The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #71492

Ann L. Hayman, BA, MDiv, MFS, Program Director, Mary Magdalene Project, Inc., 7208 Enfield Avenue, Reseda, CA 91335, (818) 708-7234, alhayman@sprynet.com

Since 1980 the Mary Magdalene Project has been providing alternatives to women engaged in street prostitution in Southern California. Seventy percent of these women have an average of three children, 89% of whom do not have custody. Over half of this population report having other family members also involved in prostitution. Fifteen years of age is the most likely age to begin prostitution. It is this cycle that this training program is designed to break.

For years the staff of the MMP took calls from social workers and caregivers stating that they thought a particular child had a mother who was engaged in sex work, asking what they should do. Through the use of focus groups the MMP designed a program of intervention, training helping professionals to identify this hidden and isolated population. Suggested treatment plans for the children of prostituted women were then developed to insure their safe passage away from this family tradition of violence and sexual exploitation.

Working from a list of 28 vulnerabilities (i.e. childhood neglect, abandonment, physical and sexual abuse, incarcerated parents, their own involvement with juvenile justice, mental illness, substance abuse, family violence, poverty, racism, etc.) the children were asked to identify their primary needs and concerns. They were also asked to evaluate the intervention and treatment that they had received related to their mother's involvement in sex work. The children averaged 14 vulnerabilities each with some experiencing as amany as 25 of these issues.

Learning Objectives:

• To help social workers, foster care providers and mental health professionals identify and analyze the vulnerabilities of the children of sex workers and develop appropriate treatment plans. At the conclusion of this session participants will be able to recognize this hidden and underserved population and formulate plans for appropriate intervention and support.

Keywords: Children, Sex Workers

Related Web page: mmp.org

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.