Sexual and Gender Expansive Homeless Youth with Previous Child Welfare System-Involvement: Risks for Victimization

Background and Purpose

Until recently, limited attention has been given to the experiences of child welfare system-involved (CWS-I) sexual and gender expansive (SGE) youth. Although CWS-I SGE youth share similar experiences with heterosexual, cisgender CWS-I youth, (i.e., histories of trauma, poor relationships with parents/caregivers), they also have distinctive experiences specific to their sexual orientation, gender identity and expression (SOGIE). The intersectionality between foster care and homelessness is well established through research (Zlotnick, 2009). As high as 50% of the foster youth who age out of care are considered homeless or unstably housed within 18 months of leaving foster care (Kushel, Yen, Gee, & Courtney, 2007). An intersectionality also exists between SOGIE and homelessness, as SGE youth are overrepresented among runaway and homeless youth populations (Keuroghlian, Shtasel, & Bassuk, 2014).  Furthermore, Detlaff & Washburn (2016) found that as high as 22.8% of children in out-of-home care identified as SGE youth. The purpose of this study was to better understand the experiences of SGE youth who were both homeless and who had previous involvement with the child welfare system. We wanted to examine whether they were at an increased risk for cumulative trauma (i.e. family violence, sexual victimization, trafficking) than their heterosexual, cisgender counterparts. We also explore how these factors influence the overall mental health and risk behaviors of this underserved population.

Methods

This descriptive study uses data from the 2015 Atlanta Homeless Youth Count and Needs Assessment (AHYCNA) to examine whether a subsample, comprised of previously child welfare system-involved youth, have distinctive experiences when compared on their sexual and gender identity. The AHYCNA is the first of its kind to use a sophisticated capture-recapture method to count homeless youth; a more robust method than the annual Point-in-Time (PIT) count surveys overwhelmingly used by local and state governments. Homeless and runaway youth in the metro Atlanta area with no permanent stable residence of their own, and who were living independently without consistent parental or family support between May-July 2015 were eligible to participate. The full sample was comprised of 693 homeless youth; 43% (n=295) of which reported previous CWS-I and 47% (n=93) of the CWS-I subsample self-identified as a SGE youth.

Results

Both SGE and heterosexual, cisgender youth with previous child welfare involvement were exposed to violence in their homes (77.2% and 70.8%, respectively) and neighborhoods (77.2% and 81.8%) at an alarming rate. However, SGE youth with previous child welfare involvement experienced sexual abuse, engaged in sex work or had been sexually victimized at a significantly higher rate than heterosexual, cisgender youth.

Implications for Practice

Study results underscore the importance of identifying SGE youth within the child welfare system in order address their unique needs and challenges and better prepare them for their exit from the system to prevent homelessness and ongoing exposure to trauma. Policy advocates are challenged not only to intervene with the currently homeless population, but to also prevent the pathways to system involvement that begin within the home of origin for the youth.