Citation

Valandra. Affilia 2007; 22(2): 195-208.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2007, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/0886109907299052

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Little research has examined the specific healing needs of prostituted African American women. In this qualitative research study, eight African American women who were receiving culturally specific services at an Afrocentric agency participated in a focus group and in-depth semistructured interviews.. The analysis revealed seven categories of experience: (1) a legacy of violence and underreporting, (2) family and self-preservation, (3) kinship support and spirituality, (4) hitting rock bottom, (5) barriers to recovery, (6) helpful and harmful services, and (7) a prism of oppression. Implications for social workers, policy makers, advocates, and further research are discussed.