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Abstract
This study was undertaken to inform the implementation of a specialized prostitution diversion program to help women quit prostitution and avoid criminal prosecution. Data on 17 women's experience of trauma and substance abuse and their views on how these experiences affected their involvement in prostitution were gathered in focus groups and face-to-face interviews (including measures of substance abuse, trauma, and PTSD) conducted at a drop-in program in Baltimore, Maryland. The results indicate that the women experienced high levels of trauma and substance abuse interwoven with prostitution. Trauma-informed services and integrated substance abuse and trauma-specific treatment are needed.
Notes
1Here we use the term women engaged in prostitution as this is the description of the criminal offense and because our respondents do not identify as sex workers, which both encompasses a broader range of activities and implies a larger sense of autonomy and choice to engage in sex work. We also use the term engaging in prostitution, rather than prostitutes, as our respondents do not see their prostitution behaviors as constituative of their identity (see Shdaimah & Wiechelt, Citationin press).
Note. n = 9; NR = no response.