Prostitution and the Adolescent Female (From Working With Young Women in the Juvenile Justice System, P 7-11, 1987 -- See NCJ-109539)

• NCJ Number: 109541
• Author(s): L Eljumally
• Date Published: 1987
• Length: 5 pages
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/; NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: For microfiche, see NCJ-109539.

Annotation

This paper profiles the psychological makeup, experiences, and victimization of juvenile prostitutes, identifies their special needs and how placements can meet these needs, and lists referrals for services and placements.

Abstract

Juvenile prostitutes typically have low self-esteem and have been subjected to familial sexual abuse. Because juvenile prostitutes have been abused and neglected from childhood, they are unable to establish positive familial bonds, which hinders their socialization and fosters isolation and mistrust. Most juvenile prostitutes are runaways who have no true friends and few alternatives for earning a legitimate income. Prostitution is not only one of the few job options for such girls, but many psychologists believe their history of sexual abuse influences their attraction to prostitution, since they think of themselves as sexual objects. The optimal intervention for such girls is long-term psychosexual counseling. Whether or not a juvenile prostitute suffered sexual abuse as a child, she still needs sexual counseling due to her involvement in prostitution. Appendixes detail treatment methods and list placements and other resources for young women.