“They Don’t Give a Damn About Us”: A Qualitative Study on Experiences and Perceptions Underlying Racial Disparities in Sex Trafficking Specialty Docket Programs

Author: Murnan, Aaron; England, Gwen; Matthews, Caneacha; Boch, Sam; Qasem, Islam; Bates, Samantha & Manchak, Sarah

Abstract: Sex trafficking specialty court programs represent a structural approach to disrupt historic patterns of violence and health disparities, as well as counteract carceral recidivism issues. Despite the promise of these programs, inequities have been observed in women’s access, entry, and success within such programs. The purpose of the current study was to understand perceptions and experiences underlying documented racial disparities in women’s access to and retention within sex trafficking specialty court programs. Fifteen black women with histories of arrest for prostitution or solicitation were recruited to participate in interviews querying experiences with referral processes, factors associated with their admittance and retention, and factors influencing whether they ultimately participated in such a program. An inductive content analysis was used to analyze interview transcript data. Four groups of themes emerged after analyses: (a) perceptions and experiences with police and the criminal legal system; (b) perceptions of sex trafficking specialty court programs; (c) perceived barriers to participation; and (d) perceived facilitators of participation. This research provides meaningful context toward perceptions and experiences underlying previously observed disparities in women’s referral to and success within sex trafficking specialty court programs. Findings provide insights toward practices that could bolster equity within these programs.

Keywords: racial disparities, sex trafficking specialty court programs, qualitative research