Prevention of Sex Trading and Trafficking of African-American Girls and Women: An “Un-Programmed” Community Drop-in Space Model Based On Participatory Research

Introduction: Sex trading and prostitution of African-American girls and women is a hidden and pernicious problem in neighborhoods characterized by generational and concentrated poverty (Decker et al., 2012; Martin et al., 2010; Rosen & Venkatesh, 2009). It negatively impacts the developmental trajectory of children (Edinburgh and Saewyc, 2012) and causes lifelong harm and diminished well-being of the girls and women who trade sex; it also negatively impacts their children, families and communities (Martin et al., 2012). Prevention of sex trading mired in difficulties. Sex trading is dangerous, illegal and stigmatized, blocking outreach and connection efforts. Girls and women are disconnected from typical systems of care (health care, social services, and community). Further, market facilitators (i.e. traffickers and pimps) and purchasers of sexual services often use force and coercion to keep people who trade sex disconnected and marginalized.  Our research question was: from a community perspective, what is the most effective way to overcome barriers to prevent and intervene early in sex trafficking?

Methods: We used community-based and participatory research methods to engage girls and women who trade sex, and other local experts, in the design and implementation of a new model. A community advisory panel has been meeting since 2007. The project surveyed (n=135), conducted semi-structured interviews (n=35), and focus group (6) with adults who trade sex in the neighborhood. Statistical findings are presented elsewhere. Here I focus on participant-observation methods from Anthropology that we used to drive the research and learn from the entire process by discerning cultural and structural information about how best to build the model. Research participants readily shared their feedback and comments on the research process itself; stating that the research encounter was unique and supportive because they did not have safe spaces in their lives to talk, reflect, and think about sex trading and where they wanted to be in life. 

Results: Based on all project data we first “diagnosed” why sex traders do not connect to resources and what they think would help. Then we developed a drop-in space concept, based in community connection rather than programming and services. It opened in 2010 and has begun attracting participants. It works by offering a first, and self-directed, step toward reconnection to systems of care. Drop-in centers have been used for other populations, but ours is specific to sex traders. 

Conclusions:  It is possible to connect, prevent and intervene in sex trading and trafficking, thereby promoting health and well-being. Participatory and ethnographic approaches are critical to developing prevention models that truly “work” for intended populations.