Counseling Psychologist
Volume 46, Issue 4, 2018, Pages 413-455

Survivors’ Perspectives on Recovery From Commercial Sexual Exploitation Beginning in Childhood (Article)

Bruhns M.E.* , del Prado A. , Slezakova J. , Lapinski A.J. , Li T. , Pizer B.
  • a The Wright Institute, Berkeley, CA, United States
  • b The Wright Institute, Berkeley, CA, United States
  • c The Wright Institute, Berkeley, CA, United States
  • d The Wright Institute, Berkeley, CA, United States
  • e The Wright Institute, Berkeley, CA, United States
  • f The Wright Institute, Berkeley, CA, United States

Abstract

This study explored the process of exiting and recovery from commercial sexual exploitation beginning in childhood, utilizing semistructured interviews with 11 adult female survivors who had been out of the commercial sex industry for at least six months. The narratives were analyzed using consensual qualitative research. Participants described a complex interface of internal motivation and external resources in the exiting process. They identified a need for comprehensive, nonjudgmental services across all stages of change, in order to support a profound reconstruction of identity and community. Subgroup comparisons revealed that women who were exploited at younger ages were more vulnerable to coercive and dehumanizing exploitation and required especially intensive services. These results support the methods of many survivor-led programs for sexually exploited youth. Implications of survivors’ perspectives for counseling, research, and advocacy are discussed. © 2018, The Author(s) 2018.

Author Keywords

survivor empowerment SEXUAL EXPLOITATION Commercial sexual exploitation of children Recovery exiting

Index Keywords

controlled study semi structured interview female counseling narrative juvenile sexual exploitation identity empowerment qualitative research Article childhood motivation remission human adult survivor Child
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85049878954&doi=10.1177%2f0011000018777544&partnerID=40&md5=d7cdbbfba661ecd293001d3eea084bf9
DOI: 10.1177/0011000018777544
ISSN: 00110000
Original Language: English