Child Sex Trafficking Research

Out of the thousands of people that have been human trafficking victims each year, only an insignificant amount of them is actually reported. Imagine being in 8th grade. Having all sorts of hopes and dreams. Now flash forward to dreams being taken away by a pimp that lures people into human trafficking. In short, this is true for Holly Austin Smith, a survivor of human trafficking. The punishment for the pimps that ruin the lives of these young girls is not severe. Therefore, there is not much help for the girls after they get rescued from this tragedy. A realization Holly had soon on and explains, “...Although I was soon recognized to be a victim, the specialized aftercare needed for a trafficking victim did not yet exist... Twenty years ago, there were no anti-trafficking laws in place. This pimp, who raped and lured a child into prostitution, served only 365 days in jail” (Smith). This young girl had recovered from this horrible incident all by herself. Many other girls in her position have gone through similar experiences and have been hurt by their pimp. In addition, the pimp will not receive much punishment. A sad story repeated across America and is very prominent in other countries. In America, most of the time victims are the ones that usually serve time in jail since in some cases it’s considered prostitution, even if it was forced by the pimp. In most cases, the pimps stay uncovered and if the victims of trafficking come forward as to who their pimp is, they

Many kids in foster care are being used for sex trafficking not only in the US but all around the world. However, the commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC) is the most common form of human trafficking in America and runaway and homeless youth, namely foster kids, are its primary victims.

Of the 13,325 calls made to the Human Trafficking hotline, 4,546 were made by community members; that is highest amount of calls were made by a single source. By making people aware of the crime, it can help to the spread and vast reach of trafficking. Not only an increase from a decade ago, but also a difference between two years that sees an increase in reported cases and victims. 2016 alone saw 7,572 reported cases of human trafficking, 2015 saw 5,526 cases reported, and 2014 saw 5,042 reported cases. There were 4,293 more reported cases in 2016 than 2012. This data shows an increase in recent years, the data from the human trafficking hotline is as current as for December 31, 2016.(Human Trafficking hotline 1) The recent increase within recent years is putting many people at

Oftentimes when people hear the term human sex trafficking, they think of heinous acts that take place in other countries where adults, children, girls and boys are exploited to perform sexual acts in exchange for money or goods against their will. They think it typically occurs in places that are less developed than the United States. However, the reality of this horrific crime is that it is taking place in the United States, and it occurs more and more each and every day. Young girls are not solely the victim of human sex trafficking, young boys are victims of this monstrous act as well. Individuals residing in the United States need to be made more aware of this issue as it has started to rise through social media, large events, and by those in other countries being promised work here. After researching, it is apparent that there is a great deal of information that is lacking, on sex trafficking in the United States. Not only is sex trafficking an issue, but the lack of awareness about sex trafficking is also an issue. This thesis proposes that human sex trafficking is an unacknowledged epidemic within the United States, and it seeks to discover why it has become so prevalent.

Amongst all the crimes in the world, one that is widely overlooked is that of human trafficking. Many individuals believe that murder, rape, grand theft auto, and other crime activities are of much importance. Although other crimes are of much important in the United States, one crime that is overlooked, especially when dealing with child welfare, is human trafficking. One thing that people overlook is that people of youth are the most vulnerable population in the United states that are risk to becoming victims of sex trafficking (Kotrla, 2010, pp. 27-42). Another issue that is overlooked is the fact that a majority of women who are in prostitution entered this fate as minors due to being trafficked (Kotrla, 2010, pp. 27-42)

In 2014, the states considered more than 220 bills that addressed human trafficking, including 24 bills in 11 states that called for expanding services to sexually exploited youth. (State Legislative). The United States expanded services like the “safe harbor” for sexually exploited children. In the United States, about 300,000 children are at the risk of being exploited and trafficked for sex. Human trafficking impacts millions of people globally; as a community we need to come up with a solution to stop it; some solutions may be, provide security for victims (of being trafficked); and help force laws against it.

