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. 2020 Jul;30(9):1326-1337.
doi: 10.1177/1049732320913857. Epub 2020 Apr 14.

Fierce Autonomy: How Girls and Young Women Impacted by Commercial Sexual Exploitation Perceive Health and Exercise Agency in Health Care Decision-Making

Sarah M Godoy  1   2 , Laura S Abrams  3 , Elizabeth S Barnert  1   4   5 , Mikaela A Kelly  1   2 , Eraka P Bath  1   2
Affiliations

Fierce Autonomy: How Girls and Young Women Impacted by Commercial Sexual Exploitation Perceive Health and Exercise Agency in Health Care Decision-Making

Sarah M Godoy et al. Qual Health Res. 2020 Jul.

Abstract

Prior research has examined the high health care needs and vulnerabilities faced by survivors of commercial sexual exploitation (CSE), yet their perspectives are frequently absent. We sought to understand the narratives and views of individuals affected by CSE on their bodies, health, and motivations to seek health care treatment. Twenty-one girls and young women ages 15 to 19 years with self-identified histories of CSE participated in the study. All participants had current or prior involvement in the juvenile justice and/or child welfare systems. Data collection included brief questionnaires, followed by semi-structured individual interviews. The interviews took place between March and July 2017 and were analyzed using iterative and inductive techniques, using the shared decision-making model as a guide. "Fierce Autonomy" emerged as a core theme, depicting how past traumas and absence of control led the girls and young women to exercise agency and reclaim autonomy over decisions affecting their health.

Keywords: United States; agency; commercial sexual exploitation; fierce autonomy; girls; health care; qualitative interviews; sex trafficking; young women.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of Conflicting Interests: The Authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Fierce autonomy: A conceptual model.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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