Agencies and organizations that provide services to survivors of commercial sexual exploitation work to meet their needs across multiple domains, including safety, housing, education, employment, and relationships. These factors are key social determinants of health and thus, such agencies and organizations also impact survivors health. However, less common in service delivery is assistance connecting survivors to healthcare professionals who are specifically trained and equipped to provide needed care.
Two main sources of data were collected to understand the physical and psychological health concerns, behaviors related to accessing care, and challenges to meeting the healthcare needs of young people experiencing commercial sexual exploitation. Quantitative survey data a large sample of 534 young people from across the US between the ages of 13-24 who experienced minor sex trafficking or who are at high risk for experiencing sex trafficking provide information about the health needs and conditions, health care utilization, and health care experiences for this population. Qualitative data gathered through in-depth, semi-structured interviews of 35 adult survivors of minor sex trafficking provided survivor narratives of their experiences seeking healthcare and meeting their healthcare needs across multiple stages of survivorship.
(Author summary provided.)