Distinguishing Between Traditional Child Abuse and Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking

ABSTRACT BODY:
Introduction: Youth who are trafficked have histories of early childhood abuse. Knowing the trafficking risk factors present for youth who may be involved in child protective services can assist in prevention approaches. There has been a significant push for collaborative efforts among juvenile justice and child welfare systems to respond to child trafficking victims; however, there is a great need to develop prevention responses to prevention to intervene before youth become vulnerable to trafficking. Therefore, it is important to understand the characteristics and experiences that make youth more vulnerable to victimization.

Methods: A cross-sectional design was employed across five cities in one Midwestern state. Respondents were recruited through respondent driven sampling. Data collectors were required to know at least two individuals currently involved in the commercial sex industry. Individuals over the age of 16 that reported involvement in the commercial sex industry in the past year were eligible to complete the survey.

Results: Over the last five years of reported child abuse data in one Midwestern state (2006 to 2010), there was an average of 15,073 (48%) reports of neglect, 9,499 (30.3%) reports of physical abuse, 1,561 (4.98%) reports of psychological maltreatment, and 5,231 (16.7%) reports of sexual abuse per year, bringing the average total of reported cases of maltreatment per year to 31,364. For those who became victims of the child sex trade, 40% were also previous victims of neglect, defined as not being sure if their basic needs would be met from day to day as many worried about what they would eat or where they would sleep. Almost a third in the sex trade (32%) reported being homeless. Approximately forty percent (40.8%) of respondents reported being victims of sex abuse, 37% were victims of emotional abuse (psychological maltreatment) and 24% of youth were victims of physical abuse. Comparing the sample of abused non-trafficked youth with those who were trafficked into the sex trade suggests that child sex trafficking victims suffered higher rates of sexual abuse and psychological maltreatment than other victims of abuse.

Conclusions: Considering the high rates of sexual abuse and psychological maltreatment among domestic minor sex trafficking victims, providers should consider screening for youth who may be at a greater risk of being trafficked. Increased screening for trafficking can lead to early intervention and consequently, the prevention of child trafficking among this at-risk population.