Factors That Influence Police Conceptualizations of Girls Involved in Prostitution in Six U.S. Cities: Child Sexual Exploitation Victims or Delinquents?

Abstract

This study examined how the police conceptualize juveniles involved in prostitution as victims of child sexual exploitation (CSE) or delinquents. Case files from six police agencies in major U.S. cities of 126 youth allegedly involved in prostitution, who were almost entirely girls, provided the data for this inquiry. This study found that 60% of youth in this sample were conceptualized as victims by the police and 40% as offenders. Logistic regression predicted the youths' culpability status as victims. The full model predicted 91% of youth's culpability status correctly and explained 67% of the variance in the youths' culpability status. The police considered youth with greater levels of cooperation, greater presence of identified exploiters, no prior record, and that came to their attention through a report more often as victims. In addition, the police may consider local youth more often as victims. It appears that the police use criminal charges as a paternalistic protective response to detain some of the youth treated as offenders, even though they considered these youth victims. Legislatively mandating this form of CSE as child abuse or adopting a ''secure care'' approach is needed to ensure these youth receive the necessary treatment and services.

Prostitución de menores en locales registrados en México

“…Posiblemente las jóve-nes que ingresaron de modo no forzado al comercio sexual necesiten mayor atención porque es menos probable que cuenten con un entorno familiar que las arrope. Sin embargo, numerosos estudios (Mitchell et al 2010;Halter 2010, Fichtelman 2014 En este artículo establezco una distinción entre el tér-mino "trabajo sexual juvenil" para definir la entrada temprana (antes de cumplir los 18 años) al comercio sexual de manera no forzada, y los vocablos "explotación sexual comercial infantil", "explotación sexual de menores", o "menores prostituidas" para definir la entrada forzada de menores de edad al comercio sexual. Desde el punto de vista legal esta distinción no es relevante; pero, estos términos designan situaciones distintas.…”

Consent, coercion and autonomy: Underage sex work in Aotearoa New Zealand

“…While the purchasing of sexual services from young people under the age of 18 is illegal in New Zealand, it is known to occur in a range of settings, and is viewed as an undeniable violation of children's rights within New Zealand's legislative framework despite the transactional nature of the offending (Ministry of Justice, 2002). However, attempts to investigate and target this phenomenon are hindered by the traumatic histories of adolescents using USW; the symptoms of which may perpetuate adolescents' involvement; adolescents' fear of stigma; and the largely hidden nature of the young person-client interactions (Saphira & Oliver, 2002;Halter, 2010;Cusick, 2002).…”

The Influence of Rape Myth Acceptance on Self-Reported Perceptions of Prostitution and Human Trafficking Among College Students

“…The perception of sex workers as offenders, rather than victims, denies them access to the services, support, and protection they need to address underlying causes of their sex work. Without addressing the underlying causes of an individual's sex work, it is unlikely they will be able to leave the life of prostitution (Cotton et al, 2002;Franklin & Menaker, 2014;Halter, 2010;Menaker & Miller, 2013). In addition, it is important to assess the perceptions of university students as these individuals are the future professionals that will likely aid in helping sex workers desist.…”

“…Local law enforcement officers are typically the first contact young prostitutes have with the criminal justice system. Halter (2010) found that young prostitutes are often perceived as sex workers who made the choice to engage in the sex industry, and thus, are perceived to be offenders by law enforcement. Menaker and Miller (2013) found that the more an individual subscribed to traditional sex roles and sexism, the perceiver had more negative reactions toward and less empathy for young sex workers.…”

“…In addition, these individuals perceived sex workers to be culpable for their victimization. The perception of young prostitutes as offenders, rather than victims, denies them the services, support, and protection they need to address the underlying cause of their prostitution, which is often necessary to leave the life of prostitution (Cotton et al, 2002;Franklin & Menaker, 2014;Halter, 2010;Menaker & Miller, 2013).…”