The Prostitution and Trafficking of American Indian/Alaska Native Women in Minnesota

Abstract

We examined social and physical violence experienced by American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) women in prostitution and their impacts on the mental and physical health of 105 women (81% Anishinaabe, mean age = 35 years) recruited through service agencies in three Minnesota cities. In childhood, abuse, foster care, arrests, and prostitution were typical. Homelessness, rape, assault, racism, and pimping were common. The women's most prevalent physical symptoms included muscle pain, impaired memory or concentration, and headaches. Symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder and dissociation were common, with more severe psychological symptoms associated with worse health. Most of the women wanted to leave prostitution and they most often identified counseling and peer support as necessary to accomplish this. Most saw colonization and prostitution of AI/AN women as connected.

Screening for Traumatic Brain Injury in Prostituted Women

“…Women in prostitution have high rates of PTSD (Choi et al, 2006;Farley et al, 2003Farley et al, , 2016Roxburgh et al, 2006), dissociation (Farley et al, 2014;Ross et al, 2003), depression (Ross et al, 2003;Roxburgh et al, 2006), and substance abuse (Farley et al, 2014;Ross et al, 2003;Roxburgh et al, 2006), all of which can present with symptoms that are similar to TBI (Brenner et al, 2010;Hayes & Gilbertson, 2012;Iverson, 2012;Lew et al, 2008;Verfaellie et al, 2012). Comorbidity of TBI with these disorders is common, with one-tenth to three-fourths of people with TBI also suffering from PTSD and/or depression (Bombardier et al, 2010;Brenner et al, 2010;Iverson, 2012;Lew et al, 2008;Vasterling et al, 2012a).…”

“…For example, from 30% to 74% of women seeking emergency shelter or hospital emergency room treatment for IPV and 10% of IPV survivors in general populations had sustained TBI (Kwako et al, 2011;Yau et al, 2013). We know of only two studies that report the prevalence of TBI among women in prostitution, finding rates of 53% and 72% (Farley et al, 2016).…”

Police Stops and Searches of Indigenous People in Minneapolis: The Roles of Race, Place, and Gender

“…Many Native American women involved in sex work report experiences consistent with being trafficked, but often do not consider themselves victims of trafficking (Minnesota Indian Women's Resource Center, 2009). These disparities can be linked to historical community traumas, including the forced removal of children to abusive boarding schools (Farley et al, 2016). In Minneapolis, Native American organizations have created programs and outreach activities that are culturally appropriate and emphasize Native American values and heritage.…”

From Exploitation to Industry: Definitions, Risks, and Consequences of Domestic Sexual Exploitation and Sex Work Among Women and Girls

“…However, certain marginalized racial groups, such as Native American/American Indians, require more expansive research. One study in Minnesota of 105 Native American prostituted women revealed not only extensive rates of sexual and physical assault, but also that racism was an emotionally damaging source of ongoing stress in their experiences of prostitution, sexual assault, and mental and physical health needs (Farley et al, 2011). To date, this is the only study conducted with Native American and American Indian sexually trafficked women and/or girls.…”

“…stripping, dancing, modeling) and are exploited through deception and fraud (Jordan et al, 2013). People of color are also disproportionately affected by poverty, thus contributing to any existing vulnerabilities to sexual exploitation (Clawson et al, 2009; Farley et al, 2011). Factors such as racism, sexism, and classism become structural barriers that continually oppress those who are politically, economically, or culturally disadvantaged, primarily women and girls who are oppressed by their race and class in addition to their sex (Kurtz et al, 2005).…”