Not everyone who says you are beautiful or special is looking for a relationship. That is one way that teenagers and young adults can be used. That special person may be using you in order to exploit you and make money. When someone pretends to be interested in you and then asks you to do things for them that make you uncomfortable in order to make them money, this is called grooming. It can be a slow process of getting you to trust that person so you will do what they ask, even if it is humiliating, frightening and painful. That person makes you believe you are doing it because of love. The person trying to exploit you can be your age, or can be an adult. That person can be male or female. That person may be a pimp or may be recruiting for a pimp. It may start out as a relationship in which the other person makes you feel special and buys you things. They may tell you that your parents and your friends are not really there for you. They may also use threats to get you to do things that you do not want to do.
If you, or someone you know may be in a dangerous situation, make sure to talk to someone you really can trust, such as a school counselor, teacher, a friend or your parents. Do not let embarrassment or fear of being judged stop you from getting help! This can be a dangerous situation and you are not to blame for what has happened. Sexual exploitation is never the victims fault, even if you are being told that you are doing something illegal or wrong.