Date of Award
5-2025
Document Type
Project
Degree Name
Master of Social Work
Department
School of Social Work
First Reader/Committee Chair
Arkadie, Nicole
Abstract
Foster youth deal with many complicating factors due to being victims of abuse being removed from their families, unstable placement, and family support. Foster youth are also at an increased risk of being targeted by traffickers due to vulnerabilities including substance use, unresolved mental health issues, and a history of frequent running away behavior. This study aims to speak to social workers about effective strategies to prevent or keep foster youth safe from being exploited. This seeks to determine which strategies are best in promoting safety, permanency, and well-being for foster youth from the professionals that have or have had contact with the Commercial Sexually Exploited Children (CSEC) population.
A qualitative research design was used by using interviews with social work professionals, supervisors, and managers to get their perspectives. Participants provided their insight on challenges/barriers that come with working with the CSEC population. The participants spoke about effective and less effective strategies along with strategies they felt could be used in the future. The findings concluded more training is needed to assist with working with these youth and the use of the harm reduction model which allowed workers to meet the youth where they are at. In conclusion, there is an urgent need for additional training and research into this matter.
Recommended Citation
Williams, Gerald Laurice II, "SEXUALLY EXPLOITED FOSTER YOUTH AND SOCIAL WORKER’S PERSPECTIVE ON EFFECTIVE STRATEGIES FOR PERMANENCY, SAFETY, AND WELL-BEING." (2025). Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations. 2137.
https://scholarworks.lib.csusb.edu/etd/2137