https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4524-0473
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ABSTRACT
Using the 2019 National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System, the prevalence and predictors of substantiated reports of child sex trafficking (CST) (n = 1,286) and other maltreatment (n = 705,778) (e.g., physical abuse, sexual abuse, but not sex trafficking) were explored. Descriptive statistics were used to present the profile of children who were victims of CST, and negative binomial regression modeling explored the individual/ontological-, microsystem-, and exosystem-level risk factors for CST compared to other forms of maltreatment. Findings showed that multiracial identity, substance use, disability status; caregiver type—most notably living in a group home—and residing in more rural areas; and professionals as the reporting source were associated with CST versus other maltreatment. Implications for research, policy, and practice for CST are discussed.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
Notes
1. Emotional disturbance is a formal diagnosis based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) (NCANDS Codebook, 2019).
2. Learning disabilities include, but are not limited to, perceptual disability, brain injury, minimal brain dysfunction, dyslexia, and developmental aphasia (NCANDS Codebook, 2019).
3. Behavior problems refer to behavior in the school or community that adversely impacts the child’s overall development such as involvement in the juvenile justice system and/or running away (NCANDS Codebook, 2019).
4. The large confidence intervals around the odds ratios here are likely due to the fact that residing in either of these settings are highly correlated with the outcome variable—allegation of sex trafficking.