title: Commercial sexual exploitation of children and the school nurse.
abstract: As trusted health professionals in the school setting, school nurses are well positioned to identify students who may be victims of commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC). However, until recently this issue has been clouded by lack of awareness, stigma, and/or denial. Since nationally the average age of entry for girls into the commercial sex industry (specifically prostitution) is 12-15 years old, many of these young people continue to attend school although attendance may be sporadic. Additional continuing education is needed to increase school nurses' awareness that these young victims might be in their practices, whether they are located in urban, rural, or suburban communities. As primary sources of health care for children throughout the United States, school nurses have a pivotal role in helping an exploited girl move beyond invisibility to a path of safety and support-and a new life.
authors.affiliation: My Life My Choice, a Program of the Justice Resource Institute, Boston, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Lisa Goldblatt
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Grace
authors.forename: Maureen
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Starck
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Potenza
authors.forename: Patricia A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Kenney
authors.forename: Anne H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Sheetz
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D016497:Adolescent Health Services; D002648:Child; D002650:Child Abuse, Sexual / Q000517:prevention & control*; D055318:Evidence-Based Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008404:Massachusetts; D012572:School Health Services; D012573:School Nursing / Q000193:education*; D011477:Sex Work