Abstract
This study seeks to assess the nature and extent of childhood emotional abuse among adult women in a residential prostitution-exiting program. Regression analyses were conducted to assess the unique role of childhood emotional abuse in the prediction of age of entry into prostitution. Childhood emotional abuse, a history of running away during childhood, and participating in survival-based exchanges of sex were significantly associated with the commercial sexual exploitation of girls younger than age 18, while childhood emotional abuse contributed to predicting a younger age of entry. Results are discussed regarding policy, prevention, and future research.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 562-579 |
Number of pages | 18 |
Journal | Violence Against Women |
Volume | 18 |
Issue number | 5 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - May 2012 |
Keywords
- age of entry
- childhood emotional abuse
- juvenile prostitution
- prostitution
- sex work
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Gender Studies
- Sociology and Political Science
- Law