how to stop sex trafficking essay

5 Essays On Human Trafficking You Can Access Freely Online

Every country faces specific human rights issues, but human trafficking is a problem for every place on the planet. Wherever there’s poverty, conflict, a lack of education, or political instability, vulnerable people are at risk. Human trafficking is the world’s fastest-growing criminal industry. Sexual exploitation brings in most of the billions of dollars of profit, but forced labor also generates wealth. The universality of human trafficking doesn’t negate the fact that the issue is multi-faceted and as a multitude of root causes . Certain countries are more dangerous than others and certain people groups are more vulnerable. To learn more about specific human trafficking issues and solutions, here are five essays you can read or download for free:

“Human Trafficking and Exploitation: A Global Health Concern”

By: Cathy Zimmerman and Ligia Kiss

While labor migration can be beneficial to workers and employers, it’s also a hotbed for exploitation. In this essay from PLOS, the authors argue that human trafficking and the exploitation of low-wage workers have significant negative health impacts. Because of the magnitude of human trafficking, health concerns constitute a public health problem. Thanks to certain business models that depend on disposable labor, exploitation is allowed to flourish while protections are weakened. The essay states that trafficking initiatives must focus on stopping exploitation within each stage of labor migration. This essay introduces a special collection from PLOS on human trafficking and health. It’s the first medical journal collection on this topic. It includes pieces on child sex trafficking in the United States and the slavery of sea workers in South East Asia. Cathy Zimmerman and Ligia Kiss, the guest editors and authors of the first essay, are from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

“Introducing The Slave Next Door”

By: Jen Birks and Alison Gardner

Published in a special issue of the Anti-Trafficking Review on public perceptions and responses to human trafficking, this essay focuses on Great Britain. According to the essay, there’s been a shift in what the public thinks about trafficking based on local reporting and anti-slavery campaigns. British communities are starting to realize how prevalent human trafficking is in their own backyards. The essay takes a closer look at the media and campaigns, how they’re representing cases, and what people are doing with the information. While specific to Britain, it’s a good example of how people can perceive trafficking within their borders.

Jen Birks is an Assistant Professor in media at the Department of Cultural, Media, and visual Studies at the University of Nottingham. Alison Gardner is at the School of Sociology and Social Policy at the University of Nottingham with a Nottingham Research Fellowship. She is part of the university’s Rights Lab.

“My Family’s Slave”

By: Alex Tizon

One of The Atlantic’s biggest stories of 2017, this essay tells a personal story of modern slavery. At 18-years old, Lola was given to the writer’s mother and when they moved to the United States, Lola came with them. On the outside, Tizon’s family was, in his words, “a poster family.” The truth was much darker. The essay sparked countless reader responses, including those of people who were once slaves themselves. Reading both the criticism and praise of the essay is just as valuable as the essay itself.

Alex Tizon died at age 57 years old before his essay was published. He had a successful career as a writer and reporter, sharing a Pulitzer Prize while a staff member at The Seattle Times. He also published a 2014 memoir Big Little Man: In Search of My Asian Self.

“Vietnam’s Human Trafficking Problem Is Too Big To Ignore”

By: Thoi Nguyen

In November 2019, 39 Vietnamese people were found dead in a truck container. They were identified as victims of a human trafficking ring. In Nguyen’s article, he explores the facts about the severity of human trafficking in Vietnam. For years, anti-slavery groups have warned the UK about a rise in trafficking, but it took a tragedy for people to start paying attention. Nguyen discusses who is vulnerable to trafficking, how trafficking functions, and Vietnam’s response.

Freelance journalist Thoi Nguyen is a member of Chatham House and a member of Amnesty International UK. In addition to human trafficking, he writes about the economy, finance, and foreign affairs. He’s a specialist in South East Asian geopolitics.

“History Repeats Itself: Some New Faces Behind Sex Trafficking Are More Familiar Than You Think”

By: Mary Graw Leary

This essay highlights how human trafficking isn’t only a criminal enterprise, it’s also an economic one. Leary looks specifically at how businesses that benefit (directly or indirectly) from slavery have always fought against efforts to end it. The essay focuses on government efforts to disrupt online sex trafficking and how companies are working to prevent that from happening. Human trafficking is a multi-billion dollar industry, so it makes sense that even legitimate businesses benefit. Knowing what these businesses are is essential to ending trafficking.

Mary Graw Leary is a former federal prosecutor and currently a professor of law at The Catholic University of America. The Chair of the United States Sentencing Commission’s Victim Advocacy Group, she’s an expert in exploitation, missing persons, human trafficking, and technology.

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About the author, emmaline soken-huberty.

Emmaline Soken-Huberty is a freelance writer based in Portland, Oregon. She started to become interested in human rights while attending college, eventually getting a concentration in human rights and humanitarianism. LGBTQ+ rights, women’s rights, and climate change are of special concern to her. In her spare time, she can be found reading or enjoying Oregon’s natural beauty with her husband and dog.

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20 Ways You Can Help Fight Human Trafficking

Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons

Anyone can join in the fight against human trafficking. Here are 20 ideas to consider.

• Learn the  indicators of human trafficking  on the TIP Office’s website or by taking a training.  Human trafficking awareness training is available for individuals, businesses, first responders, law enforcement, educators, and federal employees, among others.
• If you are in the United States and believe someone may be a victim of human trafficking, call the 24-hour  National Human Trafficking Hotline    at 1-888-373-7888 or report an emergency to law enforcement by calling 911. Trafficking victims, whether or not U.S. citizens, are eligible for services and immigration assistance.
• Be a conscientious and informed consumer. Find out more about who may have picked your tomatoes or made your clothes at  ResponsibleSourcingTool.org   , or check out the Department of  Labor’s List of Goods Produced by Child Labor or Forced Labor   . Encourage companies to take steps to prevent human trafficking in their supply chains and publish the information, including supplier or factory lists, for consumer awareness.
• Volunteer and support anti-trafficking efforts  in your community   .
• Meet with and/or write to  your local, state, and federal elected officials    to let them know you care about combating human trafficking and ask what they are doing to address it.
• Be well-informed. Set up a web alert to receive current human trafficking news. Also, check out  CNN’s Freedom Project    for more stories on the different forms of human trafficking around the world.
• Host an awareness-raising event to watch and discuss films about human trafficking. For example, learn how modern slavery exists today; watch an investigative documentary about sex trafficking; or discover how forced labor can affect global food supply chains. Alternatively, contact your local library and ask for assistance identifying an appropriate book and ask them to host the event.
• Organize a fundraiser and donate the proceeds to  an anti-trafficking organization   .
• Encourage your local schools or school district to include human trafficking in their curricula and to  develop protocols    for identifying and reporting a suspected case of human trafficking or responding to a potential victim.
• Use your social media platforms to raise awareness about human trafficking, using the following hashtags: #endtrafficking, #freedomfirst.
• Think about whether your workplace is trauma-informed and reach out to management or the Human Resources team to urge  implementation of trauma-informed business practices   .
• Become a mentor to a young person or someone in need. Traffickers often target people who are going through a difficult time or who lack strong support systems. As a mentor, you can be involved in new and positive experiences in that person’s life during a formative time.
• Parents and Caregivers:  Learn how human traffickers often target and recruit youth    and who to turn to for help in potentially dangerous situations. Host community conversations with parent teacher associations, law enforcement, schools, and community members regarding safeguarding children in your community.
• Youth:  Learn how to recognize traffickers’ recruitment tactics   , how to safely navigate out of a suspicious or uncomfortable situations, and how to reach out for help at any time.
• Faith-Based Communities   : Host awareness events and community forums with anti-trafficking leaders or collectively support a local victim service provider.
• Businesses: Provide jobs, internships, skills training, and other opportunities to trafficking survivors. Take steps to investigate and prevent trafficking in your supply chains by consulting the Responsible Sourcing Tool and  Comply Chain    to develop effective management systems to detect, prevent, and combat human trafficking.
• College Students:  Take action    on your campus. Join or establish a university club to raise awareness about human trafficking and initiate action throughout your local community. Consider doing one of your research papers on a topic concerning human trafficking. Request that human trafficking be included in university curricula.
• Health Care Providers:  Learn    how to identify the indicators of human trafficking and assist victims. With assistance from local anti-trafficking organizations, extend low-cost or free services to human trafficking victims. Resources from the Department of Health and Human Services can be found on their website.
• Journalists: The media plays an enormous role in shaping perceptions and guiding the public conversation about human trafficking. Seek out some media best practices on how to effectively and responsibly report stories on human trafficking.
• Attorneys: Offer human trafficking victims legal services, including support for those seeking benefits or special immigration status.  Resources    are available for attorneys representing victims of human trafficking.

