Social Work Research
Volume 43, Issue 2, 2019, Pages 91-99

Prevalence and correlates of sex trafficking among homeless and runaway youths presenting for shelter services (Article)

Greeson J.K.P.* , Treglia D. , Wolfe D.S. , Wasch S.
  • a School of Social Policy and Practice, University of Pennsylvania, 3701 Locust Walk, Philadelphia, PA 19104, United States
  • b School of Social Policy and Practice, University of Pennsylvania, 3701 Locust Walk, Philadelphia, PA 19104, United States
  • c Field Center for Children's Policy, Practice, and Research, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, United States
  • d Field Center for Children's Policy, Practice, and Research, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, United States

Abstract

The study reported in this article assessed prevalence and demographic correlates of sex trafficking in a purposive sample of 270 young people experiencing homelessness in three U.S. cities (Philadelphia; Phoenix; and Washington, DC) and at five host agencies. Participants were 57% male, 38% female, 4% transgender, and 1% other. The average age of participants was 20.7 years (SD = 2.0 years). The majority of the participants were African American (56%), followed by white (14%) and multiracial (14%). The Human Trafficking Interview and Assessment Measure detected that nearly one in five young people were victims of sex trafficking, either due to force, fraud, or coercion (FFC); age; or both. Those who were sex trafficked were more likely than those who were not sex trafficked to be female, sexual minorities, or Latino and to have either dropped out of high school or obtained a GED. Differences between being trafficked due to FFC and being trafficked due to age were also investigated. Findings support the need for development of targeted prevention and intervention efforts for young people experiencing homelessness that address sex trafficking victimization and related risk factors. © 2019 National Association of Social Workers.

Author Keywords

Shelter services sex trafficking Commercial sex Homeless youths Human trafficking

Index Keywords

high school human controlled study persuasive communication African American sex trafficking interview Young Adult Hispanic Adolescent male transgender female risk factor Fraud prevalence victim Article runaway behavior adult homeless youth homelessness
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85066868109&doi=10.1093%2fswr%2fsvz001&partnerID=40&md5=4046bcc901084845cd2945aabd07d5fb
DOI: 10.1093/swr/svz001
ISSN: 10705309
Cited by: 2
Original Language: English