2012 Trafficking In Persons Final Report.pdf - NCJTC Home

Trafficking in Persons symposium
Section One of this report discusses prior research on child sex and labor trafficking. Section Two discusses the
research design and methodology. Section Three presents Symposium findings and recommendations.
Prior Research
Estimates of human trafficking vary widely. Weiner and Hala (2008) reviewed over 100 published estimates
of human trafficking and found that only one of those figures was based on original data; the remaining 113
estimates were derived from unknown sources, other secondary research, or attributed to an agency. Estimates
for trafficking within the United States range from 14,000 to two million annually; international figures reach as
high as 27 million victims per year (Weiner and Hala, 2008; Gould, 2010; U.S. Department of State, 2012).
Child Sex Trafficking
Because of the unique hidden nature of the crime, child sex trafficking (CST) often goes unrecognized
and unidentified by media, average citizens, and even those agencies charged with protecting children, including
social service agencies, educational institutions, and law enforcement. Under federal law any person under the
age of 18 who is induced to perform a commercial sex act is deemed to be trafficked. The Trafficking Victims
Protection Act (TVPA) states that “any person under the age of 18 who performs a commercial sex act is considered
a victim of human trafficking regardless of whether force, fraud or coercion was present” (www.state.gov/
TVPA, 2012, para 3).
Juveniles are most at risk for sexual exploitation due to development issues, physical strength and limited
experiences and awareness of other options (Roe-Sepowitz, forthcoming). Silbert and Pines (1981) interviewed
200 prostituted juveniles and young adults who were or had been sexually exploited regarding their childhood
experiences and how those experiences may have influenced their pathways into prostitution. The majority of the
participants reported an absent parent (67%), physical abuse (62%), sexual abuse (60%), emotional abuse (70%),
extreme alcohol and drug use by a parent (89-92%) and witnessing domestic violence (22-51%).
Predictors of involvement in CST include: low socioeconomic status and economic need (Hwang & Bedford,
2004), early sexual behavior (Hwang & Bedford, 2004); sexual abuse (Finkelhor&Ormrod, 2004), childhood
physical abuse (El Bassel et al. 2001;), parental drug problems and substance use/abuse (Flowers, 2001;
Kramer & Berg, 2003), domestic violence (Pedersen &Hegna, 2003); chaotic and ineffective parenting (Seng,
1989; Weisberg, 1985), and running away as a teen and the resulting homelessness (Chesney-Lind & Shelden,
2004; Cusick, 2002; Erickson, et al., 2000; Flowers, 2001; Hwang & Bedford, 2004; and Pedersen & Hegna,
2003;). There does not appear to be a sole event or experience that leads directly to a child’s involvement in being
sexually exploited. It rather seems to be due to a combination of risk factors, which create a scenario leading to
sexually exploitation (Chesney-Lind & Sheldon, 2004).
Minors who are sexually exploited are actively recruited into commercial sexual exploitation by traffickers,
pimps, parents, relatives, and gang members to name just a few who are skilled at taking advantage of children’s
vulnerabilities (Roe-Sepowitz, forthcoming). These vulnerabilities can lead to periods of running away and
homelessness during which many youth exchange sex for survival (Green, Ennett & Ringwald, 1999). Homeless
youth become easy targets for traffickers due to their poor self-esteem (Brawn & Roe-Sepowitz, 2008).
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