A multi-method study identifying the barriers and solutions to meeting the physical and psychological health needs of young people involved in or vulnerable to sexual exploitation

Abstract

Awareness of sexual exploitation has increased over the past decade. However, physical and psychological health needs, risks, health seeking behaviour and use of health services by sexually exploited young people have been inadequately explored. Methodology/method Phase 1: descriptive, phenomenological, approach to encourage young people involved in or vulnerable to sexual exploitation to describe their personal accounts of health, risks, health seeking and support. Phase 2: quantitative methodology consisting of a questionnaire survey with professionals supporting young people involved in or vulnerable to sexual exploitation. Data analysis Phase 1: phenomenological approach to data analysis (Giorgi, 1985). Phase 2: questionnaire data were analysed using software S.P.S.S. and thematic content analysis (Burnard, 2006). Results/findings Intentional self harm and substance misuse were concordant themes from phase 1 and 2. Novel themes that emerged from this study included a taxonomy of risk behaviours related to health, and the use of youth offending teams for health support Conclusion A significant range of physical and psychological health problems were reported alongside risks to health and barriers to health support for sexually exploited young people. Psycho-social vulnerability factors undermine health and impact on health seeking behaviour.