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Gnaim-Mwassi N, Avieli H, Band-Winterstein T. Prostitution in the shadow of life-long sexual abuse: Arab women's retrospective experiences. J Elder Abuse Negl 2024; 36:117-147. [PMID: 38566491 DOI: 10.1080/08946566.2024.2331503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
The present study uses the life-course and intersectionality perspectives to explore the meaning that aging Arab women attribute to their lived experiences of life-long sexual abuse in the shadow of engaging in prostitution. Interpretive phenomenological analysis was used to analyze the narratives of 10 older Arab women in Israel who were engaged in prostitution. Four themes emerged: experiencing childhood in the shadow of sexual abuse, becoming a prostitute, being entrapped in prostitution, and settling accounts with the native culture. Women aging in prostitution experience a harsh reality of abuse and loss. The present study points to multiple channels of abuse throughout the life course, from childhood until old age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nora Gnaim-Mwassi
- Minerva Center on Intersectionality in Aging, Department of Gerontology, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Hila Avieli
- Department of Criminology, Ariel University, Ariel, Israel
| | - Tova Band-Winterstein
- Minerva Center on Intersectionality in Aging, Department of Gerontology, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
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Murnan AW, Tscholl JJ, Ganta R, Duah HO, Qasem I, Sezgin E. Identification of Child Survivors of Sex Trafficking From Electronic Health Records: An Artificial Intelligence Guided Approach. CHILD MALTREATMENT 2023:10775595231194599. [PMID: 37545138 PMCID: PMC11000265 DOI: 10.1177/10775595231194599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/08/2023]
Abstract
Survivors of child sex trafficking (SCST) experience high rates of adverse health outcomes. Amidst the duration of their victimization, survivors regularly seek healthcare yet fail to be identified. This study sought to utilize artificial intelligence (AI) to identify SCST and describe the elements of their healthcare presentation. An AI-supported keyword search was conducted to identify SCST within the electronic medical records (EMR) of ∼1.5 million patients at a large midwestern pediatric hospital. Descriptive analyses were used to evaluate associated diagnoses and clinical presentation. A sex trafficking-related keyword was identified in .18% of patient charts. Among this cohort, the most common associated diagnostic codes were for Confirmed Sexual/Physical Assault; Trauma and Stress-Related Disorders; Depressive Disorders; Anxiety Disorders; and Suicidal Ideation. Our findings are consistent with the myriad of known adverse physical and psychological outcomes among SCST and illuminate the future potential of AI technology to improve screening and research efforts surrounding all aspects of this vulnerable population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron W Murnan
- College of Nursing, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Jennifer J Tscholl
- Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA
- Division of Child and Family Advocacy, Center for Family Safety and Healing, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Rajesh Ganta
- Information Technology Research and Innovation, Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Henry O Duah
- College of Nursing, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Islam Qasem
- College of Nursing, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Emre Sezgin
- Information Technology Research and Innovation, Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
- Center for Biobehavioral Health, The Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
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Elsdon R, O'Shaughnessy R, Hodge SM, Murray CD. Becoming a mother in the context of sex work: Women's experiences of bonding with their children. Health Care Women Int 2021; 43:663-685. [PMID: 34348075 DOI: 10.1080/07399332.2021.1949598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Many females engaged in sex work are mothers, often experiencing poverty, violence, marginalization, and psychological distress, factors also found to affect parental bonds. However, little is known about how this context impacts the bonding process. Given the ubiquity of sex work across geographical territories, understanding the relationship it has with mother-child bonding is an important international consideration in providing healthcare for sex working mothers and their children. Therefore, in this study we sought to explore women's experiences of bonding with their children in the context of sex work. We interviewed six women in the UK who were sex working during the first two years of their child's life about their bonding experiences and analyzed transcripts using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. We identified four themes were identified: (1) the complex process of bonding; (2) the role of powerlessness on bonding; (3) the powerful impact of receiving help, and (4) new perspectives of the body and sex work following motherhood. Findings contribute to the research literature on bonding by emphasizing the value of supportive care and the importance of social context, indicating specific factors to inform psychological support among sex working women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruth Elsdon
- Faculty of Health & Medicine, Lancaster University, Bailrigg, UK
| | - Ruth O'Shaughnessy
- Cheshire and Mersey Specialist Perinatal Service, North West Boroughs Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, Warrington, UK
| | - Suzanne M Hodge
- Faculty of Health & Medicine, Lancaster University, Bailrigg, UK
