“I wouldn’t want a child like you who sleeps around for money”: the role of stigma in the help-seeking of young people who trade sex

Young people’s involvement in the sex trade has garnered significant attention over the past decades, leading to increased research, policy, and interventions aimed at supporting them. This study explores the role of stigma in the help-seeking processes of Israeli young people in the sex trade (YPST), with particular focus on how stigma shapes their experiences and decisions in seeking assistance Using a constructivist grounded theory approach, in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with 50 YPST, aged 18–26, in Israel. The absence of minors in the sample limits direct insight into the experiences of younger individuals involved in the sex trade. The findings highlight the pervasive impact of stigma, in particular the deviancy stigma and the victim stigma , on help-seeking. While the deviancy stigma often hinders help-seeking by labeling YPST as promiscuous or morally deviant, it can also motivate them to seek help to avoid labeling. Conversely, the victim stigma, which presents YPST as helpless and passive, can obstruct or promote help-seeking by either undermining agency or encouraging YPST to reclaim their narrative. The findings highlight the importance of a stigma-sensitive approach to supporting YPST, which acknowledges YPST’s strengths and agency. The study contributes to the growing body of knowledge on the complex dynamics of stigma and help-seeking among marginalized populations, providing valuable insights for help-providers wishing to support them.