Sex trafficked juveniles: Recommendations for treatment of victims

Abstract

This seminar research paper investigated the need for trauma-informed treatment protocols among law enforcement, victim advocates, and healthcare professionals to better ensure juvenile sex trafficking victims are not revictimized and help guarantee proper treatment for sustained recovery. During the research process of this paper, it was discovered that the lack of treatment programs currently operating and deemed effective was compelling and cause for concern. However, the various treatment programs examined in this paper significantly highlighted tremendous promise in fulfilling the necessary assistance for sex-trafficked juveniles and their trajectories of healing and recovery. Enhanced procedures and efforts must be encouraged to develop and forge innovative and bolstered programs and endeavors across the country and in all communities affected by juvenile sex trafficking crimes. Moreover, further criminological, psychological, and medical research must be cultivated for a better understanding of the crime of sex trafficking, the offenders, the impacts of tremendous trauma endured, and beneficial interventions and treatment choices for the victims and survivors of juvenile sex trafficking.