“What Does It Matter How We Define It?”: Exploring Definitions of DMST Among Service Providers and Victims/Survivors

Rigor and Respect: Recruitment Strategies for Engaging Vulnerable Populations in Research

Engaging vulnerable populations in research is a critical focus for researchers seeking to find ways to improve safety and well-being for broader populations. Vulnerabilities often co-occur, meaning that individuals may experience vulnerabilities in multiple facets of their life (e.g., victim of abuse and mental health diagnoses). Unfortunately, many vulnerable populations remain underinvestigated due to difficulty reaching, engaging, and safely including such populations in research. While most researchers assert the importance of including vulnerable populations in research, few actively and successfully recruit them. Many vulnerable populations are understandably weary of research participation. Victims and survivors of domestic minor sex trafficking (DMST) are one such vulnerable population, in that identification may incur substantial risk for DMST victim's physical safety and well-being. In addition, DMST victims and survivors often experience co-occurring vulnerabilities including substance use, histories of abuse, delinquency, and poor mental health. Accordingly, they are notoriously difficult to recruit for research participation. The current paper uses a detailed case example to describe the recruitment and retention strategies used by one researcher to promote DMST survivor research participation. A candid account of challenges, successes, and lessons learned is offered in service of building methodological techniques for recruitment that both honor participant experiences while championing methodological rigor. Findings detail the importance of trust and a trauma-informed approach to qualitative data collection and analysis. Authors include specific strategies to promote comfort and candor amid traumatic response in ways that may empower research participants. A detailed discussion of how such strategies may be adapted for vulnerable populations beyond DMST victims and survivors is provided.

"It's All about Breaking down Those Barriers…": Exploring Survivors' Perspectives on Services and Treatment Needs following Commercial Sexual Exploitation during Childhood

Purpose: In recent years, there has been an increase in funds and services available to address the needs of commercially sexually exploited children (CSEC). While previous studies have explored the mental, behavioral, and physical needs of CSEC victims and survivors, few studies have focused on the service needs CSEC victims and survivors themselves deem most important. The current study seeks to bridge this gap by garnering American CSEC victims' and survivors' perspectives regarding CSEC service strengths, weaknesses, and gaps.Method: Semi-structured, in-depth interviews were conducted with 13 adult survivors of CSEC to examine their perceptions of current CSEC services in the United States. All interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and imported into a qualitative data analysis program. Using an inductive approach, two major themes emerged: short-term needs and long-term needs.Results: Short-term needs included victim identification, housing, and emergency medical care. Long-term needs included life-skills, community building, legal assistance, and medical care. The results point to the complex needs of CSEC victims/survivors.Discussion: While CSEC services continue to develop, there remain many gaps in care in the services available. Study findings provide valuable insight to practitioners and researchers alike and identify the most critical needs of CSEC victims and survivors. Implications for practice and research are discussed.