Interventions that Foster Healing Among Sexually Exploited Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Sexual exploitation of children and adolescents is a pressing, yet largely under-recognized form of child abuse. The goals of this review were to identify interventions that have been implemented with sexually exploited children and adolescents and to better understand their effectiveness for fostering healing with this population. Our systematic search generated 4,358 publications of which 21 met our inclusion criteria. Based on their objectives and delivery, we organized the interventions into five categories: (a) focused health and/or social services, (b) intensive case management models, (c) psychoeducational therapy groups, (d) residential programs, and (e) other. Most programs were gender-specific, targeting girls and young women with just one being for boys and young men only. Studies reported on a range of outcomes including psychosocial outcomes, risky behaviors, trauma responses, mental health, protective factors, and public health outcomes. Despite differences in delivery, most of the interventions did, to some degree, appear to foster healing among sexually exploited children and adolescents. Findings from this review have implications for researchers, policy and program developers, and frontline practitioners who, through partnerships with one another, can advocate for the creation of evidence-informed, purpose-built, and thoughtfully delivered interventions.

Demographic and Psychosocial Factors Associated With Child Sexual Exploitation

“… 36 However, despite growing documentation of CSE factors, the present evidence base only identifies unilateral risk factors or consists of studies insufficient in quality to meaningfully guide prevention and intervention. 33 …”

Adapting a family intervention to reduce risk factors for sexual exploitation

“…Moynihan et al conducted a systematic review of interventions for youth who have been sexually exploited [3]. Very few interventions included social support (homebased/family involvement) as a component of their program.…”

“…Interventions that specifically focused on health/ social services did not target CSE, but rather, were designed to reduce the spread of disease. The residential programs aimed at supporting at-risk and recently sexually exploited youth addressed holistic concerns such as providing psychosocial, health, and vocational supports [3]. Of note, Moynihan (2011), each of whom incorporated or discussed family involvement in their models [3].…”

“…The residential programs aimed at supporting at-risk and recently sexually exploited youth addressed holistic concerns such as providing psychosocial, health, and vocational supports [3]. Of note, Moynihan (2011), each of whom incorporated or discussed family involvement in their models [3]. The aforementioned review concludes by acknowledging the importance of employing practitioners or peer mentors who have experience with CSE and including cultural and family components into interventions moving forward.…”

Piccole farfalle: abuso sexual na infância e adolescência, suicídio e intervenção

“…As consequências para crianças e adolescentes que sofreram violência sexual podem aparecer em curto ou longo prazo, ou podem ficar latentes; sinais e sintomas físicos, comportamentais, psicológicos e/ou psiquiátricos também podem ocorrer isolada ou associadamente, incluindo ideação suicida, tentativas de suicídio e automutilação ( Moynihan et al, 2018;Silva & Gonçalves, 2015). Pliska (2004), citada por Silva & Gonçalves (2015), afirma pessoas que foram abusadas física ou sexualmente durante a infância apresentam quatro vezes mais probabilidade de desenvolverem depressão severa ou cometerem suicídio.…”