First Name:
Sydney
Last Name:
Beshore
Major Department:
Interdisciplinary Studies
Thesis Director:
Lynn Gregory
Date of Thesis:
May 2014
Nearly 300,000 children become victims of domestic minor sex trafficking (DMST) yearly at the average age of 13-14 years old in the United States (Adams, et al., 2010, p. 1). Survivors caught in the rapidly growing industry of sex trafficking cannot escape their traffickers or abusive situations due to financial dependence and severe psychological and physical sexual abuse and trauma. A long-term residential facility is necessary in order "to increase a survivor's chances of living independently and to minimize the risk of her becoming homeless or revictimized" (Shigekane, 2007, p. 128). There are currently 37 programs with 682 available beds for DMST survivors in the United States (Reichert & Sylwestrzak, 2013, p. 14). My undergraduate honors thesis evaluates the area of Watauga County as a potential location for a safe home serving female DMST survivors. This research is furthering my previous thesis, titled A Need for Restoration: A study on the ideal and realistic home for the healing of domestic sex trafficking survivors. With the research, a business plan for a safe house, called The Tree House, was created in Fall 2013. This thesis identifies the key requirements a location and community must encompass in order to sustain a safe home. I use a constant comparative methodology, comparing the area of Watauga County, including local nonprofits serving similar populations to DMST survivors and public reports, with key requirements identified by national DMST service providers. My results identify strengths, opportunities, and possible challenges this community poses, answer specific questions regarding Watauga County's ability to support this type of nonprofit, and additional research needed in order to form this conclusion.