U.S. Department of State

The lessons of 1989: freedom and our future.

10 Ways to Stop Human Trafficking

Human trafficking impacts millions of people around the world each day. However, there is hope in the fight against this pandemic. Here are 10 ways to stop human trafficking, starting with five actions you can take immediately.

• Raise Awareness – Protect Your Children

This is the first line of defense. When someone is made aware of the large-scale issue that is human trafficking, they are better equipped to combat it. An essential component for parents in protecting their children is educating them on the risks they may face online.

In 2020, the U.S. National Human Trafficking Hotline identified a 22% increase in online recruitment into trafficking schemes and reported the internet as the top recruitment location for all forms of trafficking.

OUR Rescue offers many educational resources to support increasing awareness, including warning signs to look for. Additionally, we offer a FREE PDF to educate parents and help them start essential conversations with their children.

• Encourage Policy Change

Everyone has a voice; use yours to spark needed changes at a local, national, or even international level. Policy changes can provide additional protection for victims, increased support for survivors, and more severe consequences for predators. There are many ways to encourage policy change:

• Write to elected officials
• Participate in peaceful demonstrations
• Share the facts
• Monitor Supply Chains

What do supply chains have to do with human trafficking? A lot. To turn a greater profit on their products, businesses will sometimes use forced labor or child labor. Consumers should always check to see where a product came from and how it was made before purchasing.

Everyone can make a difference by refusing to buy products that have been flagged by the Bureau of International Labor Affairs.

• Support Anti-Trafficking NGOs

There are many non-governmental organizations (NGOs) around the world that are dedicated to the fight against human trafficking, including OUR Rescue. Choosing to donate, volunteer, or support an NGO in any way can lead to a significant impact in the fight for a better world. Find one that you most closely connect with and support their efforts.

• Contact Authorities

If you see something that raises human trafficking red flags, contact the authorities immediately. This could be the needed difference in someone’s life.

The next five ways to stop human trafficking require collaboration between everyone, from law enforcement and NGOs, to citizens.

• Collaborate Across Borders

Human trafficking is an international issue. Because of this, collaboration between different countries, law enforcement agencies, and NGOs is required to help those in need, arrest predators, and protect the vulnerable. Without collaboration, the fight against human trafficking cannot be won.

• Empower Vulnerable Communities

To prevent trafficking at its root, financial investments in vulnerable communities are helpful. These investments will empower new educational and economic opportunities, reducing the risk of individuals being targeted by human traffickers.

• Target Demand

Demand is what fuels the $150 billion human trafficking industry. Without it, human trafficking would not happen. Early intervention is key to removing the demand that currently exists.

• Train Law Enforcement and First Responders

Specialized training equips law enforcement and first responders with the ability to recognize potential human trafficking situations and respond effectively. OUR Rescue offers these trainings , increasing the knowledge and expanding the skillsets of those on the frontlines in the fight to end human trafficking.

• Support Survivors

Services that support human trafficking survivors are critical. Without this support, individuals are at a higher risk of being re-trafficked. Through Survivor Care , OUR Rescue helps provide survivors with the resources necessary to heal after suffering unimaginable traumas. Support services for survivors include:

• Safe housing
• Medical & psychological care
• Legal assistance
• Job training

About OUR Rescue

We lead the fight against child sexual exploitation and human trafficking worldwide.

Our work spans the globe as we assist law enforcement in rescue efforts and help provide survivor care to all those affected. While we prioritize children, we work to empower the liberation of anyone suffering at the hands of those looking to sexually exploit. We offer vital resources to authorities around the world and work tirelessly to raise awareness and meet survivors on their healing journey.

10 Ways to Stop Human Trafficking FAQs

How can I personally get involved in the fight against human trafficking, even if I’m not part of an organization?

Raise awareness, encourage policy change, monitor supply chains, support anti-trafficking NGOs, and contact authorities if you see something suspicious.

Why should I closely monitor what I buy?

If you don’t, you could be supporting human trafficking. Businesses will sometimes use forced labor or child labor to turn a greater profit on their products. Always check to see where a product came from and how it was made before making a purchase.

Review products that have been flagged by the Bureau of International Labor Affairs.

What factors can lead to a human trafficking survivor getting re-trafficked?

A lack of support services like safe housing, medical & psychological care, legal assistance, and job training.

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A Way to Spot, Report, and Prevent Sex Trafficking

A free online program teaches ordinary individuals how to help fight trafficking.

Posted September 18, 2021 | Reviewed by Hara Estroff Marano

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• An online program provides information that can help prevent sex trafficking.
• It teaches people how to recognize the signs of sex trafficking—which thrives in the U.S..
• it's important to know what to do—and what not to do—when sex trafficking is suspected.

Decent people the world over are appalled when they learn that slavery exists today. Maybe they’ve heard the UN figure that more than 40 million people are trapped in slavery. Maybe they’ve learned that human trafficking is the fastest growing criminal enterprise in the world.

Typically when a person learns these facts, they want to do something to combat this crime .

What can individuals do?

There's a free online program that seeks to answer this question. Called OnWatch, created by Jake Neeley and colleagues from the Malouf Foundation and the Safe House Project, it consists of 10 lessons that teach people how to identify likely victims of trafficking.

The program—whose designers include survivors of sex -trafficking—is designed to enable people to spot, report, and prevent sex trafficking where they live, work, and play. "We’re survivor-led, explains Neeley. “Every part of the training and modules come from lived experience. Survivors are a critical part of the video scripts, the postproduction, and all the meetings for planning and producing the lessons. It’s a huge differentiator.”

Brittany Dunn, executive director of OnWatch and COO of Safe House Project, encourages everyone to take the time to go through the different modules. “After someone has spent an hour with OnWatch, they realize that they can have an impact. It puts power back in people’s hands.”

What People Learn

For starters, Kristi Wells, Safe House Project CEO, let’s people know that sex trafficking isn’t something that happens just in some place far away. According to the US State Department, the US is among the top 3 nations for sex trafficking.

Another sobering statistic: Just 1% of sex trafficking victims are identified. Wells contends that signs of sex trafficking are all around, and that if ordinary individuals learn what they are, more survivors will be recognized and can begin their healing journey.

Signs that a person might be a trafficking victim include:

1. Disassociation from the world around them

2. Mental health disorders like PTSD

3. Drug or alcohol dependence

4. Hypersexualized behavior or dress that’s inappropriate for the time of year

5. Overly protective of phone or has two phones

6. Extreme reactions to people or experiences

7. Tattoos or branding

8. Physical abuse

9. Unhealthy relationship with apparent abuser

10. Drastic shift in behavior or isolating themselves from former friends.

What to Do If Sex Trafficking Is Suspected

The program warns that if someone sees signs of sex trafficking, “Do not talk to, approach or engage a suspected trafficker. This could present significant risk of severe beatings or even death for the victims being trafficked. It could also put you in danger if the trafficker feels you are a threat to their business.”

An appropriate response is to call the National Human Trafficking hotline at 1 888 373 7888. Or text the word Help to BeFree. However, if a person witnesses an active trafficking situation, they should call 911 to alert law enforcement.

What about a False Alarm?

Many times a situation looks suspicious, but a person just isn’t sure. What to do?

“You’re never going to be at fault for reporting a trafficking situation,” says Neeley. And as Sean Reyes, Utah’s Attorney General says, “We would rather go through 10 cases and have all 10 of them not turn out to be human trafficking than miss one case.”

