Few studies provide detailed accounts of the exiting process and the catalysts that influence the movement toward exiting the commercial sex trade. A better understanding of this process is needed to facilitate the design of targeted and effective interventions for persons who have been involved in the commercial sex trade. Consequently, the purpose of this inquiry was to examine the process men and women undergo when exiting the commercial sex trade and to explore the role of social service providers in the exiting process. This dissertation used a feminist framework and qualitative methods to explore the experiences of 19 survivors who were in the process of exiting the commercial sex trade. The social service response was examined through individual and group interviews with 12 social service providers. The themes and findings suggest that exiting is a long and complex process that requires a tremendous amount of internal drive and social support. Moreover the findings indicate that the current social service systems are not meeting the unique needs of this client population. Suggestions for social work practice, policy, and research are presented.
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