Vulnerabilities to Sex Trafficking and Barriers to Service Access by Race, Gender, Sexuality, and Disability: Implications for Anti-Oppressive Practice

Author: Nichols, Andrea & Preble, Kathleen

Abstract: The current study examines professionals’ perspectives and experiences working with sex trafficking survivors related to race/ethnicity, gender, sexuality, and disability with the aim of improving services. Thirty-five audio-recorded and transcribed interviews with professionals working directly with sex trafficking survivors in the criminal legal system or social services composed the data for this project. Data analysis involved a multi-pronged independent co-coding process, including selective and open coding of the transcripts to identify key themes and subthemes. Professionals described unique vulnerabilities to sex trafficking and barriers to service access experienced by survivors with a disability. Results related to race/ethnicity were in conflict, with some participants expressing color evasiveness1 and others delineating disproportionately higher risk and barriers to service use. Sexual and gender minorities were also described as experiencing disproportionately higher vulnerability and barriers to service use. Implications include education and training of professionals working with sex trafficking survivors in cultural humility and anti-oppressive practice, as well as evidence-based training on risk factors and barriers to service use inclusive of race/ethnicity, sexuality, gender, and disability.

Keywords: anti-oppressive practice, commercial sexual exploitation, disability, intersectionality, LGBTQ+, race, sex trafficking