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Young people, prostitution and state out-of-home care: The views of a group of child welfare professionals in Victoria

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 February 2016

Rhiannon Bruce  and
Philip Mendes
Rhiannon Bruce
Affiliation:
Recent Honours student, Department of Social Work, Monash University, Victoria, Now working at the Youth Substance Abuse Service, Email: [email protected]
Philip Mendes
Affiliation:
Department of Social Work, Monash University, Victoria, Email: [email protected]
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Abstract

Previous research suggests a link between experiences of state out-of-home care – particularly residential care – and involvement in prostitution. This study explored the nature of this relationship via semi-structured interviews with nine Victorian health and welfare professionals who had worked with young people living in residential care. The findings suggest a complex interaction between precare and in-care factors. Environmental and systemic factors within residential care that may contribute to prostitution involvement include peer influence, older males, drug use, staffing factors, poor provision of sex and relationship education, placement decisions, and social isolation. Some significant implications for policy and service delivery are identified.

Type
Research Article
Information
Children Australia , Volume 33 , Issue 4 , 2008 , pp. 31 - 37
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2008

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