OnWatch is not asking people to be superheroes who break down a bad guy’s door. Law enforcement has the training for that.

What people really can do is spot and report trafficking. It takes only an hour to learn enough to be able to do that. The more people are on watch against trafficking, the fewer people will be trapped in slavery.

Malouf Foundation

Project Safe House

Author and speaker Mitzi Perdue is an 81-year-old war correspondent who writes about Ukraine. Most recently she authored Relentles s, a biography of Mark Victor Hansen, coauthor of Chicken Soup for the Soul .

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I Was Trafficked as a Teen. Here’s What I Want People to Understand

W hen I talk about being trafficked as a teenager, people ask two questions: How did it happen, and how did nobody know it happened? For most of my life, these conversations happened with the few friends, and then recently it happened more frequently after the release of my novel, The Lookback Window , which is about recovering from sex trafficking and pursuing justice in the wake of New York’s Child Victims Act. Sex trafficking isn’t dinner conversation, and the instances where it makes the news often revolve around paranoid fantasies of the alt-right. Recently, this manifested as Sound of Freedom , the terrible, white savior film starring Jim Caviezel, which doubles as a biopic of Tim Ballard and a false charity.

Tim Ballard is a conservative multi-hyphenate who created Operation Underground Railroad, an anti-child trafficking organization, after witnessing the horrific commercial sex trade from his work in the Department of Homeland Services’ Internet Crimes Against Children task force. This is the subject of the film, his heroic origin story. Nowhere in this biopic do you ever understand anything, really, but the notes of the film feel familiar enough, as if they have been recycled from another story, another fiction, another con. In October 2023, Ballard was accused of grooming and sexually harassing women, allegedly using his work with Operation Underground Railroad as a narrative cover, asking women how far they would go to help the cause. Would they pose as his wife, sleep with him, do what it takes to save the children?

At some point in the film, Caviezel says, “Nobody cares.” The dominant narrative has been that nobody cares because no one understands how the practice exists around them. It’s a lonely feeling and a sentiment that I have felt at times in my recovery. Media like this doesn’t do much but exacerbate this feeling. It preys on the right’s xenophobia, conspiracists, and religious fanaticism under the guise of saving the children.

But the problem is that the international commercial sex trade doesn’t just exist—it persists. In fact, it lives here, in America, all around us. And by sharing what happened to me, I hope that other victims will have an easier time speaking up and advocating for justice.

When I was 14, I got a message on MySpace from a 19-year-old who also lived in my same city in Westchester, telling me that he thought I was attractive. He lived across the street from my high school and asked if I wanted to go on a date. I didn’t respond at first, but I showed a friend of mine the message, and she told me she knew him. He was a family friend. I was lonely, had a difficult relationship with my parents, and was closeted. So, I responded to the message. 

When we met, he kissed me on the lips, asked my age, and then asked if I had ever smoked a blunt. I got so high I thought I was having a stroke. He asked me to be his boyfriend and then raped me in his bedroom and told me he loved me. When I was bleeding after, he said the same thing happened to him the first time he had sex, and that it was normal to bleed. I trusted him.

He’s what’s known as a “Romeo,” a pimp who lures a vulnerable person using the structure of a romantic relationship. He would give me a ring to wear, promising to marry me when I turned 18, too. He picked out a wedding date and wrote it on his wall. I don’t have many pictures from that era because my stomach turns if I’m reminded of how young I really looked, knowing what happened to me. But my family took a trip to Colorado that year and that friend who knew my rapist came along. She took pictures of the two of us, and if you look at my hand you could see the ring. I thought my boyfriend loved me.

There are other types of pimps: gorilla pimps whose main method of control is violence, CEO pimps who promise money, and familial pimps who sell the people in their family. Nothing is ever so separate, and when you’re being groomed you don’t realize what’s happening to you. He started out by telling stories of what he had done when he had been my age. They started out as cool, funny stories of hooking up with older men. The drugs he had done. Fights he had been in. That he had burned down part of his house when he was younger. (Later, after years had passed, I found out that he had been in-and-out of jail for various assaults.) He came up with a story that he was 16, if anyone asked, and that I couldn’t tell anyone about us or he could go to jail, and if I were talking about him to use a fake name.

Read More: She Survived Sex Trafficking. Now She Wants to Show Other Women a Way Out

I would skip school and walk to his house. On the weekends, I would tell my parents I was sleeping over at a different friend’s place, where he would get me high or drunk, and then post the ads on Craigslist with naked pictures of me that he had taken. Old men would reply and come over, give him money or drugs or both, and rape me in his bedroom. Some had wedding rings, some would force other drugs into me, and all of them asked how old I was. Sometimes he would drive me to their house. He would give me pills to calm me down the next day, buy me food, tell me details about the wedding. He would give me hickeys and teach me how to cover up bruises, and then by the time the older men hurt me I knew how to cover up bruises on my own. He bought me jockstraps and short shorts, and he had once casually joked about taking child porn in conversation to my friend who came to Colorado. I only know this detail because when I eventually went to the police, that friend had written it down in her diary, which was dated, and given over to the detective.

I failed classes and missed so much school my parents were alerted. I was rail thin, depressed, and was put on benzos by a psychiatrist. I was caught hanging out with this other older guy with a fake name. I wore very short shorts, tight shirts, and fell asleep during the day since I could barely sleep at night. I didn’t have many friends. All of these are considered signs that point to a risk factor.

He “broke up” with me when I was 17. I stopped looking as young as I once looked. No longer did I have braces. I went through puberty. One of the last times I saw the man who pimped me out, I told him how much he had hurt me and that I thought about going to the police. He threw my phone against the wall, beat me, and warned me what would happen if I ever told anyone. I overdosed on pills later that year, wanting to end the panic attacks, depression, and fear, but I was too young to know what had happened to me—that I was dealing with complex PTSD, and the extent of the violence.

The day after I graduated high school, I moved to San Diego without knowing anyone because I could not stomach being near the scene of the crimes. It was the farthest place away I could find. I have been in recovery for almost two decades now, and finally got the proper help I needed once I started telling people what happened. I was referred to the Crime Victims Treatment Center, a place where I could actually learn how to deal with living as someone who had once been trafficked. I could have had an easier time had I spoken more about what happened, had I known there are real treatments, had I not only thought of trafficking as something that happens far away from New York. If I had the language for what happened to me earlier, I could have saved myself years of private shame and self-destruction.

What is the sound of freedom? It’s what wakes my husband in the middle of the night as I scream in my sleep, 17 years later, and the softness of his voice telling me I’m safe. Or a notification from Instagram as a stranger who read my book tells me: “I was also trafficked as a teenager and our stories are super similar.” And the crowd asking questions about vengeance and justice at Strand Books where I talk with a friend about how angry I am and the solace I’ve found in being open. The practice of liberation requires creating room for the speech of victims. When I finish my events, I have a moment of silence for others to raise their hands, to talk after the event, to send a message. You are free to say what you need.

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Human Trafficking: Process, Causes and Effects Analytical Essay

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Introduction

The trafficking process, causes of human trafficking, effects of human trafficking, works cited.

Human trafficking can be described as an illegal trade that deals with the selling and buying of human beings just like other kinds of trade. The human being are bought and sold for the purposes of forced labor or commercial sex (Strickland, 1). Human trafficking is a new term for slave trade and the victims are either sold by their family members or scrupulous business people who want to get money for the desire of being wealthy.

After drugs and arm dealing human trafficking comes third in international crime rankings worldwide. This kind of trade involving human beings is illegal but people use dubious means to continue their dealings. It is very hurting to know that some corrupt law enforcement authorities who are supposed to protect the general public against such inhuman practices are the same people involved.

The enslaved people who may also be referred to as the victim are trafficked by being deprived their basic human rights. They are forced or enticed by being given false promises which are never fulfilled by the traffickers (Murphy, 1). They are promised good employment opportunities in neighboring countries but when they get there they are they are forced to work in brothels while others work in factories and agricultural farms.

