Publication year: 2011
Source: Children and Youth Services Review, In Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available online 1 August 2011
Susan, Thomson , David, Hirshberg , Amy, Corbett , Nikki, Valila , Denise, Howley
Awareness of the sexual exploitation of children and adolescents is growing in the United States. Yet, very few studies have examined successful treatment options and outcomes for this population. In response to this gap, this descriptive case study provides a brief history of treatment programs for sexually exploited adolescent girls at a residential treatment center in New England, followed by detailed information about the admissions process, treatment protocol, daily life, and outcomes of the most recent group home program. Compared with an earlier treatment program at the same facility, during its first year of operation this group home had a…
Highlights: ► We compare past and present residential treatment programs for sexually exploited adolescent girls at a single facility. ► Differences include using the transtheoretical model to guide admissions by assessing readiness to change. ► A statistically significant reduction in unplanned discharges is noted for the program using this model.