DISRUPTING SEXUAL EXPLOITATION WITH NATIVE YOUTH: Digging Up the Roots with Arts-Based Participatory Action Research

Our chapter introduces a Youth Participatory Action Research project that tackled the issue of sex trading and exploitation among Native youth. Alongside members of an existing university-based research team and Community Advisory Board, our team of 8 youth researchers conducted an in-depth multi-method inquiry to understand the prevalence of sex trading among Native youth, the roots of vulnerability and identify strategies to disrupt exploitation. We present our process including issue analysis, praxis tools/activities and findings. Together, we found a significantly disproportionate prevalence of sex trading experienced by Native youth, uncovered socially reinforced pathways, or what we termed “roots” of vulnerability, and developed strategies of cultural and social transformation with potential to disrupt these pathways. Drawing on the artistic sensibilities of our youth researchers and with an eye toward sharing our story with community members, service providers, policymakers and the general public, we developed a series of infographics to share our analysis and strategies.