Previous research into age-related variables relevant to
girls and young women being involved in commercial sexual exploitation (including
prostitution) has not distinguished between its onset and limitation to
adolescence and its early onset and persistence into adult life.
The aims of this study were to examine variables associated
with adolescent versus adult onset of commercial sexual exploitation and
identify potential risk and resiliency factors differentiating
adolescence-limited sexual exploitation and early-onset-adult persistent
exploitation.
Interviews with 174 vulnerable mostly African-American
women, 23% of whom reported commercial sexual exploitation in adolescence
and/or adulthood, yielded data, which were analysed using multinomial logistic
regressions.
Adolescent sexual victimisation, younger age at first
alcohol/drug use, being a victim of intimate partner violence and sense of
stigmatisation of sexual self/others were all variables associated with
adolescent onset of commercial sexual exploitation. Educational attainment
differentiated adolescence limited from adolescent-adult persistent exploitation;
exploitation had ceased by adulthood among over two-thirds of those who
completed at least high school education, but only 13% of those exploited into
adult life had finished high school.
As level of education was linked to cessation of
exploitation by adulthood, support for vulnerable girls to complete education
at least to high school level may be protective.The link between early onset of
substance misuse and persistent exploitation suggests that education and
support specifically targeted within this field could reduce likelihood of
persistent abuse.Work directed at improvement of self-image may also reduce
risk of persistent exploitation.
Purchase full article
at:
By:
- 1University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, MA, USA.
More at: https://twitter.com/hiv_insight
No comments:
Post a Comment