The prostitution and trafficking of American Indian/Alaska Native women in Minnesota
Date
2016
Journal Title
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Volume Title
Publisher
American Indian & Alaska Native Mental Health Research: The Journal of the National Center
Abstract
We examined social and physical violence experienced by
American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) women in prostitution and their
impacts on the mental and physical health of 105 women (81%
Anishinaabe, mean age = 35 years) recruited through service agencies in
three Minnesota cities. In childhood, abuse, foster care, arrests, and
prostitution were typical. Homelessness, rape, assault, racism, and
pimping were common. The women’s most prevalent physical symptoms
included muscle pain, impaired memory or concentration, and headaches.
Symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder and dissociation were
common, with more severe psychological symptoms associated with worse
health. Most of the women wanted to leave prostitution and they most
often identified counseling and peer support as necessary to accomplish
this. Most saw colonization and prostitution of AI/AN women as
connected.
Description
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Keywords
trafficking, CSEC, exploitation, Native American, Alaska Natives
Citation
Farley, M., Deer, S., Golding, J. M., Matthews, N., Lopez, G., Stark, C., & Hudon, E. (2016). The prostitution and trafficking of American Indian/Alaska Native women in Minnesota. American Indian & Alaska Native Mental Health Research: The Journal of the National Center, 23(1).