A Portrait of Youth Who Exchange Sex for Money in the United States

• In Event: Youth Who Exchange Sex for Money in the United States

Abstract

This paper presents the results of a national study of youth who exchange sex for money where, using respondent-driven sampling to recruit samples of this hard-to-reach population in six U.S. cities, researchers interviewed 1,000 young people ages 13-24 in Atlantic City, NJ; Bay Area, CA; Miami, FL; Las Vegas, NV; Chicago, IL; and Dallas, TX. Results reveal that over a third first exchanged sex for money before they were 15 years old, that there is a high prevalence of boys and transgender youth in this population, and that many are not affiliated with a pimp. The presentation will further highlight similarities and differences across all genders regarding their entry into the market, their interaction with customers and market facilitators, their health and social service needs, and their contacts with law enforcement and the criminal justice system.

Author

• Rachel Swaner, Center for Court Innovation