TY - JOUR PY - 2012// TI - Commercial sexual exploitation of children and the school nurse JO - Journal of school nursing A1 - Grace, Lisa Goldblatt A1 - Starck, Maureen A1 - Potenza, Jane A1 - Kenney, Patricia A. A1 - Sheetz, Anne H. SP - 410 EP - 417 VL - 28 IS - 6 N2 - As trusted health professionals in the school setting, school nurses are well positioned to identify students who may be victims of commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC). However, until recently this issue has been clouded by lack of awareness, stigma, and/or denial. Since nationally the average age of entry for girls into the commercial sex industry (specifically prostitution) is 12-15 years old, many of these young people continue to attend school although attendance may be sporadic. Additional continuing education is needed to increase school nurses' awareness that these young victims might be in their practices, whether they are located in urban, rural, or suburban communities. As primary sources of health care for children throughout the United States, school nurses have a pivotal role in helping an exploited girl move beyond invisibility to a path of safety and support-and a new life.

Language: en

LA - en SN - 1059-8405 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1059840512448402 ID - ref1 ER -