Sexual Exploitation Research Articles

The power of words: the impact of police interviewer’s judgment error and apology on sexual violence victims in simulated interviews

This experiment examines how a police interviewer’s judgment error and apology affect a sexual violence victim’s secondary victimization, trust in the interviewer, rapport, and willingness to provide information. Ninety students from Peru were asked to imagine being sexual violence victims and were interviewed online by a mock police interviewer. Participants were randomized into three conditions: judgment error without apology, judgment error with apology, and a no-error control. The judgment error involved suggesting the victim was partly responsible for their victimhood, citing women’s clothing choices and questioning men’s masculinity. Our findings show judgment errors reduced trust, rapport, and willingness to provide information while increasing secondary victimization; apologizing improved trust and rapport but did not affect secondary victimization or willingness to provide information. These outcomes indicate that judgment errors in sexual violence victim interviews can negatively impact the interviewing process and outcomes and highlight the importance of an apology.

Gender Differences in Sexual Violence Victimization Experiences and Validity of Victimization Reports: A Think-Aloud Study

ABSTRACT This study compared the qualitative nature of women and men’s sexual violence (SV) victimization, the types of experiences captured and missed on the Sexual Experiences Survey-Short Form Victimization (SES-SFV) across genders, and common interpretations of the SES-SFV items. Fifty-four university students (31 women, 21 cis men, 2 trans men) who had recent unwanted (but not necessarily nonconsensual) sexual experiences thought out loud while privately completing the SES-SFV. They also typed descriptions of experiences reported on SES-SFV items or similar experiences when nothing was reported on an item. Results indicated that women’s victimization was more frequent and severe than cis men’s, except when men were victimized by men. Although verbal coercion was common across genders, event descriptions indicated that women’s verbal coercion experiences were more often harsh and part of a partner’s ongoing SV or coercive control. The findings suggest that quantitative measurement can mask important gender differences in victimization and (based on analysis of false positives and negatives) may underestimate rape and attempted rape experiences, especially women’s. Findings suggested that responding to the SES-SFV was not traumatic or distressing. However, participants sometimes expressed confusion about the items and interpreted them in unintended ways.

Examining the Effect of Interviewee Behaviour in Assessing Sexual Assault Victim Credibility

Sexual assault victims face doubts of their credibility when disclosing their experiences. Because of the traumatic nature of the assault, victims behave and express their emotions uniquely, which may impact their perceived credibility. The current study examined how a victim’s behaviour impacts their credibility during an investigative interview. Participants (N = 240) read one of six transcripts, depicting the investigative interview of a fictional sexual assault case. The victim (a male or female) displayed one of three behaviours (typical: crying; atypical: laughing; or neutral). After reading the interview transcript, participants assessed the victim’s credibility using the Witness Credibility Scale. Findings showed that women were perceived to be more credible than men, regardless of emotional expression (p = .032, BF10 = 1.385). There were no differences in the credibility of victims as a function of interviewee behaviors (p = .593, BF10= 0.071).

Unveiling Sexting’s Dark Side: Exploring the Psychological and Childhood Correlates of Coercive Sexting

Sexting has become an increasingly popular sexual behaviour, and with this, sexting coercion has become a new form of sexual victimization. Archival data from an anonymized community sample (18-30 years old), previously collected for a study related to consensual and unsolicited sexting was used for the current study. Approximately 1 in 4 participants (29%; 816/2812; Nwomen = 569, Nmen = 184) reported being pressured or threatened into sexting. Odds ratio analyses were used to assess psychological and childhood correlates of coercive sexting. Results found that gender (OR = .262, p < .001, 95% CI [.215, .320]), higher reported peer pressure (OR = 1.508, p < .001, 95% CI [1.402, 1.623]), and increased familial instability during childhood (OR = 3.378, p < .001, 95% CI [2.176, 5.245]) were significant correlates for experiencing coercive sexting. The current findings will help inform educational materials and prevention efforts to decrease rates of sexting victimization.

Traumatic Outcomes of Girls’ Street Gang Exposure: Exploring the Role of Perpetrated Violence and Sexual Exploitation Victimization

Traumatic Outcomes of Girls’ Street Gang Exposure: Exploring the Role of Perpetrated Violence and Sexual Exploitation Victimization

Rape victim advocates’ perceptions of a racial bias in the #MeToo movement

While applauded as important for survivors, the #MeToo movement is criticized for ignoring survivors of color. Interviews with 41 rape victim advocates reveal that they perceive a racial bias in the movement. Eighteen advocates note that an African American woman started the movement, but it did not garner attention until taken over by White survivors and celebrities. Advocates perceive that the movement does not give victims of color a voice, and they are not believed (15 advocates discuss). According to 13 advocates, the movement reflects societal racial bias and blame of survivors of color. Understanding advocates’ perceptions could improve the recognition and inclusion of survivors of color, not only by the #MeToo movement but also in general sexual victimization awareness.

