Putting the pieces back together: a group intervention for sexually exploited adolescent girls

Domestic minor sex trafficking (DMST) is an emerging problem affecting adolescents, families, and communities throughout the United States. Despite a growing awareness of the problem, information regarding treatment is limited. This paper describes a pilot group intervention created for use with DMST victims, focusing specifically on areas that were critical to the development and life of the group: 1) providing education about DMST, 2) reducing shame and addressing stigma, 3) mutual aid, and 4) managing strong emotions through the development of new coping skills. Process examples are given to illustrate this pilot intervention, and recommendations for research and practice are discussed

Adversity and intervention needs among girls in residential care with experiences of commercial sexual exploitation

While the body of research on effective interventions for children and young people who experience commercial sexual exploitation is growing, much remains unknown regarding intervention needs, particularly in relation to the role of residential care in meeting those needs. In an effort to fill the gap in this research, this paper will report on a study comparing case files for girls victimized (n = 73) and not victimized (n = 62) by commercial sexual exploitation who were living in a residential care setting in a large southwestern city in the United States. Findings indicate that sexually exploited girls were more likely to report experiences of child sexual abuse, substance misuse/addiction, dating violence, and gang affiliation; they were also significantly more likely to run away from the group home facility and be identified as having an ‘unsuccessful discharge’. In the second part of the article we will consider the results of this study in the context of a wider discourse on how best to intervene in the lives of CSEC survivors in the United States and throughout the world

Victim or whore: The similarities and differences between victim’s experiences of domestic violence and sex trafficking

This research review addresses the similarities and differences between domestic violence and sex trafficking victimization. While there is evidence that domestic violence and sex trafficking often cooccur, there is a large disparity in the understanding and interventions utilized by law enforcement as well as the services available for victims of each crime despite the considerable overlap of victimization. This article explores current research regarding domestic violence and sex trafficking with a focus towards identifying areas of overlap and areas distinct to sex trafficking

Characteristics and predictors of self-mutilation: A study of incarcerated women

ABSTRACT Background Research on self-mutilating behaviour and incarcerated adults has found that nearly 50% of people in prison participated in i

“Curiosity and a Pimp”: exploring sex trafficking victimization in experiences of entering sex trade industry work among participants in a prostitution diversion program

This mixed-methods study explored entry into the sex trade industry and experiences of sex trafficking victimization among 478 adult women enrolled in a prostitution diversion program in a large southwestern state. Written responses to several open-ended survey questions were coded using a template approach to content analysis wherein a priori codes were identified based on characteristics of sex trafficking victimization identified in the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000 (U.S. Department of State, 2000). Findings revealed that approximately one third of participants (n = 161) described sex trafficking experiences on entry into the sex trade industry, and quantitative analysis revealed that women who experienced sex trafficking as part of entering the sex trade industry were more likely to report abuse during childhood and adulthood, to report gang involvement, and to be involved in multiple types of sex trade industry work. Implications for policy and practice are discussed

Female juvenile prostitutes: Exploring the relationship to substance use

This study examines the incidence of substance use and the differences in life characteristics, such as family relationships, demographics, and abuse history in a sample of 128 adolescent females charged with prostitution. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between drug and alcohol use and juvenile prostitution as well as looking at the differences between the juvenile female prostitutes who use drugs and alcohol compared to those who did not. Differences included the users of alcohol and drugs experienced a greater lack of supervision at home, more associated with negative peers, had higher rates of childhood abuse and neglect, and more often had been suspended or expelled from school. Implications for assessment, interventions and future research are discussed.Juvenile prostitution Substance abuse Female offenders Family disorganization

Invisible offenders: estimating online sex customers

Research on prostitution demand has well documented why men buy sex from girls and women, but there is very little understanding of the scope and scale of the issue. The lack of stable and valid measures of how many people buy sex from prostituted persons severely hinders the development of prevention and intervention efforts. This study developed a probability estimate of the population of active customers of online sex in the United States in a sample of 15 cities. In each city, the research team placed decoy online ads, advertising the sale of sexual services/prostitution, and collected text and voicemail data from potential sex purchasers. The resulting 677 phone numbers were analyzed using capture-recapture techniques to create an estimate of the number of online sex purchasers within each city. On average, within the 15 markets explored, 1 out of every 20 males over the age of 18 in a metropolitan city area was soliciting online sex ads. These results demonstrate (a) the viability of new techniques to estimate buyer populations and (b) preliminary figures on the number of purchasers buying sex online

Reducing Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls: Arizona Statewide Study in Partnership with the HB2570 Legislative Study Committee

The murder and missing of Indigenous women and girls (MMIWG) is an enduring national and international crisis in North America. The goal of this study is to expand knowledge about the prevalence of MMIWG and to identify culturally-accurate policy recommendations to reduce MMIWG. In 2019, the State of Arizona enacted legislation (HB 2570) which created a 23-person study committee charged with developing a statewide plan to reduce MMIWG.  Our research team worked in close collaboration with the study committee for 18 months in a coordinated effort to understand the scope of MMIWG.  Longitudinal homicide data (1978-2018) were examined from the Federal Bureau of Investigations Supplemental Homicide Reports as well as cross-sectional data from the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System.  Findings reveal that MMIWG has been occurring, and steadily increasing, over the past four decades in Arizona.  While Indigenous women and girls of all ages are at risk of MMIWG, the average age Indigenous females go missing or are murdered is age 33 and 31, respectively.  Geographic analysis of MMIWG cases reveal several hotspots throughout the state of Arizona, primarily among urban counties (57%).  Given these findings, our study presents culturally-accurate policy recommendations, in consultation with Tribal community partners, to reduce MMIWG.