The Impact of Observer Characteristics on Blame Assessments of Prostituted Female Youth

Abstract

Currently, two studies have examined perceptions of prostituted youth and factors associated with negative assessments. The male- and majority-race nature of criminal justice agencies and research on rape victim culpability attributions underscores the importance of addressing perceptions of this population as paramount to effective intervention. This research used 357 student survey responses to investigate observer characteristics correlated with blameworthiness assessments. Findings demonstrated sexist attitudes and observer race correlated with blameworthiness directed toward prostituted youth with no victimization history disclosure, and prostitution myth adherence and observer childhood abuse correlated with blameworthiness directed toward prostituted youth whose victimization history was disclosed. Research and policy implications are discussed.

Keywords

commercial sexual exploitation prostitution juvenile justice culpability assessments blameworthiness

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