Police forces struggle to tackle child sexual exploitation cases

Police forces struggle to tackle child sexual exploitation cases

Prevención de la trata de personas y la explotación sexual comercial infantil en hoteles de cinco estrellas. El caso Bahía de Tangolunda, Oaxaca

Tourism activity can lead to social problems that affect the most vulnerable members of our society; that is the reason there are a series of national and international instruments that protect children and teenagers from human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation. In Mexico, tourism service providers (especially those dedicated to lodging) can follow the guidelines of the National Code of Conduct for the Protection of Girls, Boys and Teenagers in the Travel and Tourism Sector adapted by the Ministry of Tourism (SECTUR), to avoid putting children and adolescents at risk. This qualitative research with a descriptive scope analyzed the processes of five hotels registered in the RNT (National Tourism Registry) as five-star lodging establishments in Tangolunda Bay, Oaxaca. It was found that the five hotels studied followed the six established guidelines, and reached the objectives of this implementation through different means, all of them approved by SECTUR; this institution reported that very few tourist service providers nationwide have established the code for the prevention of trafficking of children and teenagers and the commercial sexual exploitation of children.

Psychosocial Syndemic Burden, Sexual Behaviors, and Engagement in HIV Prevention Care Among Sexual and Gender Minority Youths: United States, 2022.

Objectives. To examine linear and nonlinear associations between psychosocial syndemic factors and HIV risk and engagement in HIV prevention care among sexual and gender minority (SGM) youths. Methods. Between February and October 2022, we recruited 17 578 SGM youths aged 13 to 18 years in the United States for an online survey. We examined the relationship of syndemics (i.e., binge drinking, drug use, sexual victimization, and anti-lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender discrimination) with sexual behaviors (i.e., sexual initiation, condomless anal or vaginal sex, and number of sexual partners) and HIV prevention care (i.e., HIV testing, preexposure prophylaxis awareness and utilization) using regression. Results. Psychosocial syndemic burden (number of syndemic factors reported) was linearly and cubically associated with engagement in sexual behaviors. Psychosocial syndemic burden was linearly associated with higher HIV testing and preexposure prophylaxis awareness and cubically associated with higher preexposure prophylaxis utilization. Conclusions. Our findings are evidence of synergism across psychosocial syndemic factors regarding HIV risk and engagement in HIV prevention care among SGM youths in the United States. Public Health Implications. Multicomponent interventions may help reduce HIV risk and promote access to HIV prevention services among SGM individuals aged 13 to 18 years. (Am J Public Health. 2024;114(9):892-902. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2024.307753).

Adolescent Relationship Abuse Among Hospitalized Adolescents

ObjectiveWe assessed adolescent relationship abuse (ARA) prevalence and ARA intervention acceptability and perceived benefit among hospitalized adolescents and young adults (AYA). MethodsThis was a planned secondary analysis of a cross-sectional survey exploring sexual and reproductive health among a convenience sample of AYA (14–25 years) hospitalized in medical/surgical units at two Midwest children’s hospitals. Survey items assessed history of dating, lifetime prevalence of four types of ARA (physical abuse, sexual abuse, reproductive coercion, sexual exploitation), and demographics. ResultsAmong 324 participants, 72.5% reported dating and, among those with history of dating, 17% reported one or more types of ARA. ARA was more common among those who reported foregone health care in the preceding 12 months. There was no difference in likelihood of dating and ARA between those with and without a chronic health condition. Approximately half felt it is helpful for clinicians to discuss dating relationships with adolescents (58.6%) and acceptable to do this during a hospitalization (50.6%). Conversations with clinicians about dating relationships were more likely to be reported helpful by those who had dated (63.9% reporting dating vs 50.6% not reporting dating, P 0.04) and those who reported prior ARA (79.5% reporting ARA vs 60.4% not reporting ARA, P 0.02). ConclusionsHospitalization may represent a unique opportunity to support healthy AYA dating relationships. Further work is needed to further explore acceptability and feasibility of such interventions.

