Service Providers’ Perspectives on Sex Trafficking of Male Minors: Comparing Background and Trafficking Situations of Male and Female Victims

Authors

Cole, S.

Type
Journal Article
Year published
2018
Journal
Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal
Accession number

25877

Title

Service Providers’ Perspectives on Sex Trafficking of Male Minors: Comparing Background and Trafficking Situations of Male and Female Victims

Volume and issue

35,

Abstract

This journal article focuses on sex trafficking of male minors. Limited research has been conducted on this type of commercial sexual exploitation. The researchers collected data via telephone interviews with 323 professionals who work with at-risk youth and/or crime victims/offenders in all counties in a mostly rural state in the U.S. Half of the respondents had worked with at least one victim of child sex trafficking, and of these 161 respondents, 57.8% had worked with at least one male victim. Many similarities in victims’ vulnerability factors, the systems victims encountered, and their greatest needs were found by gender. Familial sex trafficking was one of the typical pathways into commercial sexual exploitation for minors. There were some differences in the pathways in sex trafficking by gender. There is a need for greater awareness, training, and resource-building for identifying and appropriately responding to male minors who are trafficked in commercial sex. (author abstract modified)

Availability details

Download by journal subscription or article purchase at https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10560-018-0530-z