Preventing the Re-Traumatization of Individuals who are Arrested for Prostitution by Implementing Trauma-Informed Practices in the Criminal Justice System

Abstract

Most literature suggests that at least half of those who engage in prostitution have a history of physical or sexual abuse. Individuals who have experienced trauma are constantly re-traumatized during their sex work. Standard procedures used in arrests of people engaging in prostitution can have profoundly triggering effects on individuals with histories of trauma. To reduce re-traumatization and promote rehabilitation, it is critical to create trauma-informed practices within law enforcement and the criminal justice system to better serve individuals arrested for prostitution. Specific trauma-informed training for law enforcement officers and legal counsel staff who work with people charged with prostitution can be created using components from several existing trauma-specific models which this paper will address in detail.