TY - JOUR
T1 - Youth Experiences Survey (YES)
T2 - Exploring the Scope and Complexity of Sex Trafficking in a Sample of Youth Experiencing Homelessness
AU - Middleton, Jennifer S.
AU - Gattis, Maurice N.
AU - Frey, Laura M.
AU - Roe-Sepowitz, Dominique
N1 - Funding Information:
Arizona State University Office of Sex Trafficking Intervention Research, The McCain Institute for International Leadership, The University of Louisville Kent School of Social Work. This study was funded by the Kent School of Social Work at University of Louisville, in partnership with the Arizona State University Office of Sex Trafficking Intervention Research and The McCain Institute for International Leadership. Thank you to the following agencies for their assistance in collecting this research: YMCA Safe Place Services, Taylrd, Home of the Innocents, Haven House, Clark County Youth Shelter, Floyd County Youth Services, Kristy Love Foundation, and Center for Women and Families. The authors would also like to acknowledge the project assistance of Rebecca Goggin, M.S.S.W. and Rebecca Ghent, M.S.S.W.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2018, © 2018 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.
PY - 2018/3/15
Y1 - 2018/3/15
N2 - In the United States, sex trafficking victims have been identified at ages across the lifespan but young persons (under age 25) have been found to have unique vulnerabilities. At-risk youth, such as those who run away from home or those experiencing homelessness, are also at an increased risk of sexual exploitation. To better understand the scope and complexity of sex trafficking among these at-risk youth, a convenience sample of 131 homeless youth aged 12 to 25 years old experiencing homelessness recruited from Kentuckiana youth service providers completed an enhanced version of the Youth Experiences Survey (YES). Univariate and bivariate analyses were conducted. Results indicated that 41.2% of the homeless youth were victims of sex trafficking. The sex trafficked youth were more likely to report previous self-harm behaviors, suicide attempts, and substance use. This study not only provides support for improved service delivery, but also provides essential statistics that should inform internal policy and procedures for youth serving agencies in Kentucky and Indiana. Findings highlight a need for trauma-informed interventions designed to treat not only females but also males and LGBTQ youth. Additionally, service providers should consider partnering with victim providers and clinicians to offer therapeutic groups, individual therapy, and supportive services that increase prevention, education, and wraparound care for clients. In regards to future research, findings point towards a need to better understand the role that trauma and adverse childhood experiences may play in making young people vulnerable to sex trafficking, and encourage the need for testing prevention and early intervention practices among vulnerable youth.
AB - In the United States, sex trafficking victims have been identified at ages across the lifespan but young persons (under age 25) have been found to have unique vulnerabilities. At-risk youth, such as those who run away from home or those experiencing homelessness, are also at an increased risk of sexual exploitation. To better understand the scope and complexity of sex trafficking among these at-risk youth, a convenience sample of 131 homeless youth aged 12 to 25 years old experiencing homelessness recruited from Kentuckiana youth service providers completed an enhanced version of the Youth Experiences Survey (YES). Univariate and bivariate analyses were conducted. Results indicated that 41.2% of the homeless youth were victims of sex trafficking. The sex trafficked youth were more likely to report previous self-harm behaviors, suicide attempts, and substance use. This study not only provides support for improved service delivery, but also provides essential statistics that should inform internal policy and procedures for youth serving agencies in Kentucky and Indiana. Findings highlight a need for trauma-informed interventions designed to treat not only females but also males and LGBTQ youth. Additionally, service providers should consider partnering with victim providers and clinicians to offer therapeutic groups, individual therapy, and supportive services that increase prevention, education, and wraparound care for clients. In regards to future research, findings point towards a need to better understand the role that trauma and adverse childhood experiences may play in making young people vulnerable to sex trafficking, and encourage the need for testing prevention and early intervention practices among vulnerable youth.
KW - at-risk youth
KW - homeless youth
KW - human trafficking
KW - sex trafficking
KW - sexual exploitation
KW - trauma
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85042212034&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85042212034&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/01488376.2018.1428924
DO - 10.1080/01488376.2018.1428924
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85042212034
SN - 0148-8376
VL - 44
SP - 141
EP - 157
JO - Journal of Social Service Research
JF - Journal of Social Service Research
IS - 2
ER -