Gender Differences among Commercially Sexually Exploited Youth in Israel

Abstract

Research on commercial sexual exploitation (COMSE) of youth tends to focus on young females as victims, and much less is known about male and transgender commercially sexually exploited youth (COMSEY). Understanding the psychosocial background and past COMSE experiences among COMSEY is important to provide support for gender‐specific or gender‐inclusive interventions for COMSEY. The study included 57 cisgender females, 40 males and 23 transgender females who received services from a multi‐module programme for COMSEY in Israel. Case managers provided data on the youth regarding background characteristics, health variables and COMSE experiences prior to entering the service. The youth had similar rates in most psychosocial background characteristics, including being a victim of abuse. Cisgender females were less likely than cisgender males and transgender females to be from an ethnic minority and more likely to have been in out‐of‐home placement. Past experiences of COMSE were also similar between genders, though cisgender females were less involved in street prostitution and more likely to have been sexually abused during COMSE. The findings provide support for a gender‐inclusive approach to intervention with COMSEY and call for re‐consideration of present gender‐specific interventions in this domain. Further research on intervention with COMSEY is needed, specifically regarding male and transgender COMSEY. Key Practitioner Messages Youth who sell or swap sex have troubled pasts, regardless of their gender. There are more similarities than differences in psychosocial backgrounds and past sexual exploitation experiences between cisgender females, cisgender males and transgender females. Empirical evidence to support the need for gender‐specific intervention was not demonstrated among these youth. Gender‐inclusive interventions may be an appropriate approach and will promote access to treatment for all commercially exploited youth.

Child Sexual Abuse: Common, Under‐Reported and Concomitant with Other Maltreatment

“…They found quite strong gendered differences in how these two groups were perceived and how professionals worked with them, but very similar experiences in terms of their exposure to prior abuse and domestic violence. These findings would seem to concur with those of Shilo et al (2021) who recognise the unique vulnerability and risk factors for individual young people, regardless of their gender identity. They call for interventions with sexually exploited young people to 'be tailored to reflect various needs specific to gender identity, sexual orientation, race and religion, as well as to the lived individual experiences of the youth' arguing for gender-inclusive rather than gender-specific programmes (Shilo et al, 2021, p. 43).…”

“…Although Shilo et al (2021) found some gender differences in the young people's psychosocial background factors, they did not find any solid gendered profiles. They conclude that these youth 'cannot be characterised solely or predominantly by their gender identity' (Shilo et al, 2021, p. 43), but that their findings 'support the recommendation to use an intersectional lens… rather than a gendered one…, taking into consideration gender identity, race and sexual orientation as vulnerability variables to understand the paths of youth to commercial sexual exploitation and the ways to help them' (Shilo et al, 2021, p. 43).…”

Current Trends in Sex Trafficking Research

“…Several studies have identified risks for experiencing CST in the U.S., including child maltreatment (e.g., prior sexual abuse), involvement in foster care, a history of running away, alcohol and substance use/abuse, poor mental health, justice system involvement, unstable home environments, peer or family influence (e.g., witnessing others engage in sex work), identifying as part of the LGBTQ + community, severe physical disabilities, and/or low cognitive abilities [ 8 , 16 •, 17 , 19 , 21 – 25 ]. Similar risk factors have also been reported in Canada and Israel [e.g., 21 , 26 ]. Research comparing domestic and international trafficking suggests that risk factors may differ depending on the context.…”