Teenage prostitution is a very common and very serious problem in San Diego County. That's according to a new study by the San Diego Association of Governments the first of its kind in the region. KPBS reporter Beth Ford Roth has the story.
SANDAG surveyed health and law enforcement professionals who deal with teen prostitutes. They report about half the girls they interact with are between the ages of 13 and 15, and most engage in prostitution on a weekly basis.
SANDAG researcher Sandy Keaton says most respondents believe teen prostitutes are motivated by money. But many get involved because they're forced to.
Keaton: "Fifty nine percent of the respondents felt that coercion was involved, there was an outside influence in the girls becoming involved in prostitution, that someone basically pushed them towards this act."
The report recommends the creation of a regional task force on female teen prostitution, made up of school officials, law enforcement, and mental health providers. Beth Ford Roth, KPBS news.
