Child Prostitution In The United States

Sex trafficking, particularly that of children, has become a growing concern in the United States over the past several decades (Kotrla, 2010). By definition, child sex trafficking is “when a child (under 18 years of age) is induced to perform a commercial sex act” (U.S., 2013, para. 4), and includes forms such as prostitution and pornography (Kotrla, 2010). Researchers suggest that children are the most vulnerable to becoming victims of prostitution (Kotrla), and it is estimated that there are at least 100,000 victims in the United States (Estes & Weiner, 2001). Sex traffickers, otherwise known as “pimps,” often lure children with promises of food, clothing, love, and shelter, and then the pimps manipulate the children to keep them in prostitution (U.S. Department of Justice [DOJ], 2015). Awareness of the issue has led to the development of organizations, such as Children of the Night, that seek to help victims escape the sex trafficking industry (Children of the Night [COTN], 2016d).

Children within the United States who are being trafficked are part of what is called, domestic minor sex trafficking. These adolescents are citizens who have been forced, coerced, or misled to become a part of the commercial sex industry. Some of the most common ways to force minors into trafficking is through exotic dancing also known as stripping, brothels, porn, escorting, and massage services just to name a few (Minor Domestic Sex Trafficking). It is disturbing to know that there are children who are going through this. In order to create prevention and intervention programs for trafficking, it is important to understand what a sex trafficker is and the strategies they use to recruit children.

Human trafficking has been identified as a profitable illicit business. Sexual exploiters have profited off the sexual exploitation of women and minors, while businesses have profited from nonconsensual labor from minors who cannot express their own interest. (Marcus, et.al, 2002, p.47). The regional director of “Not for Sale” makes a valid point about profitable gains of human trafficking. “You can sell a bag of drugs once, but you can sell a person multiple times,” (Marcus, et.al, 2002, p.47). That quote is basically the mindset of traffickers who look forward to making a profit and decide partake in this illicit business. In regards to sexual exploiters and minors, there are only a handful of

Traffickers and pimps are looking for vulnerable, “at risk” young girls to come join the black market of sex trafficking. Whether this means the girls are in a foster care system, a group home, an already abusive home situation, or simply living in a family below the poverty line and struggling to make ends meet. These types of victims are easy to convince that a life of prostitution which seemingly offers protection and opportunities is what they deserve. Before the widespread use of the internet, traffickers had to send out pimps to “scope out” their potential victims, gather information, and determine whether or not they fit the criteria of the black market. But with the rise of the technological era and easily accessible personal info, traffickers simply require their pimps to scour online profiles, find vulnerable targets, and send out a message or set up an online ad that appeals to their

Supply and demand are usually the reason for every commodity. If the law doesn't allow the item being demanded, a black market will be created (“Pearson Economy Textbook 128-129”). Child prostitution and trafficking has a demand, and because that demand is present, a black market is created. Because it is illegal, there is a lot of money to be made from children in sex trafficking. Tom Philpott, a former editor of the Daily Texan, and History Professor at the University of Texas explains in his documentary “Boys for Sale” that there are a few situations where child prostitution and sex slavery can be influenced by the economy. It can influence the victim themselves, or by pimps who organize young children for prostitution. Kids who are on the streets are usually homeless, orphans or runaways that are trying to pay for food and take care of their other siblings. They oftentimes resort to trading sexual favors for food and money in order to survive. Pimps can step in and take advantage of these children by organizing them between buyers. Offering children food, shelter, and basic life necessities are the trade off pimps offer for children to lure them in. Philpott goes on to talk about how young boys, in particular, are often exchanged between high-powered professions and people who hold prestigious roles in society. This can make these illegal activities higher priced and place victims at a higher risk of harm because of the illicit affairs high profile buyers partake

“Crime rates in San Diego are below that of the national level. Crimes, including murders, rapes, robberies, assaults, burglaries all seem to “bell curve” between 1999 and 2011 per the City Data website, most peaking between 2003 and 2006. Most events are on the decline since 2006. The over all

Valcoast District. One of the most known districts in America. Located in California, it was mostly known for the crime rates, which were the highest in America. In fact, if you took the crime rates from every other place in America and combined them Valcoast District would be higher still. The worst thing about Valcoast District was that the majority of people got sucked into crime one way or another. Either being a victim of a crime or the one causing it, you got involved somehow.

