A survey in Fiji has found that 33 percent of women engaged in the sex trade are school students.
The survey was carried out by the Save the Children Fund whose director of programmes, Margaret Logavatu says many of these students are those from outer islands sent to Suva for education.
Save the Children National Director, Irshad Ali, says the organisation was shocked by the survey.
And, he says there is a general feeling that this sort of trade is increasing for many reasons.
"And we were more surprised to see the tactics used - the techniques used - and our local people engaged in activities and exploitation of children."
Save the Children National Director, Irshad Ali.
The Fiji Women's Crisis Centre has called for immediate action by schools and responsible authorities to stop the practice.
Religious groups such as the Seventh Day Adventist Church and the Fiji Muslim League have expressed alarm at the results of the survey and called for the eradication of the problem.