This presentation focuses on older adolescents with intellectual disabilities involved in child welfare systems and their risk of sexual victimization during transition to young adulthood. Limited studies have pointed to elevated rates of intellectual disabilities among adolescents who are sex trafficked (Reid, 2018). Using a weighted sample of adolescents between the ages of 10 and 19.5 years, a secondary analysis of the National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being (NSCAW II) was conducted. Two research questions were posed: 1) What factors are associated with transitioning adolescents experiencing sexual assault? 2) What factors are associated with
transitioning adolescents engaging in transactional sex? Using a weighted sample of 334 adolescents ages 18 to 19.5 years, logistic regression analyses examined the relationships between sexual victimization and levels of intellectual ability, social supports, and neighborhood cohesion. Results indicate 2.5% of the adolescents experienced a sexual assault in the past 12 months and 3.9 % had engaged in transactional sex in the past 6 months. Being female was associated with greater odds of experiencing a sexual assault in the past 12 months. Higher intellectual ability scores were associated with lesser odds of engagement in paid sexual activity in the last 6 months. Caregivers, case managers, and youth can be trained to recognize the signs of sexual assault and exploitation. Prevention of sexual victimization through enhanced supports and community connections is explored in light of the Family First Prevention Act of 2018 and the Prevention of Sex Trafficking and Strengthening Families Act of 2014.