However a majority of the girls are abducted or forced while many are attracted in other ways. Fake agencies sometimes posing as massage agencies lure in women into the trafficking industry. These women are offered money, free transportation to these agencies to work, with an agreement that the costs will be paid back through the woman’s earnings for her work (Hodge, D. 2008). Other girls are lured in through brothels, escort services, hostess clubs, and strip clubs (Kotrla, K. 2010) where they are abused, manipulated, and have been forced to participate in sexual acts against their will.

The city of Stockton had a crime rate of 695 crimes per 10,000 residents. PBS Newshour states, “One thing builds upon another. The poor financial situation has forced the police force to drop by 27 percent recently. And that, of course, has made the already high crime rate go up even more” (PBS Newshour, 2012). Crime has been one of the biggest factors that has affected the health of the community in many ways by causing fear of assault, gang-related violence, and having it as a barrier to using community parks, exercising outdoors, walking to and from school, accessing local food outlets, and using public transportation, (SJC2HAC, pg. 31,

Some other causes for a spike in crime rates include bars. In the article written by Kathryn Stewart called “How Alcohol Outlets Affect Neighborhood Violence”, she talks about the information that she has gathered about the relationship between outlet density and alcohol violence. In one of the many findings that she has come up with, she says “In a study of 74 cities in Los Angeles County, California, a higher density of alcohol outlets was associated with more violence, even when levels of unemployment, age, ethnic and racial characteristics and other community characteristics were taken into account” (Stewart 2). She explains how areas within heavily populated cities with a numerous amount of liquor stores and bars are linked to the dangerously high crime rates. The underlying factors, like unemployment, that Stewart mentions, all play a part in why people are so drawn to these specific spots. When there are liquor stores in these areas, they do indeed attract people based on age and

This article by Janie Chuang offers a critical account of the prostitution-reform debates’ influence on anti-trafficking law and policy development over the last decade. The article discusses the difficulties of translating moral and ethical beliefs, as well as anti-prostitution ideology, into effective policy and governance. Chuang conversely recommends the adoption of a

California has long been viewed as the land of opportunity, beautiful weather, and even more beautiful people. However, regular news viewers also know that California has a long history of gang warfare and drug-related violence in the inner cities, a culture which make some California cities like Stockton, Oakland, and Richmond some of the most dangerous areas in the nation, with murder and violent crime rates that rival major cities in the third world.

It is rather odd to think that prostitution, which is considered to be the world’s oldest profession, would be illegal and harmful in nature. The issue of legalizing prostitution has entered public conversation around the world, which is severely divided. Many, like myself, consider prostitution to be a victimless crime. Despite such opposition to legalizing prostitution, many argue that legalizing it would result in decreased morality issues, increase the economic activity in the United States, and help decrease the number of sexually transmitted diseases among both prostitutes and those who patronize them,

Opponents of legalization, contend that that prostitution is “a degrading and abusive practice that fosters crime, exposes prostitute to violence, and increases the spread of sexually transmitted diseases” (“Prostitution”). Some maintain that prostitution is not a victimless crime, and it damages women emotionally and physically; for example, street prostitutes experience high levels of post-traumatic stress disorder that are comparable to those among rape survivors, battered women, and survivors of torture, and have high rates of anxiety and depression. They also claim that there is no evidence to support the claim that legalizing prostitution would reduce the prevalence of assault; some analysts even claim that prostitution may foster attitudes that contribute to violence against women (“Prostitution”). The Coalition against Trafficking in Women claims that “prostitution affects all women, justifies the sale of any woman, and reduce all women to sex”,

Child prostitution is prostitution that involves exploiting children for a sexual act. The word usually refers to prostitution of a minor, or someone who is under the legal age of consent. In most places child prostitution is illegal, but not all. Sex trafficking is usually the first step to child prostitution. Sex trafficking is when a child is kidnapped or tricked into becoming involved in the black market sex trade or “survival sex.” “Survival sex” is when a child forced to engage in sexual acts to obtain basic life essentials.