CHILDREN AT RISK Releases Research on Sex Trafficking

HOUSTON, May 5, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The United States Congress, through the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 and its subsequent reauthorizations, has given law enforcement and prosecutors a formidable sword to combat traffickers worldwide, and for this they are to be commended. But child advocates know that there is a desperate need for a shield to guard children from being exploited, and to protect those who have been rescued.  In order to forge this shield, we must understand the forces underlying this epidemic.

Just released, Human Trafficking and Domestic Violence: Etiology, Intervention, and Overlap with Child Maltreatment explores the individual and cultural factors, including family and dating violence – which provide the fertile ground for this crime to flourish, evaluates the role that providers can play in identifying victims, and examines ways in which trafficking can be prevented from the outset. This issue of the Journal of Applied Research on Children (JARC) was sponsored by The Allstate Foundation, and edited by CHILDREN AT RISK.

The new issue includes a study by Rachel Lloyd, founder and CEO of Girls Educational and Mentoring Services (GEMS), which explores the vulnerability factors and pathways leading to underage entry to sex work in two Mexican – U.S. border cities. Stories from 4 individuals that participated in the study include physical or sexual abuse within intimate relations.

"The commonalities between the four cases – battered self-esteem, a coerced sexual experience in adolescence, no example and understanding of a healthy romantic partner, and dependence on the romantic partner can play a role in the initiation of youth into sex work," says Lloyd.

If these causes can be recognized and countered, more victims will be rescued and many more potential victims will never be harmed.

About The Allstate Foundation
Established in 1952, The Allstate Foundation is an independent, charitable organization made possible by subsidiaries of The Allstate Corporation. Through partnerships with nonprofit organizations across the country, The Allstate Foundation brings the relationships, reputation and resources of Allstate to support innovative and lasting solutions that enhance people's well-being and prosperity. With a focus on building financial independence for domestic violence survivors, empowering youth and celebrating the charitable community involvement of Allstate agency owners and employees, The Allstate Foundation works to bring out the good in people's lives. For more information, visit www.AllstateFoundation.org.

About CHILDREN AT RISK
CHILDREN AT RISK is a non-profit that helps to improve the quality of life for Texas' children through research and advocacy. CHILDREN AT RISK educates the community and public officials based on its groundbreaking research which tracks children's health, safety, education, and economic conditions. Visit us: www.childrenatrisk.org, FaceBook and Twitter.

Contact: Rashena Flagg 713.301.4577 [email protected]

SOURCE CHILDREN AT RISK

Related Links

http://childrenatrisk.org