Sex Trafficking In Linda Smith's Renting Lacey, By Linda Smith

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).

Have you ever walked into Wal-Mart and taken the time to look at the numerous pictures of missing youth that is plastered on the wall? When looking at how long they have been missing, it ranges anywhere from months to years. Looking at their age, both boys and girls, it is hard not to wonder if these kids are being trafficked. Child sex trafficking, also known as human trafficking, is a major issue that is not only plaguing the United States, but the world. Residing in a state where teen sex trafficking is very common, it is imperative that not only adults, but the youth understand what child sex/human trafficking is, what is a sex-trafficker, and the data that reveals the seriousness of child sex

In the news report “Human Trafficking”, author Olivia Neeley, a correspondent for the Tribune Business News, explains the procedure of luring a young individual into human trafficking, and gaining control of the modern-day slaves. The author explains that the traffickers, also called pimps, exchange basic needs in order to make the victim work for them; once they successfully subdue the victim, they use drugs and debts to control them. Human trafficking is much more common than we think; this crime can take place in just an average neighborhood, as when Neeley states, “Traffickers love rural areas” (Neeley). This article is helpful to the topic because it demonstrates how the trafficker persuade victims into this industry without using force,

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

Human trafficking is a crime that is vast and ever-growing. It is also hard to identify and prevent, which attributes to the growing industry associated with this crime. There have been researchers who have examined the current data on human trafficking through literature reviews. Unfortunately, there will be limitations to this research because one cannot properly assess all cases of human trafficking; especially because there are many occurrences that go undetected. There have also been researchers who have linked human trafficking with particular criminological theories, in attempt to explain both why traffickers partake in this crime, and how individuals become victimized. This paper will examine 2 of the literature reviews completed, the limitations of those reviews, and 2 theories that may be used in explaining how one may become a victim and trafficker of human trafficking.

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

daughters being sold by their parents, either to pay off some debt or just because the parents need

Up to 600,000 to 800,000 people are trafficked annually, of which about 80 percent are women and up to half are children. Human traffickers take people against their own will in order to make some money for themselves, and they have no compassion towards their victims. Several solutions have been brought up, but most will not fix the problem. Some people state that we just need to add to law enforcement efforts and put harsher punishments into effect, just like Koh Tsin Yen did in her 2016 article “Point: Human trafficking is a domestic and transnational crime. Governments should strengthen their law enforcement efforts to combat it” that was published on InfOhio’s Point of View Reference Center. On the other side of this argument, opponents

Human trafficking affects our children and our schools more than most realize. It is estimated that more than 200,000 American children are trafficked each year in America. Victims of trafficking often come from vulnerable populations, including migrants, oppressed or marginalized groups, runaways or displaced persons, and the poor (Talati). The children most likely to be targeted by traffickers are those not living with their parents, who are vulnerable to coerced labor exploitation, domestic servitude, or prostitution. Sex traffickers target children because of their vulnerability and gullibility, as well as the market demand for young victims. Studies have shown that it is not just high school children at risk, demonstrating that pimps prey on victims as young as 12 years old. Victims

This article by Cheryl Butler applies Critical Race Feminism to the issues of prostitution and sex trafficking in the United States. In doing so, Butler explores the debate on prostitution and sex trafficking through an intersectional lens, and thus acknowledges the role that race and class play in prostitution in America. She fully considers prostitution from a critical race perspective, i.e., one that considers how race and gender intersect with other systems of oppression together to marginalize people of color in America. She proposes policy changes that may help address prostitution from a position of intersectionality.

Prostitution is a well-known act of offering sexual service to an individual in return for payment. In the documentary “Very Young Girls” it explains a candid perspective of prostitution and sex slavery in New York City. This film allows the viewers to see the works of a former prostitute Rachel Lloyd. Rachel Lloyd started an organization called GEM (Girls Education and Mentoring Services) to meet the needs of victimized young women who escape their handler and find an alternate route of life. It shows teenage girls during different stages of their transition. Although this program would hope for a successful turnout some girls are sp psychologically damaged by their owners that they feel obligated to return. Using the material from the previous class periods, it will further explain the theories of human behavior. The eight perspectives from chapter two and the trauma/ maltreatment effects on brain development.

Author, Alisa Jordheim exposes the growing problem of child exploitation in the United States. This book includes a series of personal narratives. Five (5) adults, who were taken captive as young children and exploited in the commercial sex industry, tell their individual stories and how they survived. This is an honest and accurate portrayal of a horrific and shocking industry prevalent in our modern society. Children, in particular, are an easy prey for human traffickers.

The telling of a story is never easy, especially when the topic is racy, emotionally charged, and highly taboo. Rachel Moran deftly covers all aspects of her life in prostitution in “Paid For: My Journey Through Prostitution”, from addiction to abuse, and every moment in between. Moran utilizes macro level structure by dividing her memoir into three parts, and further dividing her book by chapters organized by topics concerning factors that contribute to prostitution, all in order to create a cohesive story that is compartmentalized for easy access to specific information, and creates a story that is used as a support system for a deeper message about the need for social and legislative change regarding prostitution.

The traffickers scared the victims from law enforcement so there’s very little an officer can do. In the article Coorlim, Ford says, “They fear law enforcement because they’re technically committing a crime and that is prostitution”. So many victims are silence and its being hard for law enforcement officials to help these victims. For instance if the they get caught and the victims don’t talk, women and even the young teen will get sent to jail for prostituting and the trafficker walks free because the victims are scared that the traffickers will kill them or their family. Traffickers beat and punish the victims to where they will obey at all cost even if they have the chance for freedom; they are too scared and too weak to speak up and most

Similar to social workers our local police department must be equipped and trained to handle sensitive issues of human trafficking. Most trafficked women are sex slaves and confused as prostitutes, so instead of feeling like they have been saved victims they are dehumanized and arrested. The importance of educating law enforcement is to get rid of the stigma that all women willfully participate in prostitution, which is not true at all. If these officers have training they would be able to better identify victims. In the quantitative study conducted the participants were asked Q3: How does police understanding of human trafficking influence the ways the police identify and investigate these crimes? According to A. Farrell et al, he found that