| | - Craig D Murray
- Faculty of Health & Medicine, Lancaster University, Bailrigg, UK
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Dalla RL. “You can't Hustle All Your Life”: An Exploratory Investigation of the Exit Process Among Street-Level Prostituted Women. PSYCHOLOGY OF WOMEN QUARTERLY 2016. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-6402.2006.00296.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Orchard T, Farr S, Macphail S, Wender C, Wilson C. Expanding the scope of inquiry: exploring accounts of childhood and family life among sex workers in London, Ontario. THE CANADIAN JOURNAL OF HUMAN SEXUALITY 2014. [DOI: 10.3138/cjhs.2323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
This article presents findings from a qualitative research project that sought to explore the organization of sex work and women's experiences in the trade in a medium-size Canadian city. Drawing upon 14 semi-structured life-history interviews with women between 24 and 60 years of age who have taken part in sex work, primarily street-based, this discussion examines the women's accounts of childhood and early family experiences. Findings related to childhood highlight the role of the women's mothers, fathers, and a range of non-normative conditions in shaping their social experience of childhood. Our participants' accounts of family dynamics feature discussions of loving familial relations, inter-generational involvement in the sex trade, and feelings of exclusion. These findings support existing studies on childhood and family experiences among street-based sex workers and contribute new data to this relatively under-developed area of study within the sex work literature. One of the most unique insights is that although the women's accounts reveal difficult experiences across the spheres of socialization related to childhood and family, they did not identify them as the root cause of their sex trade participation. We discuss the practical significance of this finding for health care and social service professionals (i.e., case worker, support staff, community clinic workers), who work with women in the sex trade but may be uncertain how to broach and/or navigate the sensitive issues of childhood and family in their work with these marginalized groups of women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Treena Orchard
- School of Health Studies, University of Western Ontario, London, ON
| | - Sara Farr
- Community Support and Mental Health Worker- WOTCH, London, ON
| | - Susan Macphail
- WOTCH Community Mental Health Services and My Sister's Place, London, ON
| | - Cass Wender
- WOTCH Community Mental Health Services and My Sister's Place, London, ON
| | - Christine Wilson
- WOTCH Community Mental Health Services and My Sister's Place, London, ON
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Hickle KE, Roe-Sepowitz DE. Putting the Pieces Back Together: A Group Intervention for Sexually Exploited Adolescent Girls. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014. [DOI: 10.1080/01609513.2013.823838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Baker LM, Dalla RL, Williamson C. Exiting Prostitution: An Integrated Model. Violence Against Women 2010; 16:579-600. [DOI: 10.1177/1077801210367643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Exiting street-level prostitution is a complex, convoluted process. Few studies have described this process within any formal conceptual framework. This article reviews two general models and two prostitution-specific models and their applicability to the exiting process. Barriers encountered as women attempt to leave the streets are identified. Based on the four models, the barriers, the prostitution literature, and the authors’ experience with prostituted women, a new integrated six-stage model that is comprehensive in scope and sensitive to women’s attempts to exit prostitution is offered as a foundation for continued research on the process of women leaving the streets.
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McClelland GT, Newell R. A qualitative study of the experiences of mothers involved in street-based prostitution and problematic substance use. J Res Nurs 2008. [DOI: 10.1177/1744987108095409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract This study aimed to enable a cohort of women to describe their personal experiences of motherhood in the context of problematic substance use and street-based prostitution. The study also aimed to describe the impact upon women of separation from their children. Findings that emerged from focus group data were organised into four over-arching themes: children and motherhood, personal accounts of drug use and street-based prostitution, risks to women and their children and supportive/unsupportive factors in the women’s lives. Each theme consisted of many categories that illustrated the impact of dependent drug use and involvement in prostitution on the lives of the women and their children. This article describes the theme of children and motherhood. Involvement in street-based prostitution is extremely risky, frequently characterised by calculated risk taking, with consequences for both the woman and her children. Parental responsibilities and lifestyle contribute to stress, which is typically compounded by problematic substance use. Risks are increased for both the woman and her children when timely and appropriate support is unavailable. Emphasis should be placed upon the proactive identification and implementation of positive supportive strategies. Ethical approval was obtained via the Local Research Ethics Committee to undertake this research study.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Robert Newell
- Division of Nursing, School of Health, University of Bradford, Bradford, West Yorkshire, UK
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