A Systematic Review of Multidisciplinary Teams Addressing Child Sexual Exploitation

• In Event: Addressing Intimate Partner and Gender-Based Violence

Abstract

As reports of commercial sexual exploitation of children rise across the US, agencies rely on multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) to develop coordinated care plans. A systematic review is being conducted to describe the current landscape of knowledge on MDTs that respond to child victimization, specifically MDTs that address child sexual abuse and exploitation. Exploring English language literature on MDTs published between the years of 1980 and 2024 using online library databases (e.g., Web of Science, EBSCOhost, ProQuest, SAGE Journals) the systematic review will synthesize information about structures and features of MDTs used to serve victims of child abuse and exploitation as well as best practices and the populations served. The review will provide an overview of the landscape of knowledge about how MDTs serving child abuse and exploitation victims are constituted, comprised, and used as well as limited information about the effectiveness of MDTs. This review will guide providers, policymakers, and other stakeholders about existing best practices for MDTs such as common structures and how to serve victims of child abuse and exploitation. Additionally, the review will identify knowledge gaps on MDTs responding to child abuse and sexual exploitation to inform future research.

Authors

• Katherine P. Hazen, Northeastern University

• Matthew Kafafian, University of Nebraska Omaha

• Sarah Lockwood, University of South Florida

• Anna Vasaturo, Northeastern University

• Michaela Benson-Goldsmith, University of Nebraska Omaha

• Caralin Branscum, University of South Florida

• Amy Farrell, Northeastern University

• Tara Richards, The University of Nebraska at Omaha

• Teresa C. Kulig, University of Nebraska Omaha

• Joan Reid, University of South Florida

• Jamie Abernathy, University of Nebraska Omaha

• Isabella De Jesus, Northeastern University