Working With Youth Who Have Experienced Commercial Sexual Exploitation: Voices From the Field.

Little is known about the experiences of service providers working with youth who have experienced commercial sexual exploitation (CSE). In this qualitative study, 12 service providers shared their experiences working with youth who have experienced CSE. Thematic analysis was used to develop key themes that included the challenges posed by working with this population, including the breadth of necessary services and the type of support that is needed for this work.

A pilot study of the outcomes of human trafficking survivors assessment with girls who have experienced commercial sexual exploitation.

Purpose: This study utilized the Outcome of Human Trafficking Survivors (OHTS) to monitor the progress of female victims of CSE over a year while they were enrolled in a comprehensive treatment program.

Methods: Sixty-seven girls (M age 17.70 years) who were identified as confirmed victims of CSE (46 %) or at risk for CSE (54 %) and presented for treatment were administered the OHTS upon intake into the program and again at 90 day intervals resulting in four data points.

Prevention of child sexual abuse in the United States: Scoping review of United States legislative policies.

Background: States in the United States (US) have passed and enacted legislation for the purpose of preventing child sexual abuse (CSA) since 2000, but it is unknown whether these legislative policies reduce adult-perpetrated CSA.

Objective: Review the literature from 2000 to 2023 to understand which US CSA prevention policies have been evaluated, the effectiveness of these policies, study populations, and barriers and facilitators associated with the implementation of CSA prevention policies.

Methods: The study protocol was published prior to undertaking the review: PMC10603531.

Child Sexual Abuse in the United States: A Commentary on Current Policy Approaches to Prevention and Aspirations for the Future.

Child sexual abuse (CSA) is a significant threat to the health and well-being of children in the United States (US). Public policies are a key public health strategy for the primary prevention of violence, including CSA. In 2021, the Enough Abuse Campaign and Prevent Child Abuse America published a comprehensive report entitled to encourage state leaders to create a comprehensive strategy to prevent CSA in the US.

Prevention of child sexual abuse in the USA: a scoping review protocol of US legislative policies.

Introduction: Child sexual abuse (CSA) poses a significant threat to the health and well-being of children in the USA and globally. Many states have introduced or implemented policies to address and prevent CSA, but little research has linked the effects of this legislation on the reduction of adult-perpetrated CSA. The objective of this scoping review is to identify US policies which aim to prevent CSA, explain the components of these types of legislation, review evidence of effectiveness, describe the populations included in the literature, and identify barriers and facilitators to the implementation of said policies.

The collaborative efforts of a multidisciplinary community-based team to address victims of commercial sexual exploitation.

Objective: This study explored the perceptions of members of a multidisciplinary team (MDT) when working with victims of commercial sexual exploitation.

Method: Sixteen members of a state-mandated MDT, representing various professions, were individually interviewed to gain their perspective on the functioning of the MDT, including challenges and strengths.

Results: Members of the MDT held basically positive perceptions of the process and reported a sense of teamwork.

Vicarious Traumatization and Burnout among Service Providers for Victims of Commercial Sexual Exploitation.

Victims of commercial sexual exploitation (CSE) are in need of multiple community services to aid in their recovery. Service providers are critical to ensuring these victims receive needed treatment. Given the complex trauma of these victims and the necessity of long-term treatment, these service professionals may experience vicarious trauma (VT) and burnout.

Adolescent girls with a history of Commercial Sexual Exploitation (CSE): Perceptions and characteristics of social networks.

Background: Previous research has demonstrated that social support systems such as family, peers, or social services can play a role in adolescent girls' involvement in commercial sexual exploitation (CSE) (Hargreaves- Cormany & Patterson, 2016; Phillips, 2015, Reid & Piquero, 2016).

Objectives: Few studies have specifically explored the meanings adolescent girls with a history of CSE give to their social networks and how these may be associated with CSE vulnerability. The current study examines how important networks are labeled and characterized by these youth.

College students' recollections of childhood sexual abuse prevention programs and their potential impact on reduction of sexual victimization.

Background: Child sexual abuse prevention programs are offered in many schools globally, but research is scant on whether or not these programs actually decrease the rates of CSA among youth who participate in them.

Objective: This study sought to determine if participation in a CSA prevention program (based on participant recall), in the US or another country, led to lower rates of self-reported past victimization among youth, affected disclosure and effects on sexual satisfaction.

Participants And Setting: One thousand five hundred and two students from an ethnically and racially diverse university in the southeast served as participants.

Assessment of commercially sexually exploited girls upon entry to treatment: Confirmed vs. at risk victims.

Background: Research has documented many risk factors for commercial sexual exploitation of children as well as serious emotional and behavioral consequences for such victims.

Objective: This study aims to provide an understanding of risk factors and symptom presentation of girls who are victims or at risk for commercial sexual exploitation.

Participants And Setting: Ninety-six girls (12-18 years) who were referred to a child advocacy center's specialized treatment program for commercially sexually abused girls served as participants (56 confirmed victims, 40 at risk of commercial sexual exploitation).

Increasing Child Serving Professionals' Awareness and Understanding of the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children.

Child serving professionals need increased understanding of the identification and therapeutic needs of child victims of commercial sexual exploitation. This study evaluated the effectiveness of a training program aimed to increase awareness of commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC) among professionals likely to encounter victims in their work. Professionals' (N = 227) knowledge level was examined prior to the training, immediately thereafter, and in a 6-12 month follow-up.