NCJ Number
175133
Journal
Journal of Offender Rehabilitation Volume: 27 Issue: 3/4 Dated: 1998 Pages: 93-105
Date Published
1998
Length
13 pages
Annotation
This study explores the incidence and nature of juvenile prostitution in Austin, Tex.
Abstract
A self-administered questionnaire containing 51 items was developed by a committee of representatives of the four agencies involved in the study. Seventy-three variables were considered for this report, including demographic data, sexual history, education, criminal and runaway status, gang involvement, family functioning, drug use, and prostitution experience. The survey was administered to 242 at-risk youths. For the purposes of this study, a youth was considered at risk if he/she participated in the services of one of the three youth service agencies involved in the study. Youths involved in prostitution were compared with other at-risk youths not involved in prostitution on a number of variables that correlate with prostitution in previous research. The 21 youth who reported prostitution involvement were significantly more likely than their non-prostitute counterparts to have been victims of sexual or physical abuse, to live away from their families, to attend school irregularly or not at all, and to have a criminal history, particularly drug-related offenses and prostitution. Implications for service delivery to at-risk youths are discussed. 2 tables and 15 references