Youth Experiences Survey: A Four-year Study on the Combined Experiences of Homelessness and Sex Trafficking
Dominique Roe-Sepowitz, MSW, PhD; Kimberly Hogan, MA, MSW & Melissa Brockie, MSW | September 21 | 9:00-10:00 AM | Room 3010A
Topic: Research | Knowledge Level: Beginner, Intermediate
The Youth Experiences Survey (YES) has been given each year for the past four years to a complex and difficult population to assess. Homeless runaway young adults (ages 18 to 25) are difficult to find and can be difficult to engage, and there is limited knowledge about their needs and experiences. This study utilized a cross-sectional research design and included a convenience sample of 187 homeless young adults aged 18 to 25 years old that completed a self-administered survey. Of the overall sample of 187 homeless young adult respondents, 58 (31%) reported experiencing sex trafficking exploitation, and 60 (32.1%) reported experiencing labor trafficking exploitation. At least one form of human trafficking (either sex or labor) was reported by 80 (42.8%) respondents and 38 (20.3%) respondents reported experiencing both sex and labor trafficking exploitation. Information from the YES study provides the Arizona community with rich data about the scope and complexity of their needs and challenges including the sex trafficking experiences of these young people.
Presentation Objectives:
· Describe homeless youth experiences, particularly engagement in the commercial sex market.
· Convey the scope and complexity of sex trafficking in the State of Arizona.