The dearth of available information on early onset commercial sexual exploitation (CSE) is a serious knowledge gap. This study sought to identify common patterns and variations in the life histories of adults who experienced CSE prior to the age 11. A community-based participatory research approach was used to conduct interviews at two and three timepoints with 10 adults whose CSE began below age 11. Most participants (n = 8) identified as cis women (Mage = 38). The average age of CSE onset was 4.78 years. Primary traffickers were biological family, step/adoptive caregivers, daycare provider, and a neighbor. Reflective thematic analysis was used to identify six themes: (1) Stolen identities and isolated childhoods; (2) Hidden lives amid severe, chronic abuse; (3) Indifferent to bad to worse family dynamics; (4) Structural oppression: Churches, cults, and patriarchy; (5) Surviving complex trauma; and (6) In the pursuit of justice. Surviving chaotic and unpredictable childhoods that included caregivers’ severe mental illness and chronic abuse resulted in a range of cognitive, somatic, and behavioral responses, such as dissociation and self-injurious behaviors. Although participants were not offered services after exiting CSE and traffickers were never prosecuted, they displayed a strong commitment to help prevent and stop future child exploitation. This is the first study to center the experiences of adults initiated into CSE at very young ages and to use a community-engaged approach to do so. Implications for research, policy, and practice will be discussed.
Trigger Warning: This presentation contains information (written, spoken, or visual) that may be triggering or (re)traumatizing to attendees.
Sarah Godoy (she/her) is a doctoral candidate at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. This fall, she will transition into an assistant professor role at the Silver School of Social Work at New York University (NYU). Her work aims to explore strategies to prevent and stop the commercial sexual exploitation of children and adults.
Christine Bellatorre (she/her) is the founder of You Belong and a subject matter expert for the Human Trafficking Collective. She holds a Masters of Intercultural Studies with Children at Risk. She is a national expert on familial trafficking and trauma informed care. She aims to provide training and specialized care for survivors of familial trafficking.
Angela Calliope (she/her) is a MindBodyEnergy Coach, writer, and speaker. She provides self-directed consent-based coaching. She has several books in development. She creates trauma informed tools for the anti-trafficking movement utilizing peer research to improve care and response for survivors.
Jasmine Myers (she/her) is a passionate advocate with 10 years’ experience in the domestic violence, mental health, and human trafficking fields. Jasmine obtained a Master’s in Science of Social Administration from Case Western Reserve University. She openly shares her lived-experience as a tool to educate and inspire to bring change.
Amy Engle (she/her) is a wife, mother, and Licensed Associate Marriage and Family Therapist that specializes in treating the trauma of sex trafficking and the exploitation of minors and their families. Amy is a survivor-thriver of commercial exploitation and trafficking and uses her life experiences to help others heal.