Characteristics, Experiences, and Perceptions of Family Members of Sex Trafficking Specialty Court Participants: An Exploratory Qualitative Inquiry

Author: Murnan, Aaron; Mahon, Jane; England, Gwen; Pate, Symone; Thompson, Susan; Stewart, Christina; Doone, Jess; Daniels, LaRose; Brown, Jennifer; Manchak, Sarah & Butsch Kovacic, Melinda

Abstract: To examine the characteristics, experiences, and perceptions of family members (n = 15) identified as supportive by women participating in a sex trafficking specialty court program, a qualitative study was conducted. Findings reflect that family members, especially those with their own experiences with substance use and sex trade involvement, demonstrated empathy, resilience, and strong desires to support participants’ treatment success. Despite complex relational histories, participants presented with several protective characteristics and held strong desires to support court participants. Findings challenge prevailing assumptions about family risk and highlight the potential for some family members to represent a supportive influence on sex trafficking specialty court participants’ short- and long-term success.

Keywords: co-design, family relationships, Inductive Content Analysis, sex trade involvement, sex trafficking, specialty treatment court programs