Association between childhood sexual abuse and transactional sex in youth aging out of foster care

Abstract

Purpose To evaluate the association between history of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) and having transactional sex among adolescents who have been in foster care. Methods We used an existing dataset of youth transitioning out of foster care. Independent CSA variables included self report of history of sexual molestation and rape when participants were, on average, 17 years of age. Our outcome variables were self-report of having transactional sex ever and in the past year, when participants were an average age of 19 years. Separate multiple logistic regression analyses were conducted to assess the associations between CSA variables and transactional sex variables. Initial analyses were performed on both genders; exploratory analyses were then performed evaluating each gender separately. Total N=732; 574 were included in the main analyses. Results History of sexual molestation was significantly associated with increased odds of having transactional sex, both ever and in the past year (OR [95% CI]: 3.21 [1.26-8.18] and 4.07 [1.33, 12.52], respectively). History of rape was also significantly associated with increased odds of having had transactional sex ever and in the past year (ORs [95% CI]: 3.62 [1.38-9.52] and 3.78 [1.19, 12.01], respectively). Odds ratios in female-only analyses remained significant and were larger in magnitude compared with the main, non-stratified analyses; odds ratios in male-only analyses were non-significant and smaller in magnitude when compared with the main analyses. Conclusions Both CSA variables were associated with increased likelihood of transactional sex. This association appears to vary by gender. Our results suggest that policymakers for youth in foster care should consider the unique needs of young women with histories of CSA when developing programs to support healthy relationships. Health care providers should also consider adapting screening and counseling practices to reflect the increased risk of transactional sex for female youth in foster care with a history of CSA.

Sexual Behavior and Risk Practices of HIV Positive and HIV Negative Rwandan Women

“…Women who reported genocidal rape were nearly twice as likely to report having engaged in transactional sex or having had a non-HIV STI. Our finding that sexual abuse either during a period of war/conflict or in non-conflict contexts was associated with involvement in transactional sex is consistent with studies that show women with a history of sexual trauma are more likely to subsequently engage in transactional sex and other high-risk sexual practices (31, 32). The associations of non-genocidal rape with study outcomes tended to be similar to those of genocidal rape in univariate models.…”

Consent, coercion and autonomy: Underage sex work in Aotearoa New Zealand

“…Sexual experiences entailing coercive or violent elements were not framed as abusive, suggesting a distortion to participants' beliefs about acceptable sexual behaviour that has been identified in previous studies (Ahrens et al, 2012;Saphira & Oliver, 2002). The pathway from early abuse to later involvement in USW appeared to derive from both direct and indirect channels, supporting the theory that USW may serve as a continuation of initial victimisation (Jordan, Patel, & Rapp, 2013).…”

“…The relationship between sexual victimisation in childhood and later entry into USW is thought to occur through the changes to cognitive processes, relationships, perceptions of normative sexual behaviour, and psychological well-being resulting from abuse (Holger-Ambrose et al, 2013;Ahrens et al, 2012;Saphira & Herbert, 2004a;Saphira & Oliver, 2002). Survivors often experience substantial loss of self-worth following abuse (Shaw & Butler, 1998), and traumatic responses may be reactivated if the re-enactment of sexual acts without free consent replicates the dynamics of the initial sexual abuse (Stebbins, 2010).…”

“…Such early involvement has been ORIGINAL ARTICLE QUALITATIVE RESEARCH associated with exposure to physical and sexual violence, long-lasting psychological, physical, emotional, and cognitive impacts, including post-traumatic stress disorder, and a range of adverse physical health outcomes (Herman, 1987;Ahrens, Katon, & McCarty et al, 2012). While the purchasing of sexual services from young people under the age of 18 is illegal in New Zealand, it is known to occur in a range of settings, and is viewed as an undeniable violation of children's rights within New Zealand's legislative framework despite the transactional nature of the offending (Ministry of Justice, 2002).…”

Somebody's Children or Nobody's Children? How the Sociological Perspective Could Enliven Research on Foster Care

“…These include, but are not limited to, mental health problems as children (e.g., Chisholm, 1999; Pears et al, 2006:69), as well as high rates of homelessness (e.g., Park et al, 2004), criminal justice contact (e.g., Jonson-Reid & Barth, 2000), and sex work (e.g., Ahrens et al, 2012) as adolescents and young adults. They also have poor educational outcomes and employment records (e.g., Pecora et al, 2006), and have more mental and physical health problems (e.g., Zlotnick et al, 2012) later in life.…”