Graduation Semester and Year
Spring 2026
Language
English
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science in Social Work
Department
Social Work
First Advisor
Hui Huang
Second Advisor
Catherine LaBrenz
Third Advisor
Jennifer Murphy
Abstract
Child sex trafficking is a major public health issue affecting the youth population of the United States and internationally. This scoping review examines risk factors on multiple levels including individual, family, community, and macro and digital contexts. A systematic search of databases identified 32 studies meeting inclusion criteria. Findings suggest that individual-level risk includes cumulative exposure to violence and trauma, substance use, mental health and behavioral problems, child welfare and justice involvement, runaway behavior, educational disruption, limited social support, and intersection demographic vulnerabilities (e.g., gender, sexuality, race/ethnicity, disability). Family‑level risk reflects unstable or unsafe home environments characterized by substance use, criminal behavior, financial insecurity, housing instability, poor parent–child relationships, nonbiological parental arrangements, and family or peer networks connected to exploitation. Community‑level risk includes exposure to community violence, the presence of gangs or procurer, limited access to mental health services, and geographic contexts that facilitate recruitment. Macro‑level risk arises from structural conditions such as discrimination, stigma surrounding victimization, institutional failures across systems, and large‑scale disruptions (e.g., the COVID‑19 pandemic). Online/technology‑related risk includes high online presence, use of digital platforms for social or economic purposes, and limited awareness of online safety and self‑protective behaviors. Although females are more commonly represented as sex trafficking victims, recent evidence highlights important risks among males and minority youth. This review emphasizes the importance of gender-inclusive and multilevel approaches to prevention of sex trafficking, proper interventions, and policy development to address child sex trafficking.
Keywords
child sex trafficking, risk factors, scoping review, vulnerability, gender differences, cross border
Disciplines
Social Work
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License
Recommended Citation
Forbes, Peyton, "Risk Factors of Child Sex Trafficking: A Gender-Based Scoping Review in the U.S. and Cross-Border Contexts" (2026). Social Work Theses. 3.
https://mavmatrix.uta.edu/socialwork_theses2/3