Midterm Paper - Sex Trafficking

docx

School

Ohio State University *

*We aren’t endorsed by this school

Course

5006

Subject

Sociology

Date

Jun 24, 2024

Type

docx

Pages

Uploaded by LieutenantIce12457

SEX TRAFFICKING 1 Sex Trafficking Ashley Treharne The Ohio State University, College of Social Work SWK 5006: Sexualities, Diversity, and Social Work Jorie Schwartz, MSW, LISW-S June 4 th , 2024

SEX TRAFFICKING 2 Sex Trafficking Within our communities, youth have become a vulnerable population for commercial sexual exploitation, a term known as sex trafficking. At the highest risk for vulnerability of sex trafficking is LGBTQ+ youth with a low socioeconomic background, struggling with substance use disorder, being an ethnic minority or having immigrant status (Xian, Chock, & Dwiggins, 2017). Sex trafficking has steadily received attention in the United States as more laws and policies are implemented to protect youth from sex traffickers who are exploiting them (Browne- James, Litam, McRae, 2021). Lgbtq youth are faced with many risk factors and challenges of commercial sexual exploitation as sex traffickers will use specific recruitment techniques such as spend time building the trust of their victims and spending money on them to make them feel important through grooming (Browne-James, Litam, McRae, 2021). The topic of sex trafficking is relevant to the social work profession as recent research shows how adverse childhood events can have emotional and physical consequences on Lgbtq youth communities such as increases of mental health symptoms, physical illness, and social stigmatization, into adulthood (Browne- James, Litam, McRae, 2021). Sexual exploitation and sexual health In recent years, sex trafficking has become a public health concern and the impact of sexual health and falsely grooming Lgbtq youth into this fantasy that sex trafficking and the fundamental aspects of interpersonal sexual relationships are equal (Fortenberry, 2019). Many victims of trafficking are first targeted between the ages 12 to 15 years. These ages are a crucial time for child development

SEX TRAFFICKING 3 Screenings When a child has experienced sexual exploitation, it is important for practitioners and medical service providers to address the needs of the child for sexually transmitted diseases, sexually transmitted infections, physical abuse, mental health symptoms, so that a child can begin to receive the necessary treatment. Research shows that youth victims will not immediately disclose the sexual abuse they have endured due to many factors such as fear, guilt, shame, and distrust (Peterson et al., 2022). Research shows a high rate of Lgbtq individuals being the target of physical violence toward beginning from childhood. Through a multidisciplinary team of professionals, many healthcare systems have implemented the Ishikawa diagram, a tool that is administered to child sex trafficking victims by a registered nurse (Peterson et al., 2022). Psychosocial information is collected such as the child’s mental health history, physical and sexual abuse through the screening tool (Peterson et al., 2022). Sexual exploitation and its form of technology Lgbtq youth are twice as likely to be targeted compared to heterosexual youth based on adverse childhood experiences, a lack of family support and supervision (Allan, Winters & Jeglic, 2023). The Convention on the Rights of the Child provides child protection against forms of sexual exploitation and sexual violence, including pornography and prostitution (Tolbaru, 2024). These protections include commercial sexual exploitation in video and audio materials, sexual abuse of children, prostitution, sexual slavery, child trafficking and the sale of children for all sexual purposes (Tolbaru, 2024).

Your preview ends here

Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version

Access to all documents
Unlimited textbook solutions
24/7 expert homework help

SEX TRAFFICKING 4 In many cases, youth experience multiple victimization of sexual exploitation both offline, through the sex trafficker seeking ways to build rapport with children that they can get close too. For sexual predators to gain access to children, they will utilize the internet and social media platforms to lure children in through online anonymity (Tolbaru, 2023). Risk factors Lgbtq youth are being targeted by sexual traffickers right in their own community. This is because many Lgbtq youth are experiencing homelessness, a lack of parental support, and access to necessities such as food and water (Xian, Chock & Dwiggins, 2017). Sex traffickers will lure child victims in through sex survival , through understanding their immediate need to receive necessities (Xian, Chock & Dwiggins, 2017). This leads to the effects of attachments to form trust with child victim through secure attachment such as empathic responses and other forms of attachment that a child is lacking to help build that trust of a caregiver as a safe base (Xian, Chock & Dwiggins, 2017). Lgbtq youth individuals who have experienced rejection and abandonment from their parents and caregivers are most vulnerable. The lines of being a caregiver and safe base for child victims have been researched through the relationship between the perpetrator and the child victim. For Lgbtq youth, the trauma that occurs early on from adverse children experiences of betraying event, can make the manipulation of attachment that the perpetrator is trying to convey, seem self-protective (Xian, Chock & Dwiggins, 2017). In the United Sates, The Trafficking Victim Protection Act for crimes against minors, the use of coercion, force, and fraud do not have to established of a crime being committed against a youth (Xian, Chock & Dwiggins, 2017); moreover, when there is evidence that a child receiving value for their survival, is determined to be child being sexually trafficked (Xian, Chock & Dwiggins, 2017).

