Risk Factors for Commercial Sexual Exploitation Among Runaway Youth

Background: Running away from home has been identified as a major risk factor for domestic minor sex trafficking in the U.S.; yet, few empirical studies have examined the risk factors for involvement in the commercial sex industry specifically among runaway youth. Identifying risk factors prior to entering the commercial sex industry among individuals with runaway histories can inform future anti-trafficking interventions and policy initiatives aimed at serving this at risk population.

Methods: A cross-sectional, retrospective survey was administered to individuals currently involved in the commercial sex industry in five cities in one Midwestern state using Respondent Driven Sampling (N = 328). Runaway history was assessed through a single dichotomous indicator (yes/no) asking respondents whether they had ever run away from home. Risk factors were measured through single dichotomous indicators (yes/no) asking respondents to indicate whether they experienced the following prior to entering the commercial sex industry: rape, childhood physical, sexual and emotional abuse, homelessness, worried about eating/where to sleep, frequent alcohol and drug use, mental health diagnosis (PTSD, depression, anxiety, or other), dropped out of school, involved in a gang, spent time in juvenile detention, had friends who bought sex, had friends who sold sex, and had an older boyfriend/girlfriend. Chi-square tests and three binary logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine the relationship between risk factors prior to entering the sex industry and running away.

Results: A total of 129 (39.3%) respondents currently involved in the commercial sex industry reported ever running away from home. Chi-square results suggest significant associations between running away and spending time in juvenile detention (χ2 = 10.68; p<. 01); childhood emotional abuse (χ2 = 9.75; p<. 01); childhood physical abuse (χ2 = 7.83; p<. 01); having friends who sold sex (χ2 = 9.10; p<. 01); having friends who bought sex (χ2 = 11.71; p<. 01); having an older boyfriend/girlfriend (χ2 = 22.54; p<. 001); dropping out of school (χ2 = 33.61; p<. 001); worried about where to eat/sleep (χ2 = 15.47; p<. 001); homelessness (χ2 = 11.23; p<. 01); mental health diagnosis (χ2 = 8.35; p<. 01); and frequent alcohol and drug use (χ2 = 21.29; p<. 001). Multivariate analyses reveal that runaways were more likely to have frequently used drugs or alcohol prior to entering (OR = 2.23; 95% CI = 1.31, 3.79) and to have dropped out of school prior to entering (OR = 3.05; 95% CI = 1.65, 5.63) compared to non-runaways, after controlling for other variables.

Conclusion: Given the prevalence of runaway histories among respondents, findings highlight the need for targeted practice and policy interventions specifically for runaway youth. Findings also suggest an at-risk profile among runaways and suggest that dropping out of school, as well as frequent alcohol and drug use, may be the strongest predictors for involvement in the commercial sex industry among runaways, which can be important entry points for early intervention.