Understanding the Physical and Psychological Health and Wellness Needs of Minor Sex Trafficking Victims

• NCJ Number: 310464
• Author(s): Amy Farrell; Carlos Cuevas; Amelia Wagner; Sarah Lockwood; Alisa Lincoln; et al
• Date Published: January 2025
• Length: 104 pages
• Grant Number(s): 2020-VT-BX-0111
• Agencies: NIJ-Sponsored
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)

Annotation

This study investigates the physical and psychological health and wellness needs of minor sex trafficking victims.    

Abstract

This study provides information regarding the health needs and healthcare access experiences of young people in the U.S. who experienced commercial sexual exploitation (CSE) victimization and concludes that addressing mental health needs is key to better physical health outcomes. The study found that young people who experience CSE have significant physical and psychological health problems either associated with or exacerbated by their exploitation. CSE survivors report more significant levels of negative health compared to non-exploited populations. The study also found that young people who experience CSE or are at high risk of victimization largely have connections to healthcare. Most survey respondents have insurance, and most feel they have reliable access to healthcare, but they report a lack of trust in healthcare professionals, an unwillingness to disclose exploitation, and a belief that healthcare providers have not provided supportive care informed by their CSE experiences. Utilizing a sampling strategy informed by partnerships with specialized service providers who work with or specialize in responding to young people who experience or are at high risk of experiencing CSE, the researchers recruited young people from around the county who have experienced CSE victimization or who are at high risk of such victimization to participate in an in-depth survey about their health care experiences. Quantitative survey data from a large sample of young people across the US between the ages of 13-24 who experienced CSE or are at high risk for experiencing exploitation provided information about the health needs and conditions, healthcare utilization, and health are experiences for this population. Surveys of youth were supplemented with interviews with adult survivors who experienced CSE victimization as minors, providing survivor narratives of their experiences seeking healthcare and meeting their healthcare needs across multiple stages of survivorship.