Desire for Help Among Sexual and Gender Minority Youth at Risk for Commercial Sexual Exploitation

Sexual and gender minority (SGM) youth face disproportionate hardships from systemic inequality and are overrepresented among youth at risk for commercial sexual exploitation (CSE), yet little is known about the help they desire as sexual risk escalates. Using data from a national online survey of 1272 SGM youth aged 13–22 in the United States, this study examined patterns and predictors of desired help across domains of need by level of CSE risk. Nearly all participants reported wanting help for at least one concern, with mental health needs most prevalent. Youth with confirmed CSE reported the highest rates of desired help across all domains, including mental health, sexual health, substance use, food, and housing. Socio-structural conditions, particularly unstable housing, food insecurity, and poor home conditions, strongly shaped help-seeking for basic needs and attenuated associations between CSE status and desired assistance. Findings indicate that SGM youth at risk for or experiencing CSE desire support.