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Human trafficking is a global, multibillion-dollar industry. Most victims are female and more than half are children. At-risk youth continue to attend school with school nurses on the frontline of this health crisis. Using the Peace and Power Conceptual Model, a mixed-methods study was conducted to explore school nurses' awareness, attitudes, and role perceptions in the prevention of commercial sexual exploitation of children. Six peace-power versus power-over power themes and subthemes were identified: “exposure/knowledge, “collaboration,” “role boundaries,” and “creating respite space.” Policy efforts should focus on improving practice conditions for school nurses to support the prevention of commercial sexual exploitation of children.
COMMERCIAL sexual exploitation of children (CSEC) involves a commercial sex act by force, fraud, or coercion and involves a person who is younger than 18 years forced to perform such acts. It is estimated that approximately 244 000 to 360 000 children in the United States are at risk for CSEC annually. Girls are at a disproportionate risk with estimates as high as 69% of CSEC female victims and 14% younger than 15 years. The national average age of entry into the commercial sex industry is 12 to 15 years, and the most vulnerable include teenage girls with a history of childhood physical, emotional, and sexual trauma. Children who live in poverty, identify as ethnic/racial minorities, and live in urban communities are at increased risk for CSEC.
