Research Report Surviving the Streets of New York: Experiences of LGBTQ Youth, YMSM, and YWSW Engaged in Survival Sex
Meredith Dank, Jennifer Yahner, Kuniko Madden, Isela Banuelos, Lilly Yu, Andrea Ritchie, Mitchyll Mora, Brendan Conner
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Based on interviews with 283 youth in New York City, this is the first study to focus on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer or questioning (LGBTQ) youth; young men who have sex with men (YMSM); and young women who have sex with women (YWSW) who get involved in the commercial sex market in order to meet basic survival needs, such as food or shelter. The report documents these youth’s experiences and characteristics to gain a better understanding of why they engage in survival sex, describes how the support networks and systems in their lives have both helped them and let them down, and makes recommendations for better meeting the needs of this vulnerable population.
Research Areas Crime, justice, and safety Neighborhoods, cities, and metros Children and youth Families Social safety net
Tags Victims of crime Poverty Human trafficking Economic well-being Homelessness Sexual attitudes and behavior Foster care LGBTQ+ equity Sexual violence Kids in context LGBTQ+ youth LGBTQ+ people and criminal justice LGBTQ+ people and housing and transportation equity LGBTQ+ rights and antidiscrimination Youth development
Policy Centers Justice Policy Center