Relationship Violence and Sexual Exploitation

Invisibility: A Study of Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children in Jefferson County, Alabama (PDF, 2035 KB), Freedom to Thrive and Youth & Family Services Network, 2010. What it's about: The report brings to light the pervasive problem of sex trafficking in Alabama's Jefferson County and addresses the role social service agencies play in working with sexually trafficked...
Beliefs and Attributions of Partner Violence Perpetrators: The Physical and Psychological Violence of Adolescent Males,Violence and Victims, Vol. 26, No. 2, April 2011. What it’s about:  The authors asked 132 college-age men about their beliefs about women, their partners and their relationships. Of those surveyed, more than 80 percent had committed psychological or physical violence...
A disturbing number of teenagers experience violence in their relationships without even realizing it, which has led a number of Maryland youth to form Teens Against Assault, Violence, and Abuse to encourage non-violence among their peers. They hope to bring a greater awareness of youth violence and victimization, particularly teen dating violence, to their community.  
Nearly 1 in 5 women report experiencing sexual assault while in college. Many of these assaults occur when the offender, often an acquaintance, has targeted and isolated a young woman in vulnerable circumstances.
While concrete numbers are hard to come by, experts agree that commercial sexual exploitation of children and adults is on the rise. And study after study supports two things: 1) that a high percentage of homeless youth have been sexually abused prior to becoming homeless and 2) once on their own, they become vulnerable to further sexual assault and exploitation.
“The High-Risk Environment of Homeless Young Adults:  Consequences for Physical and Sexual Victimization,” Violence and Victims, Vol. 25, No. 1, 2010. What it’s about: In 2004-2005, the authors interviewed 127 homeless young adults between the ages of 19 and 26 to determine what characteristics or behaviors might lead them to be either physically or sexually victimized.
Just like their straight peers, LGBT teens can be abused by their partners. In fact, the rate of violence in same-gender relationships is roughly the same as in heterosexual relationships. But abuse is often experienced differently by LGBT teens. An Abuse, Rape and Domestic Violence Aid and Resource Collection (AARDVARC) has compiled a list of resources for professionals exploring abuse...
A new informational video created by the Campaign to Rescue & Restore Victims of Human Trafficking asks people everywhere to “Look Beneath the Surface” for signs of human trafficking and take action if they suspect someone is a victim. The awareness campaign is also specifically geared toward front-line workers, training them how to identify and assist victims. For more...
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