Evaluation of access to established coping mechanisms against poverty-induced child violence in Mpigi District, Ugand

This study explored access to coping strategies against poverty-induced violence among children living in impoverished conditions in Mpigi District. Data were collected through self-administered questionnaires and documentary analysis. A total of 109 participants consented to take part in the study. Results revealed a high incidence of violence against children, with respondents acknowledging various forms of abuse, including physical (hitting/slapping), psychological (verbal abuse), sexual (assault and rape), and economic (withholding resources) violence. Children from economically disadvantaged households were particularly vulnerable to these abuses. Specifically, 46.2% of participants agreed, and 12.8% strongly agreed, that children experience physical violence within their homes. Moreover, 51.3% agreed, and 15.4% strongly agreed, that children face psychological violence in domestic settings. Notably, 33.3% of participants agreed, and 23.1% strongly agreed, that children endure sexual violence, while 38.5% agreed, and 30.8% strongly agreed, that children experience economic violence, including the withholding of financial resources. These findings highlight an urgent need for comprehensive strategies to protect children from sexual exploitation and to support survivors. Addressing sexual violence is crucial for safeguarding children’s rights and promoting their overall well-being. The study also revealed the extent of economic violence faced by children in impoverished households in Mpigi District, suggesting that such violence perpetuates cycles of poverty and vulnerability by denying children access to basic needs and increasing the risk of child labor. Tackling economic violence is essential for ensuring that children’s fundamental needs are met and for reducing child labor rates. Identified coping mechanisms included seeking social support from family and friends (56.4%), utilizing formal support and legal services (69.3%), accessing public recreational facilities (69.3%), engaging in income-generating activities (65.9%), participating in community-based groups (23.1%), and seeking professional help (15.4%). This study underscores the barriers marginalized populations face in accessing formal support services and highlights the need for culturally sensitive and accessible mental health resources. Addressing psychological violence is vital for promoting children’s mental health and preventing long-term emotional harm. Keywords: Poverty-induced violence, Coping strategies, Economic violence, Child abuse, Social support, Mental health resources

Risk Factors for Suicide Among Professional Athletes.

Suicide is a major public health concern that affects all demographics. Risk factors for suicide in professional athletes are poorly understood compared with the general population. The goal of this study was (1) to explore the current literature on risk factors for suicide in the population of professional athletes and (2) to formulate a proposed suicide risk identification tool as the first step in the production of a validated screening method specific to this population. A comprehensive literature search for relevant publications was carried out through 7 databases. There is some evidence to suggest that retirement, anabolic androgenic steroid use, sexual abuse victimization, health problems, financial issues, relationship issues, having immigrant parents, having a financially disadvantaged childhood, using self-blame or behavioral disengagement as a coping strategy, changes in appetite or weight, sleep problems, reduced competitiveness, and thinking about a career after retirement are potential risk factors for suicide in this population. There is limited evidence to suggest that having a career in elite or professional sports, participation in contact sports, and participating in specific sports that are not associated with a higher suspected prevalence of performance-enhancing drug use are potential risk factors. This study identified potential risk factors for suicide among elite and professional athletes. These findings were used to help formulate a proposed suicide risk identification tool. Future research is recommended to explore and clarify specific risk factors for suicide in this population and to test the validity of the proposed tool.

“Rise up and tell it”: Go Tell It on the Mountain , #ChurchToo, and James Baldwin’s Christian Witnesses

Abstract: This essay reads James Baldwin’s depiction of women witnessing against a preacher in his novel Go Tell It on the Mountain . It situates him in the company of contemporary #MeToo and #ChurchToo activists and Black theologians who call for accountability and reform in the church through the language of witness. Focusing on Baldwin’s witnessing women, the essay considers how the novel speaks into contemporary conversations about abuses of power and the treatment of sexual assault victims within the church. It argues that Baldwin’s novel urges contemporary readers to bear bold witness to their experiences in church and to listen and act in response to the witness of others.

