Engagement and persistence in prostitution: understanding the influence of sexual victimization, mental health, and drug use

Abstract

Using a sample of incarcerated drug involved women, this research investigates the factors related to women engaging in prostitution with a primary focus on the effect of sexual violence as a primary trauma that influences drug use, mental health, and prostitution. Specifically, several research questions are examined. First, what predicts prostitution behaviors? Second, are drug use and mental health conditions mediating factors that influence the effects of early sexual violence trauma on prostitution behaviors? And finally, what predicts persistence in prostitution? By looking at prostitution behaviors and changes in this behavior over time, we can uncover the influence of primary trauma on the initiation and persistence of prostitution behaviors.