School Counselors and Child Sex Trafficking: Insights into Their Training, Practices, and Perceptions of Competence.
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| Title: | School Counselors and Child Sex Trafficking: Insights into Their Training, Practices, and Perceptions of Competence. |
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| Authors: | Evans Zalewski, Sarah1 (AUTHOR) slzalewski@ccsu.edu, Blau, Julia JC1 (AUTHOR), Biggins, Patrick1 (AUTHOR), Vass, Julianna1 (AUTHOR) |
| Source: | Journal of Child Sexual Abuse. Jan2026, Vol. 35 Issue 1, p70-90. 21p. |
| Subject Terms: | *Counselors, *Children's rights, *Qualitative research, *Occupational roles, *Medical education, *Clinical competence, *School health services, Prevention of child sexual abuse, Human trafficking prevention, Public health laws, Professional ethics, Statistical sampling, Chi-squared test, Descriptive statistics, Attitudes of medical personnel, Confidence intervals, Psychosocial factors |
| Abstract: | The purpose of this empirical study is to examine the preparation and perceived competence of school counselors in addressing instances involving children at risk of or who are victims of child sex trafficking. This national study convenience sampled 158 self-identified school counselors using a quantitative survey inquiring into their knowledge and training pertaining to students at risk for sex trafficking. The results indicate that school counselors do not see themselves as competent nor do they have training in identifying and aiding students at risk for child sex trafficking. Since school counselors are perhaps the most easily accessible mental health professionals for children, charged with caring for and advocating for all students, they should be provided training about child sex trafficking so that they can identify and help these students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| Copyright of Journal of Child Sexual Abuse is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) | |
| Database: | Education Research Complete |
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| Abstract: | The purpose of this empirical study is to examine the preparation and perceived competence of school counselors in addressing instances involving children at risk of or who are victims of child sex trafficking. This national study convenience sampled 158 self-identified school counselors using a quantitative survey inquiring into their knowledge and training pertaining to students at risk for sex trafficking. The results indicate that school counselors do not see themselves as competent nor do they have training in identifying and aiding students at risk for child sex trafficking. Since school counselors are perhaps the most easily accessible mental health professionals for children, charged with caring for and advocating for all students, they should be provided training about child sex trafficking so that they can identify and help these students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| ISSN: | 10538712 |
| DOI: | 10.1080/10538712.2026.2630831 |
