Youth Human Trafficking

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.

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,

“I want my mommy” is a common phrase used by kids who are in emotional distress and want to find comfort. To hear a child utter those words would be enough to evoke empathy in most Americans. Unfortunately, while most Americans look at a child as helpless, emotional, and pure, there is a darker side to the U.S population. This demographic actively chooses to disregard a child's innocence and uses them for their own personal needs: sex trafficking. Sex trafficking is the exploitation of nonconsensual people that occurs throughout the United States and Globally. Oftentimes the victims are subjected to threats, violence, and other forms of coercion to compel their victims to perform commercial sex acts. The reason this is a problem is that sex

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

“ She was just seventeen when she got into prostitution- child trafficking- but she didn’t know she was a victim at the time. She had been beaten and raped by her father since she was twelve years old.” (Zhai Yun, 1.) Young victims of youth sex trafficking are not just kidnapped by unknown people into this. It can be by their father, mother, brother, or sister. It can be forced upon them by people who have come into their life claiming they can make it better. When in reality it just makes it worse. They have no idea what they are getting into and what is going to happen to them. They are fed with lies and false pretentions of what is going to happen. They are caught in a trap that is hard to get out of. Often they are to scared to try to run or be rescued. They just do what they are told so that they live or so their loved ones live.

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

One woman in “Sex Trafficking on the North Shore article,” who wishes not to be identified, stated that she met her pimp at age 17 when she was a college student. She was forced into prostitution as well as recruiting other women and girls. Social Services from Fond du lac work with dozens of girls that fall victim to traffickers. Traffickers search malls and schools for girls as young as 10 and 12 years old. Part of the problem is families living in poverty. This issue

Officials are bringing awareness to people who are already in the age of involvement of domestic minor sex trafficking. This is good, although, it is not very efficient. Siddharth Kara, is on the board of directors of Free the Slaves, states that the fate of a domestic minor sex trafficking victim only increases after being trafficked once (16). It is very hard to identify a victim who is involved in domestic minor sex trafficking. Gail Hornor, a certified pediatric nurse practitioner, says that a bond is formed between the victim and the pimp that cause a hesitation because of fear (90). They are afraid of what there pimp will do to them and/or their families. Therefore, we need to educate

When some people hear the expression “child sex trafficking” inevitably unspeakable thoughts come to mind, others are unaware this is even happening. Sex trafficking is a serious criminal issue taking place within the borders of the United States, but on the outside of these boarders this crime stands as a reliable source of income for those who participate. Although child sex trafficking is a local crime it is obvious that multiple nations have different viewpoints on the topic. The problem at hand is meeting in the middle where this situation can exist without creating a riot with residents and eliminating the destruction of young children’s lives. Though this topic is a sensitive one, there are ways to allow it to coexist in everyday

“A pimp is a person who controls and financially benefits from the commercial sexual exploitation of another” (A Glossary of Sex Trafficking Terms”). Pimps know how to manipulate their victims and cause immense terror to the point where they are too afraid to escape or find help. “Pimps use physical, emotional and psychological abuse to coerce young women and girls into a life of sex trafficking. Many suffer severe emotional trauma, including symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder and dissociation” (“What is Sex Trafficking?”). The majority of these pimps use the lover boy technique to recruit women and girls. (“What is Sex Trafficking?”). “They promise fulfilled dreams, protection, adventure and after securing her love and loyalty, he will force her into prostitution” (“What is Sex Trafficking?”). In addition to all the emotional and physical abuse victims endure, “they are at greater risk of contracting sexually transmissible infections, including HIV/AIDS” (What is Sex Trafficking.) Many become pregnant and are forced to undergo often unsafe abortions” (“What is Sex

Human trafficking the modern day slavery; is as serious crime and an act of violation of human rights. The United Nations (UN) defines human trafficking as; " the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring or receipt of persons, by means of threat or use of force or other forms of coercion, abduction, fraud, deception, the abuse of power or a position of vulnerability or the giving or receiving of payments or benefits to achieve the consent of a person having control over another person or for the purpose of exploitation. Exploitation includes, at a minimum, the prostitution of others or other forms of sexual exploitation, forced labor or services, slavery or

Sex trafficking does not just mean across country boarders; it entails street prostitution as well. Street prostitution becomes trafficking when a pimp uses fraud, force, or coercion to preserve control over the person providing profitable sexual services and instigate the person to engage in sex acts. An estimated 293,000 American youths currently are at risk of becoming victims of sexual exploitation. The majority of these victims are runaway children who live on the streets. Most of the women described their path into the sex trade as a boyfriend transforming into a pimp. These

Another technique a pimp will use, to gain control of an underage girl to start a life of prostitution, is by acting as if they love them. That is, a pimp capitalizes on the “vulnerabilities, stereotypes, and insecurities” (Kennedy et al., 2007), of an under aged teenager, who may be a run away teenager and is living on the streets. Furthermore, he has capability to distort that girl 's common sense of moral beliefs with astounding speed. During this process, a pimp will entice her with kindness and gifts. Thereafter, the he makes certain that the she is fully aware of the expenses he spent on her. Once the teenager becomes deeply and totally in love with the him, he tells her that they are out of money and that they need more money to maintain their new lifestyle. Being fully aware of the amount of money that was spent on her, the girl acquires a sense of guilt for their circumstances, thus she becomes willing to help in any way she can. As a result thereof, the girl begins to prostitute herself to earn the much needed money for their home. (Kennedy et al., 2007)

Traffickers usually prey on vulnerable underage teenagers by luring their victims with false advertisements and promises. They seek to establish emotional connections with the victims and persuade them that the relationship is normal and healthy (Office on Trafficking in Persons, 2015). Traffickers use psychological techniques to isolate the victims from their social networks and maintain control. Similarly, they often introduce the victims to drugs and alcohol. Once the victims developed the addictions, the traffickers use it as a method of keeping the business and sex workers under control (Kabance, 2014).