Citation

Moore JL, Houck C, Barron CE, Goldberg AP. J. Pediatr. Adolesc. Gynecol. 2019; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Affiliation

The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Department of Pediatrics, Providence, Rhode Island; Hasbro Children's Hospital, Providence, Rhode Island.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, North American Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology, Publisher Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.jpag.2019.06.002

PMID

31195098

Abstract

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To compare characteristics of patients with confirmatory evidence (e.g. disclosure, found by law enforcement) of domestic minor sex trafficking (DMST) involvement to those without confirmatory evidence but who were suspected of involvement.

DESIGN: A retrospective chart review was conducted of all patients referred for DMST involvement. Confirmed DMST patients were compared to suspected patients in regard to demographic, psychosocial, medical and psychiatric variables. SETTING: A child protection program at a children's hospital where patients are evaluated by child abuse pediatricians in outpatient, emergency department, and inpatient settings. PARTICIPANTS: Patients 11-17 years old referred for concern of DMST involvement between; 8/1/2013 and 7/01/2016 were included. Patients self-disclosed, have been reported with; evidence, and/or have histories that place them at high risk for DMST involvement. INTERVENTIONS AND MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: We collected demographic, psychosocial, medical; and psychiatric variables from the medical records of patients of patients referred for evaluation.

RESULTS: A total of 67 patients were included. No statistically significant differences were identified between the confirmed and suspected groups.

CONCLUSIONS: Our preliminary data found that confirmed and suspected patients presented with similar and high rates of concerning medical and psychosocial issues; therefore medical; providers should evaluate and treat all patients referred for DMST. Similar treatment includes; referrals for psychological/substance abuse interventions, safety planning and collaboration with; a multidisciplinary team.

Copyright © 2019. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Language: en

Keywords

domestic minor sex trafficking (DMST); sexual abuse; suspected; victim