January 4, 2021

From Twitter to The New York Times, passionate discussions about human trafficking continue to saturate political discussions. As an organization working to end sexual harm, CAASE is particularly invested in how these conversations address sex trafficking. We know it can be difficult to separate fact from fiction in the internet’s swirling tides, so we’re here with our allies to provide an expert answer to an urgent question: What is the truth about sex trafficking? 

To begin, it’s best to lay out a working definition. Sex trafficking is the recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of a person for the purposes of commercial sex that’s induced through force, fraud, or coercion, or if the individual is a minor. Lauren Hersh, National Director of World Without Exploitation, points out that this occurs “through an imbalanced power dynamic.” It’s also important to remember that human trafficking doesn’t always include sexual harm and that smuggling and trafficking are two different things.

With that in mind, here are seven need-to-know facts about sex trafficking:

1. Marginalized youth are at the highest risk.

All forms of trafficking primarily affect people who are already experiencing oppression and marginalization. “Poverty, abuse, and foster care are the three factors that increase the risk for sex trafficking specifically” says CAASE Policy Manager Madeleine Behr. “We know women and girls of color, LGBTQ+ youth, and immigrants are among the most vulnerable.”

2. Legislative change that recognizes the realities of the sex trade can decrease sex trafficking.

The majority of people who sell sex do so because they lack better options for survival. Yet they are disproportionately targeted by law enforcement. They face repeated arrests and penalties while sex buyers and traffickers—who cause immense harm—face few consequences. Our laws and those who enforce them need to recognize this reality.

The Equality Model, which includes supports for survivors who want to exit the sex trade while holding buyers, brothel owners, and pimps accountable has proven to reduce the harm. CAASE and our allies, including World Without Exploitation, fully support this approach and community-based resources that are survivor led. 

3. Survivors of sex trafficking don’t need to be rescued.

People who are vulnerable to sex trafficking don’t need rescuing. They need opportunities and social safety nets that allow them to survive outside the sex trade. Addressing poverty, abuse, and dysfunctions in the foster care system will get us a long way in reducing vulnerabilities to sex trafficking and other forms of sexual expoitation. As Behr puts it, “We should be supporting social safety nets, not a savior industry.”  

4. Poor immigration policies perpetuate systems of sex trafficking.

Immigrants are vulnerable to sex trafficking and those who are undocumented face even higher risks. They are often fleeing grave poverty and violence when they make the decision to leave. Desperate people sometimes pay someone to help them enter another country, resulting in the trap of “bondage debt.” 

“There are a lot of cases where someone is initially smuggled across a border and then put into sex trafficking in order to pay off a debt,” Behr says. “For example, they might be forced into a ‘massage parlour’ in order to work off what they owe. Often, they wind up making below minimum wage—if anything—and have no home life outside of work.” Addressing poor immigration polices would help lessen this vulnerability to sex trafficking. 

5. Sex trafficking survivors usually know their perpetrators.  

We’ve all seen Taken. In fact, that’s the very movie Hersh brings up when she talks about sex trafficking myths. “That’s not what we see day in and day out,” she says. “Conspiracy theories want you to believe that it’s about ‘saving the children,’ but the reality is that most survivors aren’t kidnapped, they aren’t just scooped up.” Typically, it looks a lot like prostitution from the outside. Hersh explains, social inequity and vulnerabilities lie at the root of the problem. 

Rebecca Bender backs up this information in her piece Trafficking Truths: A Myth-Busting Campaign. “While there are circumstances in which traffickers may physically hold the people they exploit, it is more common for them to use psychological means to date, lure, recruit, groom, and control their victims,” she writes. “It is important to know the most common tactics employed by traffickers so we can keep those we love safe and be advocates in our community.”

6. Young people need clear, fact-driven education—not fear-mongering. 

According to Hersh, successful intervention begins with the education of both adults and young people, helping them understand what fuels the sex trade and distinguishes sex trafficking from other forms of harm. We couldn’t agree more.

CAASE believes that empowerment, not intimidation, is the key to supporting youth. As reflected through our Prevention Education programs and their results, students grasp these concepts best through honest conversations that involve their peers and take into account the gendered dynamics of sexual harm. One size doesn’t fit all when it comes to education, and we take that to heart when working with youth. 

In the meantime, adults who want to begin conversations about sex trafficking at home can start with Bender’s five tips. 

7. YOU can help end sex trafficking 

In spite of the issue’s complexities, sex trafficking is 100% preventable. By further educating yourself about the vulnerabilities and realities of sexual exploitation, you can take a stand, become informed, and advocate within your community. Another great way to get started? Use your voice and action to hoist up CAASE’s work by supporting our policy initiatives and prevention programs! 

This piece was primarily authored by KT Hawbaker with editing by Hayley Forrestal.