The good salaries they had been promised they are no longer given and incase they are paid it is either too little to meet their needs or they are offered travel documents by corrupt law enforcement authorities and on arrival to their destination their travel documents taken away from them.

In this case they are forced to work there and do not have the necessary documents required to travel back to their homes in case of maltreatment. Likewise women and young girls are assured jobs that are well paying but on arrival to the Promised Land things are totally different.

They are forced to prostitution or sex trade where the victims are sexually harassed and the traffickers paid money the abuse. To make the matters worse they are abused and the money goes to the pockets of these greedy people as they are left empty handed after all the humiliation they go through. The victims are deprived the chance of going back to their homes or even communicating with their loved ones and relatives.

The traffickers take advantage of the high levels of poverty among people. It is quite obvious that a poor person is willing and ready to do anything for them to get some money to maintain themselves (Laner, 1). Others also rent out a person’s labor for them to be able to repay a loan or debt.

Ignorance or lack of awareness also causes human trafficking. People travel across borders looking for greener pasture with little or no knowledge about traffickers and their operations. Such kinds of people are usually prone to falling victims of this illegal and exploitive kind of business activity (Strickland, 1).

Other people are enticed by the material expectations. They desire high living standards and consumer products that are out of their reach. They envy what they see from others and wish them too were in the same social status with those they envy. This desire for achieving what they don’t have renders them vulnerable and hence traffickers take advantage of such people.

People with very little or no proper level of education are standing higher risk of being trafficked. This group of people has very few employment opportunities due to their limited education. They thereby migrate to search for employment opportunities and that is when they get trafficked and exploited.

Corrupt and weak law enforcement authorities play a major role in the lucrative trade of human beings (Hart, 20). Immigration and other law enforcement authorities are paid by the traffickers to overlook these criminal activities which it is their duty to fight such vices by protecting innocent human beings.

The authorities may also collude with the traffickers by providing delusive information on their travel documents and other identification documents to migrant workers leaving them defenseless to trafficking. In circumstances when such incidences of human trafficking are reported to the public administrators little or no action is taken. Instead if the culprits being arrested and charged in court they bribe the law enforcers and walk away scot free.

Young girls and women are lured into marriage by the traffickers who pretend to be tourist (Kloer, 2). They then promise them to take them to their countries to live with them there. On arrival to the foreign land they are abandoned in brothels to work as sex slaves and threatened not to leave. The military is also well known for sexual abuse in areas where they are sent to serve the public during times of unrest.

This activity results in threat to human health. The victims are exposed to high risks of diseases such as HIV/AIDS and other STDs (Murphy, 2). This does not only affect the victims but also spreads to the sex clients and their spouses and the children given birth thereafter. For those victims that are taken into forced labour may also suffer from diseases caused by overworking and improper living conditions.

Deprivation of the basic human rights is another problem the victims face. They live in conditions in which none of them likes to be associated with. They are denied the rights of communication with their relatives and other people. They also do not enjoy their work because they are forced to do it and that was not the work they had been promised earlier on. These people would work as beasts of burden where they worked beyond the normal working hours and the working conditions very severe.

Many victims lack trust and confidence in the law enforcement authority. They believe they are serving in slavery because of their weak and corrupt laws in their countries (Delta, 1). What hurt the victims most was the fact that the same people in charge of protecting their lives and ensuring that such incidences do not happen to them are the involved in the dealings.

Some people suffer mentally by being traumatized after the humiliation they go through in the name of the good jobs they had been promised. The victims also have the fear of being unsafe around everyone they come across. Those who manage to get their freedom tend to think that all people around them can do the same to them.

In a nutshell human trafficking is a vice which should be done away with in our societies. To put an end to this wicked behavior it is a collective responsibility for the country as a whole. The government should start by punishing the law authorities that have been participating in the exercise and put in place tough repercussions for those found guilty.

The general public should also be eliminated about the effects of being involved and stop being so desperate in search for employment opportunities. If all this is done people will live in a friendly environment where such activities are a thing of the past.

Delta, S. (2010). Human Trafficking Facts. Web.

Hart, J. Human Trafficking . The Rosen Publishing Group, Inc. New York, 2009.

Kloer, A. (2006). End Human Trafficking. Web.

Laner, S. (2005). Human Trafficking. Web.

Murphy, S. (2006) Human Trafficking and Immigrant Smuggling . Web.

Strickland, D. (2008). Human Trafficking. Web.

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Essay on Human Trafficking

Students are often asked to write an essay on Human Trafficking in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Human Trafficking

Understanding human trafficking.

Human trafficking is a serious global issue. It involves the illegal trade of people for exploitation or commercial gain. Victims are often lured with false promises of well-paying jobs or manipulated by people they trust.

Types of Human Trafficking

The main types of human trafficking are forced labor, sex trafficking, and child trafficking. Forced labor involves making people work against their will. Sex trafficking involves forcing victims into sexual exploitation. Child trafficking includes all these forms but involves children.

Preventing Human Trafficking

To prevent human trafficking, we must raise awareness about its reality. Educating people about its signs and consequences can help prevent it. Additionally, supporting victim services is crucial.

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250 Words Essay on Human Trafficking

Human trafficking, a grave violation of human rights, is a complex issue that has plagued societies globally. It is a form of modern-day slavery, where individuals are exploited through force, fraud, or coercion for various purposes such as forced labor, sexual exploitation, or organ trafficking.

The Scale of the Problem

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) reports that human trafficking is the third most profitable crime after drug trafficking and arms smuggling. This illicit trade thrives due to poverty, political instability, armed conflict, and corruption, affecting millions of victims, predominantly women and children.

Measures to Combat Human Trafficking

Addressing human trafficking requires a multi-faceted approach. Legal measures, such as strict laws and penalties, are crucial. The Palermo Protocol, adopted by the UN, provides a framework for criminalizing trafficking, protecting victims, and promoting cooperation among states.

The Role of Education and Awareness

Education and awareness play a pivotal role in combating human trafficking. By informing communities about the tactics used by traffickers and the rights of individuals, we can empower potential victims to protect themselves.

Human trafficking is a pressing issue that demands global attention and action. Through a combination of legal measures, education, and international cooperation, we can work towards eradicating this heinous crime and safeguarding human dignity.

500 Words Essay on Human Trafficking

Introduction to human trafficking.

Human trafficking, a grave violation of human rights, is a contemporary global issue that transcends borders, cultures, and economies. It is a multi-billion dollar criminal industry that enslaves nearly 25 million people around the world. This heinous crime involves the illegal trade of people for exploitation or commercial gain and is often referred to as ‘modern-day slavery’.

The Mechanics of Human Trafficking

Human trafficking operates on the principles of supply and demand. The demand for cheap labor, sexual services, and certain criminal activities fuels this illicit trade. The supply side, however, is driven by factors such as poverty, lack of education, gender discrimination, armed conflict, and political instability. Traffickers exploit these vulnerabilities to lure victims with false promises of employment, education, or a better life.

Forms of Human Trafficking

Human trafficking manifests in various forms, including forced labor, sex trafficking, child labor, and organ trafficking. Forced labor, also known as involuntary servitude, is the biggest sector of trafficking in the world. Sex trafficking victims are often involved in prostitution, pornography, or sex tourism. Child trafficking, another gruesome form, involves the exploitation of children in labor, soldiering, or sexual slavery. Organ trafficking, a lesser-known form, involves the illegal trade of organs.

Impacts of Human Trafficking

The impacts of human trafficking are devastating and far-reaching. Victims often suffer physical and emotional abuse, rape, threats, and even death. Additionally, they often face long-term psychological trauma, disease, unwanted pregnancy, malnutrition, social ostracism, and death. The societal implications include the reinforcement of gender and social inequalities, perpetuation of poverty, and undermining of public health, safety, and security.

Preventing human trafficking requires a comprehensive, multi-faceted approach. It involves strengthening laws and regulations, enhancing victim identification and protection, promoting awareness and education, and fostering international cooperation. Governments, non-governmental organizations, and individuals all have crucial roles to play in this fight against human trafficking.

