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Poster for Very Young Girls

Very Young Girls

In the United States, the average age of entry into the commercial sex industry is 13 years old.

2007 · 1h 23m · N/A Documentary
Directed by David Schisgall

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Overview

Very Young Girls, whose title reflects the fact that in the United States the average age of entry into prostitution is just thirteen. The film takes us into the work of a former sexually exploited youth-turned-activist named Rachel Lloyd, who started the New York City organization GEMS (Girls Educational and Mentoring Services) to help victimized young women escape their pimps and find another way of life.

Director and cast

Critics on Rotten Tomatoes

Top critics, in their words

All reviews
70%
Tomatometer
Fresh

Adopting a confessional, direct-to-camera interview style for most of its running time, this unvarnished verite documentary about teenage prostitutes in New York City resolutely resists the urge to dramatize. The heartbreaking stories are drama enough.

Jeannette Catsoulis, New York Times
Fresh

This fly-on-the-wall doc about underage prostitution and the efforts of NYC outreach worker Rachel Lloyd to help girls leave the life is flawed but profoundly disturbing.

Maitland McDonagh, Time Out New York
Fresh

[A] heartbreaking look at the trafficking of underage girls in New York City.

Michelle Orange, Village Voice
Rotten

Simply doesn't dig deep enough to generate fresh outrage.

Joe Leydon, Variety

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