아동 범죄피해자 진술의 증거능력과 헌법상 반대신문권 - 미국법원 판례의 비교법적 고찰

The defendant's right to cross-examine witnesses is established as a constitutional right under the Confrontation Clause of the Sixth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Our criminal procedure law also provides for the right to cross-examine, and the Constitutional Court has determined that this right forms a core part of the constitutional right to a fair trial. However, when the victim of a crime is a child, the issue arises of how to ensure the defendant's right to cross-examination in such cases. This presents a conflict between guaranteeing the defendant's right to cross-examine and protecting the interests of the child victim. It also touches on the issue of the strict application of the hearsay rule versus the recognition of reasonable exceptions. In the United States, various cases have raised issues concerning the protection of child crime victims and the guarantee of the Confrontation Clause under the Sixth Amendment. U.S. case law has addressed controversies in instances where child victims testified using one-way closed-circuit television, or where teachers testified in court about statements made by the child rather than the child testifying directly. Additionally, a recent case in Virginia brought into question the admissibility of forensic interview recordings of a child victim as evidence. In contrast, the Constitutional Court of Korea ruled that a provision of the Sexual Violence Punishment Act, which recognized the admissibility of video statements by sexual violence victims under the age of 19, violated the Constitution by infringing on the defendant's right to cross-examination, which is a core component of the constitutional right to a fair trial. Following this decision, the Sexual Violence Punishment Act was amended to harmonize the defendant's right to cross-examination with the protection of child victims. This paper examines U.S. court rulings on the admissibility of child victim statements, the decisions of the Korean Constitutional Court, and recent amendments to the Sexual Violence Punishment Act. It explores the principles and exceptions concerning the application of the hearsay rule and the right to cross-examination in cases where the victim is a child, as well as rational approaches to the operation of these systems.

Ending child marriages through young people’s movement building: the case of community champions in Mutasa District, Zimbabwe

Despite efforts made to promote gender equality in all spheres of life, women, especially young girls below the age of 18 years from marginalised African communities continue to face a plethora of challenges such as harmful practises and negative gender stereotypes which hinder them from realising their full potential. Included in these harmful practises is the abhorrent act of child sexual exploitation in the name of child marriages. There are several initiatives by different actors to end child marriages and Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) Africa Trust (SAT), Zimbabwe is one Civil Society Organisation (CSO) that has made significant strides in contributing towards ending child sexual exploitation. The organisation works to empower adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) to define their needs and undertakes various forms of advocacy including awareness raising and direct advocacy with key decision-makers. Interventions contribute to reducing self-stigma that disempowers adolescents and young people from realising their full potential. This article discusses an intervention that SAT has spearheaded in a bid to contribute to the end of child sexual exploitation and the role social workers can play to work with Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) such as SAT in ending child marriages. How to reference using ASWNet style: Mushunje, M., Ismail-Mauto, H. & Mazhambe R. (2024). Ending child marriages through young people’s movement building: the case of community champions in Mutasa District, Zimbabwe. African Journal of Social Work, 14(4), 207-216. https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/ajsw.v14i4.4 Visit journal website: https://ajsw.africasocialwork.net

Uncovering the Hidden: Investigating Influences on Sexual Victimization Among 439 Transgender and Gender Diverse Individuals Behind Bars

ABSTRACT Despite repeated reports of sexual victimization by transgender and gender diverse (TGD) people who are incarcerated, there remains little literature on the source of this sexual assault and the factors that heightened likelihood of experiencing assault while incarcerated. The current research (n = 439) is the first known study aimed at understanding whether individual and state-level factors influence sexual assault while incarcerated. Utilizing data from the 2015 United States Transgender Survey and Malkin and DeJong’s (2018) PREA compliance study, analyses were conducted to understand whether individual differences and the number of transgender-specific PREA policies were associated with the likelihood of experiencing sexual assault while incarcerated. Whether perpetrated by facility staff or another inmate, People of Color were significantly more likely to experience sexual assault compared to their White counterparts. A preliminary chi-square analysis also found significant differences in the prevalence of sexual assault based on how many transgender-specific PREA policies a state had implemented with states with more policies reporting a less sexual assault. Findings support the need to further understand the experiences and vulnerability of TGD people who are incarcerated in the United States, and potential policies and legislation that can combat sexual violence.

Integrating pastoral care and appreciative inquiry for sex trafficking survivors: A framework for healing