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Good Argumentative Essay Topics on Human Trafficking with Prompts

• Bob Cardens
• August 1, 2022
• Essay Topics and Ideas , Nursing

Human Trafficking is a controversial and often underserved topic. It’s also an important one. There are many argumentative essay topics on human trafficking you could choose to write about. Here are some ideas to get you started.

• Can abolishing Sex Work help reduce human trafficking cases Essay prompt: Sex work should be abolished but with consideration to the impact it has on vulnerable groups, particularly women. However, I do not think it would end human trafficking but it will surely contribute to its reduction. Sex work is one of the biggest contributors to human trafficking.
• Sex trafficking and comparing it to a book called “Oryx and Crake” Essay prompt: Sex trafficking is a violation of human rights. Human trafficking is a serious crime. Sex trafficking involves activities like sex exploitation and sex slavery. The consent of a person cannot be relevant if it was obtained by coercion, fraud, or deception.

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• Combating Human Trafficking Through Facial Recognition Essay prompt: Trafficking in persons continues to be a growing global health issue. Often, people do not entirely understand the circumstances regarding why people become trafficking victims.
• Providing Better Services for Human Trafficking Survivors Essay prompt: Human trafficking is a major challenge facing society today. Improving coordination among all entities involved, including local and federal enforcement, health care, social services, and non-governmental organizations will be integral to improving the outcomes for survivors of the vice.
• Briefing Paper Topic Proposal: Human Trafficking Essay prompt: Women and children are particularly vulnerable to human trafficking, with mean, purpose, and the act itself important ingredients to determine human trafficking…
• Human Trafficking and Nurse’s Understanding Essay prompt: Human trafficking is a commercial activity involving human beings as the prime goods for forced labor, sexual motives, and removal of body organs such as ova in females. The act is illegal since it has some negative consequences on the psychological, health, safety, and violation of human rights.
• Human Trafficking and its Impacts on the Health Care Industry Essay prompt: Globalization and the international political economy have resulted in a rapid interconnection between the nations therein. Nowadays, countries are so interconnected that the world has become more like one global village. It has made life more convenient and business more expansive.
• Law Essay: Human Trafficking and Crimes Against Children Essay prompt: Human Trafficking and Crimes Against Children. Identify and Discuss the Process, Means, And Ends of Human Trafficking. (Argumentative Essay Topics on Human Trafficking)
• Sex Trafficking and Its Reporting Essay prompt: Despite advancements in technology and tight security across the borders of North American countries, sex trafficking remains rampant. In the United States alone, it is estimated that more than 15,000 foreigners are trafficked every year.

Opinion Ideas for Writing/Opinion Essay Topics – Writing Prompts for Opinion| Structure | How to Write

• Worldwide Database on Human Trafficking. Law Coursework Essay prompt: The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) is responsible for fighting against international crime, human and drug trafficking.

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MSU Extension

What can we do to prevent human trafficking.

Emily Proctor <[email protected]> , Michigan State University Extension - November 08, 2017

Ways you can get involved.

Human Trafficking continues to be a global issue, affecting millions of people on an annual basis.  According to the Department of Homeland Security , “Human trafficking is a form of   modern-day slavery, and involves the use of force, fraud, or coercion to exploit human beings for some type of labor or commercial sex purpose. Every year, millions of men, women and children worldwide—including in the United States—are victims of human trafficking.” Human trafficking continues to be one the most lucrative forms of business in the world. However, more non-government, grassroots efforts, not-for profits, governments, and advocacy agencies are taking stronger stances against the international business of human trafficking. 

Even though this market spreads far and wide, there are many who are taking a stand and increasing efforts to assist victims and their loved ones who find themselves involved in this serious and often times life-threatening situation. So, how do you get involved and make a difference? Here are a few suggestions :

• Buy responsibly – Fair Trade items
• Work on “understanding” of victim-centered approach and have a brown bag lunch to fully discuss what this means and what is missing from this model to stop human trafficking
• Volunteer at a local shelter, mentor in reading programs
• Know the indicators or red flags of potential labor and sexual trafficking victims
• Program the national hotline number and give this number to 5 other people for them to program in their phones…1-888-3737-888
• If you suspect someone is being trafficked, call the hot-line or your local police agency
• Consider becoming a foster parent
• Being a voice—speak up for those who have no voice

There are also films, books, social media and articles to review such as:

• Finding Dawn (2006)
• Michigan Human Trafficking Task Force facebook page
• PBS Series on Human Trafficking
• The CNN Freedom Project Ending Modern-Day Slavery
• Child Slaves - Slavery: A 21st Century Evil (YouTube)
• The Beginning and End of Rape: Confronting Sexual Violence in Native America (2015), Author: Sarah Deer
• Share the Global Modern Slavery Directory - The Directory contains over 1,700 organizations in 174 countries to assist in providing a safety net for victims.

The agencies, organizations, and resources discussed in the article represent just a handful of services and resources offered to human trafficking victims and the communities who wish to prevent and stop the occurrence of human trafficking. Even though there has been an increase in programs focused on services, there continues to be the need for more policies, procedures, programs, services, laws and statutes that support victims of human trafficking. To learn more about MSUE Government and Public Policy and Michigan Tribal Governance programs please contact Emily Proctor, Tribal Extension Educator with questions or comments at (231)-439-8927 or [email protected].

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension . For more information, visit https://extension.msu.edu . To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit https://extension.msu.edu/newsletters . To contact an expert in your area, visit https://extension.msu.edu/experts , or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).

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5 Ways We Can Work Together to Prevent Human Trafficking

Disasters disrupt lives and can often make people feel like they have no one to turn to and nowhere to go. These situations and feelings can make people more vulnerable to exploitation, including human trafficking.

Human trafficking is when people use force, fraud or coercion to obtain some type of labor or commercial sex act. Every year, millions of men, women and children are trafficked worldwide. Human traffickers use disaster situations to take advantage of vulnerable survivors. According to the Administration for Children and Families , incidents of human trafficking have been reported after numerous disasters, including hurricanes Katrina, Irma and Harvey.

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Disaster can leave people separated from family and friends, displaced from their home, unable to earn an income, without transportation, and severed from support services.  Specific communities and individuals may be at a higher risk of trafficking, such as those with physical, emotional or cognitive impairments, LGBTQI+, low income, or survivors of gender-based violence .

The emergency management community, as well as community and faith-based leadership, plays an important role in combating these dangers and helping people in times of disaster and distress. Preventing human trafficking is a team effort that can make a big difference during recovery efforts.

Here are five ways we can work together to prevent human trafficking:

• Take a stand and wear blue. January 11 is Human Trafficking Awareness Day. Wear blue to help spread awareness. Learn more about the campaign at on the #WearBlueDay DHS website.  
• Understand the risk factors . To prevent individuals from being exploited, it’s important to recognize the risk factors and indicators of human trafficking. You should seek to better understand the victim’s perspective. One way to do this is by using the Blue Campaign Resources | Homeland Security (dhs.gov) which includes, a faith-based community toolkit , available in English and Spanish .  
• Know what to do and who to contact to report it. Share resources with your community at local events and public gatherings. You can report suspected human trafficking to federal law enforcement by calling 1-866-347-2423. You can get help from the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.  
• Expand awareness in your community .  Educate yourself and your faith community on what human trafficking is and how to recognize the signs of exploitation of another person. This is the first step in identifying victims and can help save a life. Learn more on the Blue Campaign website .    
• Understand how vulnerable communities are impacted . Not every person has equal access to the resources they need. You can help make sure they do. If you don’t know where to start, watch this recorded webinar: Addressing Racial Equity in Communities Vulnerable to Human Trafficking . You can also contact FEMA’s Office of Equal Rights for additional information on how to address inequalities.

Emergency managers, first responders, disaster volunteers and community leaders are in unique positions to play a vital role in human trafficking prevention after disasters. Following these steps is a good start and could help protect survivors and reach the people who most need help. Visit the DHS Blue Campaign website for more information on human trafficking and resources available for your community. 

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Prevention, Prosection and Protection - Human Trafficking

About the author, ruth dearnley.

