Deaf Populations and Human Trafficking: Risk and Protective Factors for Consideration

Author: Bowman, Elizabeth; Kobek Pezzarossi, Caroline & Crowe, Teresa

Abstract: Deaf populations have a significant vulnerability to sex trafficking and the commercial sexual exploitation of children. Despite the presence of literature on the incidence of sexual abuse and other types of gender-based violence in Deaf communities, this topic has gone unresearched to date. This integrative review article provides an overview of the research on experiences of Deaf populations and sex work, domestic violence, sexual abuse, and other overlapping types of violence which often obfuscate victim identification. Additionally, the article summarizes findings from the literature and makes recommendations for practice in work with this population.

Keywords: commercial sexual exploitation, deaf, human trafficking, disability, sex trafficking