Sex abuse counsellors say girls as young as nine are the victims of child sex trafficking within New Zealand.

One story has emerged of a nine year old who was tied up by her mother and forced to submit to men.

Researcher Natalie Thorburn told Larry Williams she has been speaking with victims.

"Often the quite bad perpetrators are previously boyfriends and insisting that they do things they don't want to do and using violence and coercion when they don't."

Thorburn said New Zealand girls are being forced to sell their bodies to men.

"In any situation where young people are being raped repeatedly by a number of men so that one person can make a profit form it is a problem. It's impossible to gauge the extent of the problem, it is kept secret and it is hidden."

LISTEN ABOVE AS NATALIE THORBURN SPEAKS WITH LARRY WILLIAMS

How to get help

If you're in danger now: 

• Phone the police on 111 or ask neighbours of friends to ring for you.
• Run outside and head for where there are other people.
• Scream for help so that your neighbours can hear you.
• If you are being abused, remember it's not your fault. Violence is never okay.

Where to go for help or more information:

• NZ Police
• The Harbour, for those affected by harmful sexual behaviour 
• Help Auckland 24/7 helpline 09 623 1700
• Rape Prevention Education 
• Wellington Help 24/7 crisisline 04 801 6655, push 0
• Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse
• Women's Refuge: Free national crisis line operates 24/7 - 0800 REFUGE or 0800 733 843 www.womensrefuge.org.nz
• Shine, free national helpline 9am- 11pm every day - 0508 744 633 www.2shine.org.nz 
• Shakti: Providing specialist cultural services for African, Asian and Middle Eastern women and their children. Crisis line 24/7 0800 742 584
• White Ribbon: Aiming to eliminate men's violence towards women, focusing this year on sexual violence and the issue of consent. www.whiteribbon.org.nz