Integrating appreciative inquiry (AI) and pastoral care may help address the complex issues of commercial sexual exploitation and sex trafficking. This article explores the benefits of incorporating AI principles into pastoral care for survivors of commercial sexual exploitation and sex trafficking. Commercial sexual exploitation and trafficking involve exploitation, degradation, and violence, making them complex issues. By understanding the sex trade, we can recognise that prostitution is an act of exploitation. Some scholars believe that prostitution and human trafficking are interconnected, with a focus on exploiting the poor, especially women and children. Commercial sexual exploitation can cause mental, emotional, and spiritual distress. Survivors require comprehensive aftercare to address their spiritual, self-esteem, and dignity needs. Organisational development-based AI is constructive and strength-based. Appreciative inquiry promotes positive development, community and individual strength, and resilience by re-contextualizing narratives and envisioning brighter futures. The use of AI could improve pastoral care and holistic rehabilitation. Pastoral caregivers using AI can promote reconciliation, development, and rehabilitation. Using strengths-based strategies, pastoral care practitioners can help survivors regain agency and purpose. Survivors receive spiritual support through the Appreciative Way, which combines contemplative spirituality and inquiry. Narrative exploration can help trauma survivors envision a bright future based on love and resilience. This study suggests that AI principles may benefit pastoral care recipients who have experienced commercial sexual exploitation and sex trafficking. Pastoral caregivers can help survivors regain dignity, calling, and well-being by implementing an appreciative healing approach.Contribution: The article sheds light on the dehumanising consequences of sex trafficking on vulnerable populations in South Africa, particularly women and children. This article aims to explain how AI concepts can be applied to Practical Theology. Specifically, this article will demonstrate how the Appreciative Way can be utilised in pastoral care for healing from sex trafficking trauma.

Screening college athletes for sexual violence: athletes’ experiences and opinions on best practices

ObjectivesCollege athletes are at elevated risk for sexual violence, yet few formally report it and screening for sexual violence is uncommon. This study aimed to evaluate the nature of screening...

Strategies for Implementing GlobalConsent to Prevent Sexual Violence in University Men (SCALE): study protocol for a national implementation trial

BackgroundGlobally, women 15–24 years are at heightened risk of sexual violence victimization, a risk factor for adverse mental, physical, and behavioral health outcomes. Sexual violence is common at universities and most often perpetrated by men, yet few evidence-based prevention strategies targeting men have been tested in low- and middle-income countries. GlobalConsent is a six-module, web-based educational program adapted from an efficacious U.S.-based program. Nine months post-treatment in a randomized trial in Vietnam, GlobalConsent reduced men’s sexually violent behavior (odds ratio [OR] = 0.71, 95%CI 0.50–1.00) and increased prosocial intervening behavior (OR = 1.51, 1.00–2.28) relative to an attention-control. Evidence regarding optimal implementation strategies for scale up is needed.MethodsWe will randomize six medical universities in North, Central, and South Vietnam to deliver GlobalConsent using two different packages of implementation strategies that vary in intensity. Higher-intensity strategies will include greater (1) pre- and post-implementation engagement with university leaders and faculty and (2) greater pre-implementation outreach, follow-up, and incentives for students to promote engagement and completion of GlobalConsent. Higher intensity universities will receive additional training and support for their added activities. We will compare implementation drivers and outcomes, intervention effectiveness, and cost-effectiveness across the two implementation bundles. Our mixed-methods comparative interrupted time series design includes (1) qualitative interviews and quantitative surveys with university leaders and implementation teams to assess implementation barriers and facilitators; (2) repeated surveys with leaders and faculty, implementation teams, and male students to assess multilevel implementation drivers and outcomes; (3) repeated surveys with male students to assess behavioral outcomes (sexual violence and intervening behavior) and mediating variables (knowledge, attitudes, affect, and capacities); and (4) time diaries and cost tracking to assess cost-effectiveness of the two implementation-strategies bundles.DiscussionThis project is the first to assess packages of implementation strategies to deliver an efficacious web-based sexual violence prevention program for undergraduate men across all regions of Vietnam and synergizes with a violence-prevention training initiative (D43TW012188). This approach will produce rigorous evidence about how to disseminate GlobalConsent nationally, which holds promise to reduce gender-based health inequities linked to sexual violence as GlobalConsent is brought to scale.Trial registrationNCT06443541. Retrospectively registered with ClinicalTrials.gov. Registered on June 05, 2024.

The “virtual” child: The unconscious functions of child sexual exploitation material

AbstractThe narratives of individuals using child sexual exploitation material (CSEM) highlight the individual and unconscious functions of this type of sexual offense. Fluid cycles of projection into and identification with the children in the imagery were evident, as were marked differences in the intensity and exclusivity of pedophilic sexual preference. Anger was a common trigger, but conscious awareness of any associated hostilities toward the child in the imagery was vigorously defended against. The Internet, the now dominant context of child sexual abuse, offers a distinct type of environment, on the porous boundary between the internal and the external, that seems to encourage regression to early, varied paraphilic sexuality and part‐object relations. Interactions in online forums facilitated the projection of pedophilic interests and sadistic impulses into other users. Broad empirical findings on the characteristics of those who use CSEM, coupled with this study and clinical experience, suggest that many who engage in this activity have an essentially neurotic structure.