Youth Arrested for Trading Sex Have the Highest Rates of Childhood Adversity: A Statewide Study of Juvenile Offenders

Abstract

A history of childhood adversity is associated with high-risk behaviors and criminal activity in both adolescents and adults. Furthermore, individuals with histories of child maltreatment are at higher risk for engaging in risky sexual behavior, experiencing re-victimization, and in some cases, becoming sexual offenders. The purpose of the current study was to examine the prevalence of individual and cumulative adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) reported by 102 offending youth who were arrested for trading sex and 64,227 offending youth who were arrested for various other crimes, using Florida's Positive Achievement Change Tool. Youth with violations related to sex trafficking had higher rates for each ACE as well as number of ACEs, particularly sexual abuse and physical neglect. These findings have implications for identifying adverse experiences in both maltreated and offending youth as well as tailoring services to prevent re-victimization.

Adapting a family intervention to reduce risk factors for sexual exploitation

“…A second emergent consideration during the setting the stage phase was the high prevalence of misconceptions and alternative perspectives surrounding sexual exploitation. This is aligned with existing data that suggests that many victims of sexual exploitation do not identify as victims, nor do they label their relationships as exploitative [8]. Content experts in the current study emphasized these misconceptions.…”

“…Recent research confirms that youth who have been sexually exploited have the highest numbers of ACES, with sexual abuse being the most common [8,9]. Poor family functioning or conflict is a significant contributing or exacerbating factor for running away or being asked to leave home [8][9][10].…”

“…Adverse childhood experiences and ongoing adversity such as child abuse and neglect, homelessness (running away or being "thrown-away"), LGBTQ+ identity, and being involved with child welfare or criminal justice systems, all contribute to exposing youth to risky circumstances leading to their sexual exploitation [7]. Recent research confirms that youth who have been sexually exploited have the highest numbers of ACES, with sexual abuse being the most common [8,9]. Poor family functioning or conflict is a significant contributing or exacerbating factor for running away or being asked to leave home [8][9][10].…”

“…Minorities, inclusive of sexual/gender minority youth are disproportionately overrepresented in current estimates of people who have been sexually exploited [8,11,12].…”

You Learn What You Live: Prevalence of Childhood Adversity in the Lives of Juveniles Arrested for Sexual Offenses

“…Youths who were lured into sex trafficking and later arrested were found to have extraordinarily high rates of every single ACE (the highest being parental neglect and sexual abuse), and higher cumulative ACE scores than non-trafficked youths (Naramore, Bright, Epps, & Hardt, 2015). Thus, maltreated children are especially vulnerable to re-victimization by sexual predators and human traffickers, but they may also be at increased risk for engaging in behaviors that violate the sexual boundaries of others.…”