How much would you pay for a winter coat? How much would you pay for the child that made it?

Fifty years ago, the abomination of slavery seemed like a thing of the past. But history has a way of repeating itself. Today, we find that human slavery is once again a sickening reality. At this moment, men, women and children are being trafficked and exploited all over the world: 2.4 million have been trafficked into forced labour worldwide of these, 600,000 to 800,000 are trafficked across borders each year and 12,000 children are working as slaves on cocoa plantations in West Africa. It is impossible to ever reach a consensus on the true scale of the problem but, regardless of the figures, what matters is that human trafficking is big and getting bigger. What matters is that every number represents a human life destroyed. It is happening on every continent and in almost every country: whether the place we live is a source, destination or transit point for trafficking, none of us can claim to be wholly unaffected by this crime.

As the extent of human trafficking is recognized, a number of approaches to tackling it have been developed. Stop the Traffik is one such approach. Born out of witnessing first-hand the effects of human trafficking, we started out in 2006 as an informal coalition dedicated to raising awareness of trafficking and generating the political will necessary to stop it.

During our short existence we have found that one of the biggest impediments to anti-trafficking efforts is a lack of understanding of the issue. Trafficking, and consequently, the measures taken to combat it, is often entangled with people smuggling, immigration and asylum, prostitution and other forms of organized crime. It must be emphasized that the essence of trafficking is the forced exploitation of individuals by those in the position to exert power over them. While moving people is an intrinsic part of trafficking, this may occur within as well as across borders, and it may take a variety of forms. If they have been tricked or deceived, a person may even willingly transport themselves into a situation of exploitation. But unlike those who pay to be smuggled into another country, victims of trafficking have no prospect of making a new life for themselves.

International trafficking will inevitably raise issues of immigration, but its victims cannot simply be treated as illegal migrants, nor can the efforts to tackle it be reduced to stricter border controls. We can find sex trafficking abhorrent without taking a particular stance against prostitution, and policies to reduce or control the sex industry are just one approach to ending the trade of human flesh. Finally, despite the similarities between the organized trafficking of drugs, arms and humans, which may require comparable police tactics to combat, we commit a grave injustice against the victims of human slavery if we reduce them in our minds to the status of commodities.

The first step to preventing human trafficking and prosecuting the traffickers is therefore to recognize the complexity of the crime which cannot be tackled in a vacuum. Anti-trafficking strategies have to be embedded in every policy area, from improving female education in source countries so that girls are less vulnerable to trafficking, to increasing police pay in destination countries so that officers are less susceptible to bribery. We cannot allow ourselves to marginalize the issue of trafficking, viewing it as something that can be ended with a few extra taskforces or dedicated units. We need everyone to be aware of how it affects them, and what they can do to stop it. Laudable efforts in this direction have already been made. In 2000, the United Nations launched the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, which established a victim-centred approach to trafficking. It has since been signed by 177 countries. In 2005, the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings marked a step towards greater cooperation and dedication within Europe.

But more needs to be done. Many people still do not know what trafficking is, or do not care. We are working to change that, at every level of society. In February 2008 we delivered 1.5 million signatures to the UN from people calling for an end to human trafficking; as a result, our founder Steve Chalke was appointed UN.GIFT Special Advisor on Community Action against Human Trafficking. Since then we have continued to build on our grassroots support, firm in the belief that trafficking cannot be stopped by international conventions alone. Our focus is currently geared towards three key campaigns.

First is Start Freedom, our dynamic new global project run in conjunction with the UN that aims to engage and raise awareness among young people, helping them learn about the issues surrounding human trafficking. The fact that over half of all victims of human trafficking are under 18 empowers young people to realize the importance of their potential to prevent this illicit trade. Already we've had stories from source, transit and destination countries such as Greece, Mexico and Nepal, about how young &not;people, schools, faith groups and &not;communities are engaging with Start Freedom. Communities are at the heart of our campaigns. During Freedom Week in March 2010, young people will connect, engage and share in their communities varied and creative ways to mark their objection to human trafficking.

Our other key project at the moment is Active Communities against Trafficking (ACT), which aims to bring together members of a community under the umbrella of an ACT group. We equip these groups with an abundance of resources to help them identify trafficking, understand how it affects local communities, and learn how to help prevent its continuation. They can do this by asking questions about missing children and by forming connections with local authorities, professionals and community leaders. We believe trafficking starts in a community, and can be stopped by a community, and as the ACT project takes hold across countries, we are witnessing the profile of trafficking being raised, bringing together a diversity of people to help combat human trafficking in its various guises. The second stage of ACT, currently being piloted, will be launched in 2010. It is essentially a community research project that aims to gather information about human trafficking for sexual exploitation in local communities. This project has strong potential to contribute immensely to our key objectives: prevention of trafficking, prosecution of traffickers and protection of victims.

A third central focus is our Chocolate Campaign, which is informed by the fact that more than a third of the world's cocoa comes from Côte d'Ivoire, where child trafficking and forced labour has been widely documented and acknowledged by international initiatives, such as the International Cocoa Initiative. Since international deadlines for eradicating child trafficking were missed by manufacturers, we decided to campaign ourselves by trying to get the big chocolate manufacturers to tell us that their products are "traffik free". Up until very recently, most of them could not guarantee this -- quite simply because their supply chains were not free of child slavery. Our Chocolate Campaign encourages people to help spread awareness about child trafficking in the cocoa industry, and to pressurize big chocolate manufacturers to commit to certifications, such as Fair Trade or Rainforest Alliance, which are currently the best guarantees we have to indicate that products are "traffik free". Our campaign strategy relies on our numerous grassroots supporters: people host Fair Trade Chocolate Fondue fundraisers, send letters and make phone calls to manufacturers, boycott brands until they become Fair Trade, and hold awareness-raising events to inform and empower others to make ethical decisions. Our successes so far have been fantastic: Cadbury committed to a Fair Trade Dairy Milk, and Mars promised to certify the Galaxy bar with the Rainforest Alliance by 2010, and their whole range by 2020. Within a few weeks of targeting Nestlé to commit to a fair trade Kit Kat, we got news that they too were following suit in the United Kingdom by introducing a Fairtrade four-finger Kit Kat in January. This is a start, but it is nowhere near the end.

Only with a concerted effort by governments, private companies, non-governmental organizations, and above all communities, can we hope to end the horror of human trafficking. Stop the Traffik has developed into an independent charity with over 1,500 member organizations and hundreds of thousands of individuals around the world who refuse to tolerate the existence of slavery in the twenty-first century.

People are talking, communities are rising, global networks are being forged and governments are responding to the united message that human trafficking must end.

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Initiatives to Reduce Demand for Prostitution and Sex Trafficking in the U.S.

A number of criminal justice interventions and collaborative programs that combat prostitution and human trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation by focusing on reducing demand for commercial sex have emerged. Studies have found that the use of anti-demand approaches in the U.S. is more widespread than previously thought. However, little research or descriptive information is available about most of these interventions. Additionally, many communities attempting to address “demand” have not had access to lessons learned from the experiences of other communities. As a result, some initiatives have struggled or failed when faced with challenges that had been solved elsewhere.

This project provides a descriptive overview of initiatives targeting the demand for commercial sex in the U.S. and offers practitioners actionable information to assist them in starting, improving or sustaining initiatives.

Although this was not a formal evaluation, the report includes information about assessments of demand reduction activities. The authors note that successful demand-side interventions include:

• “John schools” and “john shaming”
• Reverse prostitution stings (street-level, brothel-based and web-based)
• Community education programs
• Seizing cars involved in purchasing sex and suspending drivers’ licenses
• The Swedish model: focusing on arresting and prosecuting the purchasers of commercial sex

Update: The website discussed below no longer is available. 

In addition to the final report, which summarizes the research activities and presents findings, the authors created a website that expands upon the overview in the report and provides information about the range of models and program structures implemented, the obstacles communities faced implementing these models and how to overcome these challenges. The site includes details on tactics and how to start, improve and sustain an initiative and is a critical resource to engage with before starting any demand reduction program.

