@article{ref1,
title="Share our stories: an exploration of the healthcare experiences of child sex trafficking survivors",
journal="Child abuse and neglect",
year="2021",
author="Wallace, Carmelle and Mollen, Cynthia and Lavina, Ilana",
volume="112",
number="",
pages="e104896-e104896",
abstract="BACKGROUND: The trafficking of children and adolescents is widespread, and pediatric providers are on the front line. Current research demonstrates that trafficked  children do access health care. However, few studies describe these interactions  from their perspectives. In order to elucidate the healthcare experiences of sex  trafficked children, we designed a qualitative study utilizing semi-structured  interviews to explore their health care interactions. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING:  Homeless youth currently aged 18-21 who were sex trafficked before age 18. <br><br>METHODS:  Semi-structured interviews were conducted with seventeen youth who met the study  criteria. Interview transcripts were coded and analyzed using constant comparative  methods. Themes were inductively extracted by consensus with the study team, and  thematic saturation was determined when no new themes emerged. <br><br>RESULTS: Themes  included: victims endured serious injuries and illnesses without being brought to  medical attention, traffickers limited victims' access to care, logistical barriers  limited access, traffickers directed victims to lie to providers, and medical  providers rarely separated victims to interview them separately resulting in missed  opportunities. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: These themes illustrate the experiences of sex  trafficked youth experiencing homelessness and provide pediatric practitioners the  opportunity to become more informed and equipped to recognize them. They also  highlight serious health consequences of not being identified and egregious examples  of providers exhibiting denial or inappropriate responses to their disclosure.  Keywords: Human trafficking; <p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0145-2134",
doi="10.1016/j.chiabu.2020.104896",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2020.104896"
}