait that can be deadly in Afghanistan 's male-dominated society . Even the police ca n't be counted on for protection . Farhad said that he was taken from a party by four police officers one night and almost gang raped at the station Before their commander walked in and stopped the assault . But then , `` He said if I wanted to be set free I should give him my money and my mobile , '' Farhad said . `` I had no real choice , so I gave him my money and mobile . '' The boys said they are continuously threatened , beaten and raped by men who attend the parties they dance at ; parties fueled by alcohol and drugs . `` The nights we go out , we are scared , '' said , Jamel , who is the more talkative of the pair and the one who more resembles a woman . `` We always think about how we will be able to get out without someone attacking us . '' Despite the dangers , they continue to dance , making $ 30 for the night -- a night that usually ends in assault -- because they say it is the only thing they know and their only way to make money . There are no opportunities in Afghanistan for people like them . And once branded as men who danced as women , there is no turning back . `` We are not happy with this line of work , '' Jamel said . `` We say that it would be better if God could just kill us rather than living like this . ''
Young boys in Afghanistan are used as sex slaves through `` bacha bazi '' or `` boy play '' Human rights group : Problem is not appreciated or accepted by society . Issue has very little profile in a country torn apart by war and conflict . One teen was 13 when his neighbor made him watch a sex tape , then raped him .