Retention Rates of Sex trafficked and At-risk Youth in a Rehabilitation Center

Abstract

Sex trafficking is a prevalent criminal enterprise in the world. The United States has the second largest sex trafficking market in the world. There are rehabilitation facilities and interventions that exist for children and young people who experience commercial sexual exploitation (CSEC). However, there remains limited information on the most effective interventions for these young people. The study aims to report on the at-risk and sex trafficked youth in a facility in Arizona, retention, as well as risk factors that differentiate these two cohorts. By comparing 69 sex trafficked youth to 70 at-risk youth, we can further delineate how prior sexual abuse, emotional abuse and substance abuse affects rates of retention. Findings indicate that CSEC girls were more likely to run away. There was a statistically significant difference between the CSEC and non-CSEC girls with regards to substance abuse and sexual abuse. The two groups did not differ significantly in terms of emotional abuse.