Broken: How New York Systems Fail Vulnerable Youth and Send Them to Sex Work

Author

Megan Cerullo, Cuny Graduate School of JournalismFollow

Graduation Date

Fall 12-16-2016

Grading Professor

Mary Pilon

Subject Concentration

Business & Economics

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Abstract

The very places where homeless youth seek refuge have become breeding grounds for those who sell sex to bait young people into what they refer to as “the life.” Homeless youth, particularly those who have already been sexually abused, by family members or neighbors, or in the foster care system, make vulnerable prey for exploiters, who loiter outside of shelters, and other organizations providing services to the disadvantaged population. Unwitting youth who are broke and homeless and former foster care kids often turn to pimps for food, clothes, shelter -- and affection.

Many victims are youth who have aged out – or dropped out – of the foster care system, without an income, housing, or support system, making them vulnerable to the advances of sophisticated predators who pose as affectionate lovers before revealing themselves to be businessmen who profit from selling others’ bodies.

Recommended Citation

Cerullo, Megan, "Broken: How New York Systems Fail Vulnerable Youth and Send Them to Sex Work" (2016). CUNY Academic Works.
https://academicworks.cuny.edu/gj_etds/166