Identifying Trafficking Experience and Health Needs among African American Male Survival Sex Workers

Author: Trudeau, Elizabeth; Noble, Scott; Davis, Sill; Bryant, Sherman & Queen, Anthony

Abstract: This project used a Community-Based Participatory Research Model (CBPR) to determine trafficking rates and health needs among a vulnerable population of African American male survival sex workers in the U.S. Out of almost 200 survey participants we found that at least a third had experienced sex trafficking based on the federal definition. We discuss the mental and physical health needs described by our respondents both in surveys and in focus groups. While it may be more difficult to define and locate trafficking among vulnerable adult men, it is necessary to adopt creative research approaches in order to understand a wide range of survivors and their needs. We demonstrate that gaps in our understanding of adult male survivors and their needs can be addressed by partnering with vulnerable communities. We make recommendations both for future research and policy and resource allocation based on what our findings suggest will be the most effective ways of reaching, understanding, and serving this particular population.

Keywords: male survivors, sex trafficking, African American, methods, mental, health, physical, health