Running Head: JUVENILE PROSTITUTION JUVENILE PROSTITUTION Juvenile Prostitution Human Development and Environments Name University Of xxxxxx Abstract Juvenile prostitution has disastrous effects to the mental, social, and physical development of a child. The paper explores the causes, effects, and prevention approaches that will eliminate juvenile prostitution. The research will use eco-developmental theory provides a premise for exploring the investigation on juvenile prostitution. Effort need to focus on broadening the prevention programs that are community based that helps to identify vulnerable children before they end up on the streets. The paper will provide stakeholders with an opportunity to understand the gravity of juvenile prostitution and develop appropriate interventions. Background In many conventions and tourist cities, child prostitution is rampant and growing at an alarming rate. According to the federal bureau of investigation, Atlanta tops among the cities with the highest number of children who engage in prostitution. There are concerted efforts of religious groups, lawmakers, and advocates for juvenile justice in the state. These efforts have not been fruitful since there is less focus on a lasting solution to the problem. Critics argue that efforts should be providing a sustainable program that will prevent vulnerable children from taking part in the vice. There has been a focus on increasing penalties for offenders without addressing the cause of the problem. Despite the stringent laws and penalties, the vice has continued to thrive. It is critical to note that efforts should be placed on developing treatment programs that help children who are sexually exploited. The efforts need to focus on broadening the prevention programs that are community-based that contribute to identify vulnerable children before they end up on the streets. Introduction Juvenile prostitution is an issue of concern in the society since it fuels human trafficking, kidnapping, serial rape, abuse of human rights, and exploitation. Most of these children are lured or abducted by traffickers who brand them or beaten into submission. Those that try to get away are either killed or tortured. Review of foster care is imperatives since many of these children are raped and abused in these placements. It is imperative to note that these children decide to run away since foster-care homes are inhabitable (Plumridge & Abel, 2001). It is imperative that the discourse should be placed on the role of child welfare systems since they have failed to identify children who are trafficked for sex. Even in their knowledge on the existence of these problems, the child welfare systems argue that the responsibility is outside their jurisdiction and purview. The argument is that the perpetrators of the vices are not caregivers or parents; thus, they shift the responsibility to law enforcement officers. Breggin (2008) says, “These children are not ...

1. Running Head: JUVENILE PROSTITUTION
JUVENILE PROSTITUTION
Juvenile Prostitution
Human Development and Environments
Name
University Of xxxxxx
Abstract
Juvenile prostitution has disastrous effects to the mental, social,
and physical development of a child. The paper explores the
causes, effects, and prevention approaches that will eliminate
juvenile prostitution. The research will use eco-developmental
theory provides a premise for exploring the investigation on
juvenile prostitution. Effort need to focus on broadening the

2. prevention programs that are community based that helps to
identify vulnerable children before they end up on the streets.
The paper will provide stakeholders with an opportunity to
understand the gravity of juvenile prostitution and develop
appropriate interventions.
Background
In many conventions and tourist cities, child prostitution is
rampant and growing at an alarming rate. According to the
federal bureau of investigation, Atlanta tops among the cities
with the highest number of children who engage in prostitution.
There are concerted efforts of religious groups, lawmakers, and
advocates for juvenile justice in the state. These efforts have
not been fruitful since there is less focus on a lasting solution to
the problem. Critics argue that efforts should be providing a
sustainable program that will prevent vulnerable children from
taking part in the vice. There has been a focus on increasing
penalties for offenders without addressing the cause of the
problem. Despite the stringent laws and penalties, the vice has
continued to thrive. It is critical to note that efforts should be
placed on developing treatment programs that help children who
are sexually exploited. The efforts need to focus on broadening
the prevention programs that are community-based that
contribute to identify vulnerable children before they end up on
the streets.
Introduction
Juvenile prostitution is an issue of concern in the society since
it fuels human trafficking, kidnapping, serial rape, abuse of
human rights, and exploitation. Most of these children are lured
or abducted by traffickers who brand them or beaten into
submission. Those that try to get away are either killed or
tortured. Review of foster care is imperatives since many of
these children are raped and abused in these placements. It is
imperative to note that these children decide to run away since
foster-care homes are inhabitable (Plumridge & Abel, 2001). It