As defined by the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (TVPA), sex trafficking is the recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, obtaining, patronizing, or soliciting of a person for the purpose of a commercial sex act which is induced by force, fraud, or coercion. Any child under the age of 18 who has been subjected to a

As time progresses, people are becoming aware of sex trafficking as a global problem and they are willing to step up to help the victims return to a normal lifestyle. It has become obvious to the society that underage sex trafficked victims would be able to live a happy life and enjoy their freedom. Accordingly, “Clawson and Goldblatt Grace suggested that in many other facilities, DMST (Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking) victims often go unrecognized, making both training of staff and establishment of additional organizations dedicated to meeting the unique needs of this population priorities” (Kimberly, 184). Because of how psychologically damaged and unsafe victims are, organizations who protect underage prostitution victims are taught thoroughly about their responsibilities. In addition to programs to help and protect victims, there are also rehabilitation programs for the offenders.

The International Labor Organization estimated that there were 4.5 million victims trapped in forced sexual exploitation, or sex trafficking, globally. Most would believe that this is a problem that does not occur in the United States, but they would be wrong. In 2007 alone, 14,588 sex trafficking cases were reported in the United States and the problem is only getting worse. This research paper will discuss multiple topics such as the definition of sex trafficking, recruitment and those at risk, where it occurs, organizations, consequences, a healthcare provider’s role and a study on the attitudes of the public. The objective is to bring light to this problem and educate those who are reading (Polaris Project, 2016).

With there being proven stats that victims fall under, there is still a multitude of things that can be in assistance with growing ST rates. Meaning, even though the media does play a role in the trafficking of children, it is not the soul reason, nor is it the only thing that would benefit from change and proper recognition. There are other factors that hold a consequential part in generating trafficking; inequalities in evolvement, and inadequate options for the child to legally move are ambiguous, allowing them to be a factor (Steele, 2014, 431). It’s natural that the vulnerable are seen as an easier mark, meaning that it’s needed to figure out what, in this case, makes one appear vulnerable to the traffickers. More specifically, figuring out what could put a child in a position that leaves them as being viewed as more vulnerable. With higher ST rates being seen in youth programs involving homeless and runaways, the workers in these services can be a key aspect in helping find and protect these children that are at higher risk (Orme,

Sex Trafficking in the U.S. is an article by Rachel Chinapen found inside the textbook Women’s Voices Feminist Vision. In this article the the author discusses the reality of sex trafficking in the United States still going on today. According to one of her sources, Love 146, More than 100,000 U.S children are forced to engage in prostitution or pornography in combination to $32 billion being spent worldwide on trafficking. The two examples that Chinapen gave were two women named Shandra Woworuntu and Ms. Richards. Shandra Woworuntu came to the U. S. from Indonesia to pursue a job in the hotel business but as soon as she arrived her passport and other identification was taken. For years she suffered in sex trafficking she was able to escape.

As observed from the research, there are a large number of children, especially those in the foster care system, who are affected by human and sex trafficking in the United States. Despite efforts to ensure the safety of sexually exploited children, they are sometimes still criminalized as prostitutes by those who lack awareness of the gravity of sex trafficking. The sexual exploitation of children is a crime that continues to be set aside by those who believe that human trafficking does not occur in a country that advocates for “human rights”. Prior to SB 1322, laws like the CASE Act of 2012 failed to truly protect these children who suffered a great amount of stigma and reproach from the government. With the passing of laws like the CASE

There is a specific population of children who are targeted by traffickers, which include homeless and runaway youth. The risk factors that contribute to their high level of vulnerability include poverty, severe abuse and neglect within the family, drug and alcohol abuse, and unstable relationships with their caregivers. Unfortunately, many victims also have a past traumatic experience with sexual molestation, rape or incest in their early childhood (Countryman-Roswum & Bolin, 2014).

A research study titled, Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking in the United States, indicates how youths constitute the most vulnerable group in the United States for becoming victims of sex trafficking and that most women in prostitution actually entered as minors. The Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act (VTVPA) defines sex trafficking in which a commercial sex act is induced by force, fraud, or coercion, or in which the person induced to perform such an act has not attained 18 years of age. Child abuse is a growing problem in the United States. American children are vulnerable to DMST. DMST is the commercial abuse of children through buying, selling, or trading their sexual services. Forms of DMST include prostitution, pornography, stripping, escort services, and other sexual services (Kotria).

Many Americans remain ignorant of human trafficking within the United States, believing that this inhumane act only occurs in third-world countries. No one likes to believe that it can be happening in our own country let alone in some of our own states and cities. Society rarely takes the time to understand these women and what lead them into trafficking and what factors contributed to them staying in trafficking. This study seeks to voice the ability to raise awareness, enhance penalties for the traffickers/violator’s, and offer rehabilitation for the victims.