PURPOSE:We sought to understand the perspectives of commercially sexually exploited (CSE) young women regarding their healthcare needs, access, and utilization patterns.METHODS: Twenty-one CSE young women participated in this mixed-methods study. Data collection included brief surveys measuring healthcare utilization, followed by in-depth, semistructured interviews to gain insight into CSE young women's healthcare needs, barriers and facilitators to healthcare, utilization patterns, and recommendations for improving care. Data analysis techniques included descriptive statistics for the quantitative survey data and thematic analysis for the qualitative interviews.
Background: Adolescent females with histories of commercial sexual exploitation (CSE) have high mental health and substance use treatment needs, yet little is known about their perspectives regarding behavioral health and behavioral health treatment. Objective:We sought to understand the attitudes of adolescent females with histories of CSE regarding behavioral health to identify factors influencing "buy-in" to behavioral healthcare. Participants and Setting:Participants included 21 adolescent females, affiliated with our partner organizations (two group homes, a service agency, and a juvenile specialty court), who reported having exchanged sex for something of value. Methods:In-depth qualitative interviews explored participants' perspectives towards behavioral health. We conducted thematic analysis to identify themes concerning behavioral health.Results: Participants provided insightful definitions of "mental health" that included positive and negative aspects of emotional and cognitive states (e.g. "being happy with yourself' and "not thinking suicidal"), indicating intensified mental health challenges and resilience. Substance use was viewed as a coping mechanism for childhood trauma and their exploitation. Trusted relationships with providers and navigable health systems that encourage autonomy were key to promoting "buy-in" and thus engagement in behavioral health treatment. A conceptual model emerged illustrating factors leading to treatment engagement.
Background: Specialty courts have emerged as a model of care for U.S. youth impacted by commercial sexual exploitation (CSE) to ensure comprehensive service provision. However, there is a lack of published research that documents the extent to which these programs achieve this goal.Objective: We sought to understand a specialty juvenile justice court's role in identifying mental health and substance use treatment needs, providing linkages to services, and facilitating stability for youth with histories of CSE. Participants and Setting:We conducted an exhaustive court file review of the 364 participants in a U.S. based juvenile delinquency specialty court for youth affected by CSE. The observation period spanned 2012-2017. Methods:The research team systematically transferred data from court files into a secure, electronic database. Descriptive statistics and Chisquared tests were calculated to explore potential associations.Results: Participation in the specialty court for youth impacted by CSE suggests an increase in identification of mental health and substance use needs and linkages and referrals to mental health and substance use treatment services. In addition, there was increased stabilization as indicated by decreased substantiated child welfare allegations, fewer running away episodes, and placements and criminal involvement.Conclusions: Specialty courts that incorporate a multidisciplinary, trauma-informed approach offer a promising intervention model for meeting the high treatment needs of youth impacted by CSE.
Purpose The available research on specialized interventions for youth experiencing commercial sexual exploitation almost exclusively focuses on the impact and efficacy related to cisgender girls, despite the inclusion of youth who identify as transgender in these programs. This paper aims to present a case study on the experience of a transgender adolescent girl who experienced commercial sexual exploitation and provides a narrative of the multifarious challenges she faced while involved in institutional systems of care. Design/methodology/approach This paper conducted an in-depth case review of all records on “Jade,” a white adolescent transgender girl who experienced commercial sexual exploitation, from a specialty court program in the juvenile justice system between 2012 and 2016. Her experiences throughout childhood exemplify many of the unique challenges that transgender girls and young women with histories of exploitation or trafficking may encounter within service delivery and socioecological systems. This paper applied concepts adapted from the gender minority stress theoretical model to understand how minority gender identity can shape the experiences and outcomes of the youth impacted by commercial sexual exploitation. Findings Jade’s narrative underscores the interplay of gender-based sexual violence, heteronormative structural barriers, transphobia and their intersectional impact on her experience while receiving specialized care. The intersectional hardships she experienced likely contributed to adverse biopsychosocial outcomes, including high rates of medical and behavioral health diagnoses and expectations of further rejection. Originality/value This paper highlights the extraordinary challenges and barriers faced by an often under-recognized and overlooked subset of the youth impacted by commercial sexual exploitation, who may receive services that do not account for their unique needs related to gender expression and identity. This paper exemplifies how internalized stigma along with expectations of further rejection and victimization have implications for clinical and multidisciplinary intervention settings. Jade’s case underscores the need for improved access to supportive services for youth with minority gender identities, including peer community-building opportunities. Finally, this paper identifies a critical gap in US legislation and social policy. This gap contributes to the structural harms faced by transgender and gender-nonconforming youth receiving services during or following experiences of commercial sexual exploitation.
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