SEX TRAFFICKING 5 Homelessness Lgbtq youth experience homelessness up to 40% compared to the general population (Xian, Chock & Dwiggins, 2017); Parents and caregivers who are unwilling to accept their child for who they are, abandon them by telling their children to leave their childhood homes. After children reside on the streets, they can begin to experience a dual status of systems; meaning they begin to do poorly in the classroom and have increased run-ins with the juvenile justice system. Sex predators use homelessness to appeal and lure in children by promising them shelter and a safe place to live. Health Disparities When Lgbtq youth are being sex trafficked, they are put at risk for many health disparities and negative health outcomes, including HIV infections, herpes, Aids, Hepatitis B, and Human Papilloma Virus. Nearly half of youth ages 15-24 years are at a greater risk for a sexually transmitted infection (Schwartz, 2024). One way in which we can begin to understand sex health and health disparities is through examining anti oppressive frameworks. These frameworks through an intersectionality lens, provides sex educators, practitioners, and medical professions with insights into how this system such as colonialism, racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, classism and ableism can result in individual discriminatory actions and systemic inequalities, can impact vulnerable populations and their access to health (Schwartz, 2024). Sexuality and Sexual Rights Understanding sexuality is an important aspect of being human and understanding how roles, genders, sexual orientation, pleasure, and intimacy work together within different dimensions (Gruskin, 2019). It is also important to consider sexuality through our behaviors as a

SEX TRAFFICKING 6 form of expression. Many individuals may seek out their own form of sexuality through media and technology such as pornography. Other individuals may rewatch the same movie or documentary to help them better understand the relationship between their sexuality within the biological, psychological, and cultural frameworks (Gruskin, 2019). Sexuality is very diverse and personal to each individual and it can influence who we are as individuals (Schwartz, 2024). Youth and teens will individually reach the age where they too will become interested in learning more about themselves, their sexual feelings, and how the many frameworks of our society can shape our perception on sexuality. It is not uncommon for youth to have questions regarding the topic of sex, sex health, and sexual pleasure. One question that many youths may ask themselves is what is normal? Sexuality is fluid, consensual, and passionate (Schwartz, 2024). However, sexuality and its fluidity changes when a person’s sexual rights are unprotected. Social Workers The prevalence of sex trafficking has received increased attention over the last decade due to the risk factors toward children. Social workers may encounter trafficking survivors at the micro, mezzo, and macro level. At the mezzo level, social workers may work with social services t coordinate community resources and advocate for policies for vulnerable populations through legislation (Gerassi & Nichols, n.d.). One the legislations is called Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA), which was first passed in 2000; has gone through many reauthorizations acts to add additional funding and mandates to support victims of human trafficking and increased transparency of the federal government in their efforts of anti-human trafficking in children and women (U.S Department of Justice, n.d.).

