Criminal justice involvement among young adults exchanging sex in Detroit. (October 2018) - Knittel, Andrea K.
Abstract: For young adult sex workers, the risk of arrest and incarceration are dramatically influenced by the venue of sex exchange and individual and neighborhood characteristics. Using a unique venue-based survey sample of young adults in Detroit who are exchanging sex, multivariable logistic regression models were used to identify associations with arrest and incarceration. Criminal justice involvement was normative, and risk was increased by working on the street venue, using drugs, lacking stable housing, juvenile arrest or incarceration, dropping out of school before age 18, and neighborhood characteristics. Several promising points of intervention could reduce criminal justice involvement for young adults exchanging sex. Highlights: The majority of young adults who exchange sex have been involved in the criminal justice system. Working on the street, using drugs and lacking stable housing increased risk for arrest and incarceration. Completing high school was highly protective against criminal justice involvement.