Criminology Research Council grant ; (36/89)
This research focuses on three main areas. As a follow-up to a similar study conducted 5 years earlier for the Neave Inquiry into Prostitution in Victoria, it examines first, the extent of young peoples' involvement in prostitution, the types of prostitution activity and factors related to youth involved in prostitution; secondly, whether there had been an increase in the number of young people involved in prostitution and thirdly, it examines policy changes affecting young people and factors with particular bearing on policies affecting youth involved in prostitution.
The study method involved a search of records, in log books, case books and police social background reports for the calendar year 1989, as well as interviews with those police officers, youth workers and others most closely involved with youth, at 11 Melbourne metropolitan police district offices, police units and special squads in contact with youth, three youth training centres and two inner city youth welfare programs.
Contrary to our predictions, the study found a 38% decrease in the number of young people involved in prostitution, although the proportions contacted by police, youth training centres and inner city youth services remained approximately the same.
These findings are discussed in the context of changes to Victorian Children's Court and Child Welfare legislation, legislation protecting children from sexual abuse and exploitation; the Neave Inquiry into Prostitution; worsening structural unemployment affecting young people and other relevant state and commonwealth policies.