Your preview ends here

Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version

Access to all documents
Unlimited textbook solutions
24/7 expert homework help

SEX TRAFFICKING 7 At the micro level, social workers can implement evidence-based practices and interventions when working with victims of sex trafficking or those who are most at risk to sexual exploitation (George, 2023). Assessments, the gathering of psychosocial information should be culturally sensitive when working with Lgbtq youth and communities. All efforts should be made by social workers and other practitioners through understanding oppression and how identities and identity-based issues should be considered before discussing experiences of sex trafficking with clients (George, 2023). At the macro level, social workers continue to partner and work with organizations on legislation through state and federal policies that not only address the sex trafficking, but also seek ways to support child victims and decrease possible re- victimization (George, 2023). At the macro level, social workers advocate for rights and protections of children who are most vulnerable to trafficking and ratify laws to reduce these risk factors that are making child sex trafficking more accessible to predators (Edwards & Mika, 2017). Sex trafficking requires predators to pay attention to details that children are experiencing that are unique to psychosocial, biological, cultural, classism, and oppression (Edwards & Mika, 2017). To reduce sex trafficking in lgbtq communities, social workers need to be able to recognize the signs of sexual exploitation victims. Sex trafficking creates an overlap for over types of sexual abuse where children may experience multiple types of sexual and physical abuse (Edwards & Mika, 2017). While there is no shortage of challenging that make reducing child sex trafficking within the Lgbqt youth less complex, social workers must navigate this prevalence issue with the help of interdisciplinary teams and utilizing social work interventions that will address this issue.

SEX TRAFFICKING 8 Sex trafficking is a global issue that is having significant impacts on the lgbtq communities as children are being abandoned, without the necessary items needed to survive, and having to turn to survive sex. When children a put in these vulnerable positions, they’re at an increased rate of sexually transmitted diseases, sexually transmitted infections, suicidal ideations, and sexual abuse (Gruskin et al., 2019). It is important to discuss the risk factors of sex trafficking, sexual health, and the sexuality with Lgbtq youth. Many youths are curious and will have questions regarding development and how sex education. With this type of education, youth need to also understand the correlation between sexual rights and what is and is not normal sexual health. Youth need to know that there are laws and policies in place that are meant to support a person's sexual pleasure, enable them to seek information about their bodies and what feels comfortable to them and to be able to exercise their rights (Gruskin et al., 2019). Sex trafficking and sex exploitation cannot become part of the social cultural of taboo topics that we social workers, community members, parents, and caregivers let go unnoticed. The implications for youth to become exposed to sexually transmitted diseases, infections, and marginalization and discrimination is far too great. One potential recommendation of the many that is needed is sex education and health programmed, increased laws and policies put in place to protect our Lgbtq youth and advocacy efforts to fully engage in the discussion of sexual tights, sexual health, sexuality so that youth of the Lgbtq communities have resources for victims of sexual exploitation. Within the social work profession, we as current and future practitioners must continue to bring awareness to the dangers of sex trafficking and expand services to reduce the harm that sexual exploitation does to our youth into adulthood.

SEX TRAFFICKING 9 Reference Browne-James, L., Litam, S. D. A., & McRae, L. (2021). Child Sex Trafficking: Strategies for identification, counseling, and advocacy. International Journal for the Advancement of Counselling , 43 (2), 113–125. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10447-020-09420-y Chisolm-Straker, M., & Stoklosa, H. (2017). Human trafficking is a public health issue. In Springer eBooks . https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-47824-1 Edwards, L., & Mika, K. M. (2016). Advancing the efforts of the macro-level social work response against sex trafficking. International Social Work , 60 (3), 695–706. https://doi.org/10.1177/0020872815617992 Georges, E. Review of the Literature on the Intersection of LGBTQ Youth and CSEC: More Than a Monolith. Curr Pediatr Rep 11 , 105–115 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40124- 023-00302-6 Gerassi, L., & Nichols, A. (2021). Social Work Education that Addresses Trafficking for Sexual Exploitation: An intersectional, anti-oppressive practice framework. Anti Trafficking Review , 17 , 20–37. https://doi.org/10.14197/atr.201221172 Gruskin, S., Yadav, V., Castellanos-Usigli, A., Khizanishvili, G., & Kismödi, E. (2019). Sexual health, sexual rights and sexual pleasure: meaningfully engaging the perfect triangle. Sexual and Reproductive Health Matters , 27 (1), 29–40. https://doi.org/10.1080/26410397.2019.1593787 Tolbaru, C. (2024). Sex Trafficking and Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children within the Context of Globalisation. Bulletin of the “Transilvania” University of Braşov. Series VII, Social Sciences and Law , 215–230. https://doi.org/10.31926/but.ssl.2023.16.65.3.26

Your preview ends here

Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version

Access to all documents
Unlimited textbook solutions
24/7 expert homework help

SEX TRAFFICKING 10 US Congress. Trafficking Victims Protection Act. HR 3244. 2000.

Midterm Paper - Sex Trafficking

Related Documents