The authors began by compiling a list of the different kinds of interventions and identifying cities and counties that had some form of sex trafficking or prostitution demand reduction activity. Then they conducted surveys and phone interviews with program and agency staff and stakeholders and made site visits to observe the programs and conduct in-person interviews.

About this Article

The work discussed in this article was completed under grant number 2008-IJ-CX-0010 awarded by NIJ to Abt Associates Inc. The article is based on the grant report A National Overview of Prostitution and Sex Trafficking Demand Reduction Efforts by Michael Shively, Kristina Kliorys, Kristin Wheeler, and Dana Hunt.

Cite this Article

Read more about:, related publications, related awards.

• A National Assessment of Sex Traficking Demand Reduction Efforts

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Current Trends in Sex Trafficking Research

Cecilia allan.

1 Department of Psychology and Counseling, Fairleigh Dickinson University, Teaneck, NJ USA

Georgia M. Winters

Elizabeth l. jeglic.

2 Department of Psychology, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, New York, NY USA

Purpose of Review

Sex trafficking is a significant global problem that results in millions of individuals being sexually exploited annually. This paper will provide an overview of recent research in the field of sex trafficking and evaluate findings to provide recommendations for future research and policy work.

Recent Findings

In recent years, there has been an increase in research focused on understanding sex trafficking and how it can be prevented. Specifically, recent studies have explored characteristics of sex trafficking cases, risk factors for experiencing sex trafficking, recruitment and maintenance processes, identification and intervention techniques, and treatment approaches.

While there have been significant strides to better understand sex trafficking across the globe, numerous areas require further exploration. Additional research conducted internationally and with adults who have experienced sex trafficking is needed to better understand methods that can identify individuals at risk for being trafficked, enhance early detection, and provide services to trafficked individuals.

Introduction

Sex trafficking is one of the fastest growing global criminal enterprises [ 1 ], with reported cases in 115 countries [ 2 ••]. It is estimated that in 2016, nearly four million adults and one million minors were forced into sexual labor [ 3 ]. While exact definitions may vary by country, sex trafficking as defined in the United States (U.S.) refers to the “recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of a person for the purpose of any commercial sex act where such act is induced by force, fraud or coercion, or when the person induced to perform sex acts is under the age of 18 years” [ 4 ]. Sex trafficking has serious consequences to the individual and society [ 5 ]. Experiencing sex trafficking has been shown to increase rates of physical illness [e.g., 5 ] as well as mental health conditions [e.g., 6 – 8 ] and can lead to social stigmatization and/or criminalization of trafficked individuals [ 8 ]. Sex trafficking also has a significant impact on society, sustaining organized crime, and depriving citizens of basic human rights and feelings of security [ 9 ]. Thus, determining methods of identification and prevention are of great importance. As such, this review will provide an overview of recent research (2019 to 2022) in the field of sex trafficking and critically evaluate findings to communicate suggestions for future research and policy work. The review will include a description of the characteristics of sex trafficking cases, risk factors for experiencing sex trafficking, recruitment and maintenance processes, identification and intervention techniques, and treatment approaches. Although the majority of research focuses on trafficked individuals who are under 18 at the time of exploitation, the information described throughout this review includes both child sex trafficking (CST) and adult sex trafficking (AST).

Characteristics of Sex Trafficking Cases

Globally, sexual exploitation (i.e., sex trafficking) is the most common form of human trafficking representing 50% of the cases of trafficked individuals [ 2 ••]. While it is estimated that almost five million individuals (adults and children) are trafficked for the purposes of sexual exploitation internationally [ 3 ], it is expected that this number has recently increased due to higher levels of unemployment resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic [ 2 ••]. Further, the global prevalence of sex trafficking is likely underestimated given the lack of a standardized definition [ 10 , 11 ] in addition to various individualized (e.g., failing to recognize experiences of victimization, nonreporting due to fear of individuals who perpetrate trafficking or law enforcement) [ 10 , 12 , 13 ] and systematic (e.g., lack of a central database to track occurrences) [ 14 ] barriers.

According to the UNDOC [ 2 ••], females experience sex trafficking at disproportionate rates, with women and girls, respectively, representing 77% and 72% of the individuals experiencing sexual exploitation. Others have estimated these rates to be even higher with some sources suggesting that up to 99% of sexually trafficked individuals are women and girls [ 3 , 15 •]. Most trafficked individuals enter sex trafficking before the age of 18, with the average age of first sex trafficking experience ranging from 12 to 15 years [ 15 •, 16 •]. Individuals who identify as part of the LGBTQ + community have twice the odds of being trafficked compared to those who identify as heterosexual [ 17 ]. This is hypothesized to be the result of familial discrimination and a lack of available services which increase their chances of experiencing other risk factors (e.g., homelessness) and leads to a higher likelihood of engaging in sex trafficking to meet basic needs [ 17 ]. Furthermore, while in lower income countries children are more likely to be trafficked for labor, in high and upper-middle income countries such as those in North America and Europe [ 2 ••], children are more likely to be trafficked for sexual purposes. Research also suggests domestic trafficking is more common than international trafficking [ 18 ••].

While most trafficked individuals are female, most individuals who perpetrate sex trafficking are male [ 15 •, 19 , 20 ••]. However, recent studies suggest that the prevalence of female individuals who perpetrate sex trafficking may be increasing, with estimates ranging from 16 to 32%. Differences in rates of female individuals who perpetrate sex trafficking may be related to location, as research conducted in the Netherlands identified that individuals who perpetrate sex trafficking internationally are significantly more likely to be female than individuals who perpetrate sex trafficking domestically (21.5% versus 12%) [ 18 ••].

The type and size of the sex trafficking organizations may vary based upon several factors. For instance, Veldhuizen-Ochodničanová and colleagues [ 20 ••] found that individuals who perpetrate sex trafficking domestically in the U.S. were more likely to work independently and have a single individual they were victimizing while individuals who perpetrate sex trafficking internationally were more likely to work in organized groups and have a larger number of individuals they were victimizing (i.e., over 10). Kragten-Heerdink and colleagues [ 18 ••] identified support for these findings in an international context, with individuals who perpetrate sex trafficking internationally reporting victimizing more individuals than those who perpetrate sex trafficking domestically in the Netherlands.

Risk Factors

Numerous factors contribute to the likelihood of being sexually exploited. Several studies have identified risks for experiencing CST in the U.S., including child maltreatment (e.g., prior sexual abuse), involvement in foster care, a history of running away, alcohol and substance use/abuse, poor mental health, justice system involvement, unstable home environments, peer or family influence (e.g., witnessing others engage in sex work), identifying as part of the LGBTQ + community, severe physical disabilities, and/or low cognitive abilities [ 8 , 16 •, 17 , 19 , 21 – 25 ]. Similar risk factors have also been reported in Canada and Israel [e.g., 21 , 26 ]. Research comparing domestic and international trafficking suggests that risk factors may differ depending on the context. For example, Kragten-Heerdink and colleagues [ 18 ••] found that individuals who were sexually trafficked domestically were more often described as vulnerable due to factors such as age, homelessness, and difficulties in the home (e.g., abuse), whereas those sexually trafficked internationally were more often described as vulnerable because of their disadvantaged background (e.g., poverty and lack of education) and/or a need to provide for others.

Process of Recruitment and Maintenance

One method of improving identification of those being trafficked is through knowledge and recognition of the tactics and processes by which individuals become sexually exploited. Often, individuals have preestablished relationships with those who perpetrate their sex trafficking (e.g., family and friends) and tend to become involved due to economic need [ 19 ]. Using a sample of 26 individuals who had experienced sex trafficking in the U.S., Reed and colleagues [ 27 ] identified three types of relationships that lead to CST: (1) friends, (2) romantic relationships, and (3) family. For more than half of their sample (54%), friends had influenced involvement in sex work, either through peer pressure or modeling a way to survive/obtain money [ 27 ]. Others (31%) had romantic relationships with “boyfriends” who later became pimps, using coercion or violence to force the trafficked individual into sex work and keeping the money for themselves [ 27 ]. Familial involvement in sex work was also identified as a pathway towards involvement in CST in 15% of the cases [ 27 ]. In another recruitment model developed in the U.S., Roe-Sepowitz [ 15 •] proposed that individuals who perpetrate sex trafficking tend to recruit by targeting vulnerable children (e.g., runaways, those who respond to overtures of romance) and promising money, drugs, alcohol, or a place to stay. The author also noted use of various methods of control such as sexual, physical, and psychological abuse to condition trafficked individuals and prevent them from leaving [ 15 •].

