A Network Approach to Examine Neighborhood Interdependence Through the Target Selection of Repeat Buyers of Commercial Sex in the United States

The geographic concentration and diffusion of crime deviancy are longstanding criminological inquiries, yet few studies have examined how certain illicit behaviors transcend neighborhood borders connect neighborhoods in patterns deviancy. A structural interdependence may account for the enduring nature spread crime, making it critical to understand connected guide prevention disruption efforts. This study examines through case repeat buyers commercial sex massage businesses a metropolitan city United States. By frequenting venues multiple neighborhoods, create inter-neighborhood connections which demand an market can across neighborhoods. Using online review data about sex, this analyzes as network comprised nodes (“neighborhoods”) edges (“connections between neighborhoods”). Exponential random graph models were used analyze characteristics space overall explain connectivity sex. implications research, policy, practice will be discussed.