3. is imperative that the discourse should be placed on the role of
child welfare systems since they have failed to identify children
who are trafficked for sex. Even in their knowledge on the
existence of these problems, the child welfare systems argue
that the responsibility is outside their jurisdiction and purview.
The argument is that the perpetrators of the vices are not
caregivers or parents; thus, they shift the responsibility to law
enforcement officers. Breggin (2008) says, “These children are
not routinely interviewed by sexual violence experts, as is done
in other instances of child rape. Nor do prosecutors provide
them the legal protections afforded to other sexually assaulted
minors.” The challenge comes when the law enforcement
officers fail to establish essential protocols that treat these
children as prey of child abuse.
The University of Hampshire carried out research to provide
journalists, advocates, and policymakers an understanding of
the problem as facing the juvenile. The study helped to establish
the intervention approaches used by police. The study
determined that 99% of the juvenile taking part in prostitutions
are female. Among these female juvenile prostitutes, 60% have
a history of running away from their homes (Hines & Finkelhor,
2007). Also, it was noted that 60% of these juvenile prostitutes
are whites and they live in cities. The issue raised by the study
includes whether juvenile prostitution is rendered by children
delinquency or it’s a result of poverty. The study noted that the
challenges that these children face are immense; thus, efforts to
save them should be developed. Another worrying trend is that
police tend to treat teen prostitutes who are fearful as victims.
The authors surmise that “police are doing little about the
challenge at hand, as more than half of the police agencies they
contacted provided no information about arrests. They suggest
better reporting of cases, possibly with mandatory reporting to
the FBI” (Edward, Iritani & Hallfors, 2005). There is clear
evidence that social support is lacking as the number of juvenile
prostitutes is increasing.
The eco-developmental theory provides a premise for exploring

4. the investigation on juvenile prostitution since it integrates
issues such as family systems, social ecology, and lifespan
developmental theories. The theory has been effective in
describing the antisocial behaviors, drug abuse, and sexual risk-
taking behaviors that are consistent with studies on prostitution
(Gibson-Ainyette, Templer & Veaco, 1988). The developmental
factors such as abusive parents and situational factors such as
lack of shelter and poverty are address by the theory. The
theory perceives family as a powerful and proximal influence to
the development of maladaptive and adaptive behavior patterns
among the youths. It suggests that relationship in the family can
affect the social well-being of a child; thus, resulting in deviant
and antisocial behaviors. According to Martin (2001),
“Physiological changes in response to stress appear to have a
worlwidel and adverse impact on neurological development,
altering systems related to stress response, affect regulation,
memory, social and emotional development, and cognition.” The
neglect and sexual abuse of children develop cascading effects
in their lives; thus, they need to be treated as a victim than
offenders. The theory notes that these children will suffer
strained relationships, fail in school, engage in drug abuse,
develop poor interpersonal skills, and involve in crime (Gibbs
& Augustine, 1992). These affects their ability to think; thus,
make sex trade normative and available solution to their misery.
Causes
Many girls who run away from their home or foster care find
themselves in juvenile prostitution by default. It is critical to
note that they might have made a poor decision, but they are not
grownups to underscore the difficulties in life. Many have been
brought up in a family where they get everything until they lose
care of their relatives and guardians. It is easy for society not to
see them as victims of abuse and serial rape. They are left with
no option but to fend for themselves and sometimes treated by
law enforcement as child offenders. Studies released by FBI
shows that many young people entered into the juvenile justice
system for charges of prostitutions (Gemme & Malenfant,

5. 1989). The judges find it impossible to send these children to
streets where the traffickers will be waiting or taking them to
foster homes, which they consider inhabitable and prone to
running away. The judges believe that detaining these girls is
the best option since there are no exceptionally safe options.
The perpetrators of rape are never arrested for child
endangerment, statutory rape or sexual assault to minors.
Morton (2001) says, “Perhaps it is too difficult to accept what
happens on U.S. soil, to our daughters. Regardless, we must call
this trafficking by the actual phrase: serial, systematized rape.”
The challenge is whether one can be imprisoned for abuse
melted against her.
Most of these children come from a poor background with many
having histories of truancy. More so, there are those that run
away from their homes after they are sexually assaulted. Once
these children end up on the streets, they face many challenges
hat place them in danger of engaging in prostitution. Many of
these children do not survive life on the street since some are
killed or battered. Those that survive do engage in drug and
alcohol abuse where they live an irresponsible life. Wolak,
Mitchell, and Finkelhor (2003) notes “Many of these children
find themselves in prostitution after being lured away from the
foster case by an elderly male who is willing to shower them
with pleasantries and affection, which he later withholds should
the children fail to agree to engage in prostitution.” These
frustrations have forced many to contract diseases and develop
psychiatric disorders. The cycle can repeat itself when these
children recreate these problems to their offspring; thus,
compounding the problem. Instead of punishing the first time
offenders, they should be forced to attend classes to learn on the
broader social harm that they are causing to society.
Effects
The ramification of juvenile prostitution is extensive and
damaging to the society. It can be noted that these children who
are involved in prostitution are uneducated. Thus, they are
manipulated, rejected, and discriminated by their families and

