Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Adolescents’ involvement in sex work in New Zealand has been associated with a range of adverse effects on physical, psychological, and social well-being, and is framed by domestic legislation and international obligations.AIM: The study aimed to ascertain the nature of adolescents’ experiences of sex work, and how their current and past environments impacted on their understanding of their involvement in sex work.METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were used with a sample of eight adolescents aged 16-20 who became involved with sex work between ages 12 and 16.FINDINGS: The study found that participants’ exposure to physical and sexual abuse in childhood had informed their internal working models of normative gendered behaviour. These models were then reinforced by exposure to the gendered power differential inherent in the sex work sub-culture. Participants experienced sexual experiences as being solely dictated by men, and frequently normalised transgressions against physical and/or sexual integrity.CONCLUSION: The prevalence and acceptance of gendered harm among this population group indicates the need to appropriately address vulnerable adolescents’ abuse histories, challenge restrictive conceptions of gender, and actively combat the pervasive presence of gendered violence and inequality among this population group.
Highlights
Adolescents’ involvement in sex work in New Zealand has been associated with a range of adverse effects on physical, psychological, and social well-being, and is framed by domestic legislation and international obligations
To moderate the impact of this conditioning on future gendered expectations, abuse histories should be comprehensively addressed through trauma-focussed interventions, and sexuality and consent education programmes targeted to high-risk groups
The prevalence and normalisation of intimate partner violence should be actively combated at individual, community, and societal levels, and professions educated about the implicit messages that child sexual abuse and the witnessing of intimate partner violence transmits to children
Summary
Adolescents’ involvement in sex work in New Zealand has been associated with a range of adverse effects on physical, psychological, and social well-being, and is framed by domestic legislation and international obligations. For the purposes of this research, young people/adolescents are considered to be people aged over 12 and under 18 years of age. According to a study conducted by ECPAT NZ, 194 children and young people aged under 18 years of age were known by social service professionals to be involved in USW in New Zealand in 2002 (Saphira, 2002).
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