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Child sexual abuse and adolescent prostitution: a comparative analysis
1Department of Criminal Justice, Loyola University of Chicago, Illinois 60611.
Adolescence
|January 1, 1989
Summary
Child sexual abuse does not directly lead to adolescent prostitution. Instead, runaway behavior acts as an intermediary, connecting abuse experiences to involvement in prostitution among adolescents.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Criminology
Background:
- Child sexual abuse is frequently observed in adolescent prostitution.
- Previous research suggests a direct link between childhood sexual abuse and adolescent prostitution, particularly for girls.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the complex relationship between sexual abuse and adolescent prostitution.
- To identify potential intervening variables in this relationship.
Main Methods:
- A comparative study involving 70 sexually abused children and 35 children involved in prostitution.
- Analysis of 22 variables to understand the connection between the two groups.
Main Results:
- The relationship between sexual abuse and adolescent prostitution is not direct.
- Runaway behavior was identified as a significant intervening variable.
- Adolescents who run away are more likely to become involved in prostitution than those who experience sexual abuse directly leading to it.
Conclusions:
- Runaway behavior, rather than direct causation from sexual abuse, is a key factor in adolescent prostitution.
- Treatment strategies should consider the role of running away in the pathways to prostitution for sexually abused youth.