6. society. Most of them lack basic health care services that affect
their wellbeing, physical, and mental health. Those that are
restricted to move for fear of running away suffer unhygienic
conditions (Edward, Iritani & Hallfors, 2005). The spread of
diseases is high among these children since some molesters
refuse to use any protection. The psychological and physical
humiliation that these children go through is unimaginable. The
illness that these kids go through does damage their ego and
self-esteem. It should be understood that these children suffer
infection, pain, vaginal tearing, unwanted pregnancy, and after-
effects of physical torture. The children do not trust the adults;
thus, they cannot report cases of abuse, or they feel that it is
normal. These individuals take advantage of children docility
and inability to defend themselves to exploit them.
Solution
s
The lawmakers should endeavor to develop policies and
legislation that stem the problem that controlling. Programs that
train social workers, law enforcement officers, and teachers
should be supported. The focus should be on preventing placing
children at risk and identify signs of prostitution and child
abuse in society. Hines and Finkelhor (2007) says, “Perception
plays an enormous role in relaying how victims of the
commercial sexual exploitation of children ,are handled and
treated. The public has a false understanding of the problem,
mostly because of media portrayals and the stereotypes that

7. emerge.” Developing plans and spreading knowledge on the
essence of protecting children is imperative in helping those
that are at risk. It is essential that the interventions be placed on
prevention before damage occurs. Comprehensive and
responsible public education is imperative
Children exploitation and sexual abuse is a complex issue that
requires a well-developed and integrated response to stem the
vice. Ending the vice requires society to create and implement
strategies with more involvement of all stakeholders.
Coordinating and networking among service providers is
imperative in making routine and random inspections. Integral
interventions are key in addressing sexual exploitation and
abuse of young children. Raine (2002) says, “Organizations
should be free in sharing information with professionals
handling child sexual abuse and sexual exploitation so that they
can work together toward a comprehensive actionable solution
to the issue.” It is essential that evaluation and monitoring of
these efforts be done to establish the effectiveness of developed
interventions. Children from poor backgrounds should be
education and offered with income generating programs. The
programs can be critical in alleviating poverty, childhood
trauma, and abuse of alcohol. The children who have been left
hopeless and depend on abusive relationship need to be
empowered appropriately. The approach should be personal
centered and non-judgmental. It is critical to enable these

8. individuals to have a sense of pride and control over their lives
and experiences. As stated, these interventions should not be
imposed on the victims.
Literature Review
In the efforts to understand the reasons why many young people
are involved in prostitution, scholars explored the history of
prostitutes, family background, work-related and educational
experiences, as well as, the psychological factors (Wolak,
Mitchell, & Finkelhor, 2003). A noticeable research topic
explored by scholars include the relationship between family
dysfunctional and their involvement in prostitution. The
researcher explored issues such as sexual, emotional, substance,
and physical abuse. Many concluded that these juvenile
prostitutes had a history of sexual abuse. Plumridge (2001)
found out that “found that many prostitutes were victims of
intra-familial childhood physical and sexual abuse. Further,
many young males and females ran away from abusive
environments, and once on the streets they were exposed to a
variety of conditions that influenced their decision to
prostitute.” Many of these children found themselves in
prostitution out of their control
Psychological issues
Researchers focused on the effects of psychological
development on the life of a child and influence on prostitution
(Plumridge & Abel, 2001). The disruptions in the psychological

9. and psychosexual development affect growth and decision-
making abilities of children. It results in a non-ego and
destructive behaviors that influence their choice into joining
prostitution. The gap between the moral judgment and reasoning
affects children’s ability to make informed choices; thus, are
influenced to join prostitution. Saphira (2001) says, “Young
prostitutes who were sexually abused at tender ages experienced
a severe loss of self-esteem, and they portrayed poor physical
and mental condition. The process of becoming involved in
prostitution by exploring the impact of the social structure.”
The author noted that social structures such as gender
stereotypes, cultural factors, employment structures, and
schools to be contributing factors. The responses of victims and
sexual abuse train and prepare these children into prostitution.
Homelessness
The reasons that are associated with children running away from
their homes and foster-care centers includes sexual and physical
abuse, sexual orientation, and psychological issues (Hines &
Finkelhor, 2007). These factors do not clearly describe
motivation into prostitution. However, it can be noted that when
children are away from responsible guardians, they become
vulnerable to sex predators. It is imperative to explore the
variables that propel young girls to engage in prostitution. As
noted, the children who run away from their homes owing to
physical and sexual abuse, they develop a desire to gain easy

10. money. They were brought up in an environment where they
received their basic need from their guardians and parents. In
the streets, there are no one to care for them; thus, they are
tempted to enter into prostitution to get money. Rutter (2006)
found out that “many youths lacked the education and
employment skills necessary to subsist, thereby contributing to
their decision to prostitute. Situational difficulties associated
with the street makes prostitution an alternative option for some
youth such as prostitution for money, shelter, and drugs.” Those
that moved from their homes in search of freedom and
independence, they discover life being difficult on the streets.
Essentially, the factors that force a child to be homeless offers
them an impetus to engage in prostitution for money.
Studies have shown that little efforts are done by law
enforcement authorities who ignore the plight of homeless
persons. There are underfunded and dysfunctional serve
agencies that struggle to provide critical services to children in
the streets. In this era of shrinking safety nets and growing
poverty, prostitution has thrived and continue to attract many
youths. Research conducted by Wolak, Mitchell, and Finkelhor
(2003) shows three salient themes that precipitate the youths to
engage in delinquency and crime. They concluded that
“Disruptive family conditions encourage some youth to run
away from home. 2) Once on the streets, conditions associated
with homelessness propels involvement in crime is related to

11. the theft of food, issues of youth unemployment and lack of
shelter are related to participation in prostitution. 3) The street
culture gives rise criminal networks - street youth become
involved in tutelage relationships which increase their
participation in crime and delinquency.” In essence, prostitution
has transformed the social setting that makes it easier for young
people to be lured into the practice. Situational poverty and
gender-based violence have created a demand for sexual
services in many cities (Gibson-Ainyette, Templer & Veaco,
1988). It has to be noted that prostitution is not restricted to
developing countries alone, but to developed countries too.
The study by Worth (2000) brings into focus the challenges that
young prostitutes go through and the causes that lead to the
vice. It is critical to note that youth involvement in prostitution
is destroying the social fabric of society. Children are becoming
delinquent and abused in efforts to source for income through
prostitution. Regardless of age, many prostitutes have been
subjected to unjust law enforcement and discriminatory
legislation (Gibbs & Augustine, 1992). The perpetrators of the
vice have received immunity, or the society does not care about
these young prostitutes. Researchers argue that there is nothing
called juvenile prostitution, but term the vice children sexual
assault. These children have been forced by physical and sexual
abuse at their homes, which force them to venture into the street
that is equally brutal. Worth (2000) adds, “On a psychological

12. level, the child can also show several symptoms, amounting to
depression, personality or sexual orientation mixups, problems
with behavior, trouble sleeping, and loss of self-confidence.” It
is critical that concerned individuals take measures to censure
action of men who procure sexual services from young girls.
Recommendation for future study
There have been knowledge gaps in literature to provide future
researchers ideas to explore the issue. Research that explores
law enforcement practices and legislative amendments should
be studied extensively to develop policies that censure men who
procure sexual services from youths. In other words, studying
efforts of law enforcement on spread and involvement of youth
in prostitution is imperative. Moreover, research needs to be
carried to establish the factors that are fuelling men to demand
for sexual services among the youths. The study can be critical
in establishing a working intervention that will lessen juvenile
prostitution (Gemme & Malenfant, 1989). The future study
should confront policies in place that is designed to deter men
from seeking sexual services from juveniles. There should be a
focus on factors that precede involvement of juveniles into the
sex trade. These efforts are imperative in developing policies
that will deter men from seeking sexual services and
involvement of youth in the vice. Finally, the research needs to
explore opinions of prostitutes on the role of law enforcement
in addressing juvenile prostitution. There is a need for an all-

13. inclusive and integrated approach that studies broader political
and social context that causes increased involvement of youths
in prostitution (Edward, Iritani & Hallfors, 2005). The approach
is critical since it will lead to the development of viable
solutions that will deter prostitution.
Conclusion
Some factors contribute to child prostitution include human
trafficking, poverty, dysfunctional family, poor education, and
poor parenting. It is disheartening to note that some
governments use child prostitution as a source of tourist
attraction. Deception and human trafficking are factors that
cause children prostitution thrive. Dysfunctional families play a
role in forcing children to prostitution. Lack of adequate
parental care makes them prone to sexual predators. Concerted
efforts by all stakeholders are imperative in making sure that
the vice is eliminated. Therese efforts are showing results since
juvenile prostitutes are not treated as criminals, but victims. It
is essential that the society understands that these children need
protection. They should not be quick to judge and castigate
them for something that is never their fault.

14. References
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15. Gibson-Ainyette, I., Templer, R. & Veaco, B. (1988)
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