In an effort to synthesize the research on the behaviors and tactics involved in the trafficking process, Winters and colleagues [ 28 ••] conducted a review of the literature (including both sex trafficking and child sexual abuse) and proposed the Sexual Grooming Model of Child Sex Trafficking (SGM-CST). According to the SGM-CST, the behaviors and tactics used by individuals who perpetrate sex trafficking can be conceptualized into five stages: (1) victim selection, (2) gaining access and isolation, (3) trust development, (4) desensitization to sexualized content and touch, and (5) postabuse maintenance [ 28 ••]. Victim selection involves choosing an individual to traffick based on specific internal and external vulnerabilities (e.g., drug addiction, intellectual deficits, inhospitable home environment, and unmet needs at home). Once the individual perpetrating the sex trafficking has identified a preferred individual, they begin to engage in behaviors aimed at accessing the child, such as manipulating their existing relationships or isolating the child from emotional supports and physical protective factors (e.g., areas with surveillance). The individual perpetrating the sex trafficking then focuses on gaining the trust and cooperation of the individual they are trafficking, as well as others in that individual’s life. This may involve presenting oneself as romantically interested, providing compliments and attention, or utilizing more materialistic tactics such as giving money and gifts. After trust has been established, the individual perpetrating the sex trafficking works to desensitize the youth to sexual content (e.g., asking sexually explicit questions) and contact (e.g., taking explicit photos and exposure to pornography). Lastly, individuals who perpetrate sex trafficking engage in postabuse maintenance to facilitate future abuse and/or prevent disclosure of the abuse. Both emotional manipulation (e.g., competition among trafficked individuals and instilling feelings of shame) and controlling behaviors (e.g., physical abuse, sexual violence, verbal threats, and blackmail) may be used at this stage. This model provides a framework for understanding the recruitment tactics of individuals who perpetrate sex trafficking and could help with prevention through identification, educational efforts, investigations, and prosecution of CST cases. The authors indicate that the next step is validating the SGM-CST using data from trafficked individuals [ 28 ••].

International research reveals use of similar methods of recruitment (e.g., through relationships), trust development (e.g., showing attention or gifts), and maintenance (e.g., deception, persuasion, psychological control, and threats) [ 21 , 29 ]. However, there appears to be some variation by country as studies from Spain and India show recruitment into sexual exploitation may occur as the result of prior engagement in domestic servitude or due to familial obligation. As examples, in Spain and Morocco, young girls from economically disadvantaged families in rural areas are often recruited to work as housemaids for wealthy families and are subsequently targeted by trafficking networks [ 30 ], while CST is considered normative among some castes (e.g., Bedia) in India to provide financially for the family [ 31 ].

It is also important to consider how these methods may vary depending upon the type of sex trafficking operation. For instance, Veldhuizen-Ochodničanová and colleagues [ 20 ••] compared differences between domestic and international sex trafficking processes in the U.S. They found differences in victim selection decisions, in that individuals who perpetrate sex trafficking domestically tended to select minors and individuals who had run away from home, whereas individuals who perpetrate sex trafficking internationally were significantly more likely to target poor, uneducated, or homeless individuals [ 20 ••]. In reference to methods of recruitment, they found that individuals who perpetrate sex trafficking domestically and internationally used some approaches at similar rates (e.g., romancing, promising interstate travel, and taking care of money/needs); however, significantly more international trafficking cases involved promises of a job or an American visa [ 20 ••]. The researchers also found significant differences in the strategies used to gain and maintain control. Specifically, individuals who perpetrate sex trafficking domestically were more likely to use drug dependence as a method of control, whereas those who perpetrate sex trafficking internationally were more likely to reference smuggling debt, deportation, and ID confiscation in order to maintain compliance [ 20 ••]. In a similar comparative analysis conducted in the Netherlands, researchers found differences in the use of violence as a means of coercive control, noting that this method was employed significantly more often by individuals who perpetrate sex trafficking domestically than those who perpetrate sex trafficking internationally [ 18 ••]. Overall, these findings suggest that consideration of the country and context (i.e., international versus domestic) is important when looking for indications of victimization.

Identification and Intervention

While research has identified risk factors and recruitment processes involved in sex trafficking, considerably less is known about the extent to which this knowledge has been applied by healthcare professionals, law enforcement, and educators to identify and intervene in cases of sex trafficking. The few studies which have been conducted appear to focus on North American-based professionals.

Several studies in the U.S. have examined how to improve identification of sex trafficking in healthcare settings. One commonly studied tool is the Short Screen for Child Sex Trafficking ( SSCST ), a 6-item measure which includes questions relevant to risk factors (e.g., physical violence, running away, sexual history, and substance use) [ 32 •]. Peterson and colleagues [ 33 ] examined the use of routine screening for CST using a modified version of the SSCST in emergency departments. They found that the modified SSCST improved specificity when children present with a high-risk chief complaint (e.g., sexual assault, physical assault, and runaway) by increasing CST identification rates from 1.3% to 11.3% during comprehensive follow-up evaluations [ 33 ]. Similarly, Hurst and colleagues [ 34 ] examined the effectiveness of an electronic self-report version of the SSCST . In a sample of 212 patients, 22 of the 26 patients who had experienced sexual exploitation (84.6%) screened positive for trafficking using the tool. Results suggest that this self-report method was helpful in identifying CST and may be useful in busy clinical environments to ensure additional evaluation services are provided for those who screen positive for CST [ 34 ].

In addition to utilizing screening tools, research has highlighted the importance of training professionals who frequently encounter trafficked individuals on identification procedures. Research conducted with service providers (e.g., counselors, medical personnel, law enforcement, and educators) who frequently interact with those who may be experiencing sex trafficking suggests that training can be an effective method of improving identification and access to services.

Service Providers

It appears that many service providers have received at least some training on the identification of CST. To examine the effectiveness of training programs aimed at improving identification of CST, Preble and colleagues [ 35 •] used snowball and purposive sampling targeted at members of antitrafficking networks to survey a range of service providers (e.g., law enforcement, child protective services, and medical personnel; n  = 107) in a midwestern state in the U.S. Ninety percent of respondents indicated that they had received training for CST, most often related to the definition of human trafficking, vulnerability factors, and identification of trafficked individuals. However, the authors propose that continued definitional confusion among professionals who had received training may suggest that current methods are not sufficient for improving identification of trafficked individuals [ 35 •].

Awerbuch and colleagues [ 36 ] examined the impact of a full-day educational intervention for U.S. professionals working with individuals who may be experiencing CST (e.g., nurses, counselors, police officers, and social workers). They found that the training, which included a description of CST, impacts of screening and identification, an explanation of trauma bonding, and skills for communicating with trafficked individuals, was effective in increasing sex trafficking knowledge among some practitioners [ 36 ]. The Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC) is another training manual which has had positive impacts on increasing identification of trafficked individuals in the U.S. [ 37 ]. Modules in this program explore (1) an overview of CSEC, (2) pathways and precursors, (3) understanding impacts, (4) victim identification and engagement, (5) effective service delivery, (6) investigating cases, (7) working with cases, and (8) medical and mental health care of trafficked individuals [ 37 ]. Kenny and colleagues [ 37 ] provided nine three-hour training sessions over the course of six months and found statistically significant differences between pretest and posttest scores on a measure of sex trafficking knowledge. Professionals (e.g., therapists, transportation workers, and social workers) reported that they had a greater ability to identify and recognize trafficked individuals, an improved understanding and knowledge of CST, an increased ability to communicate with and engage trafficked individuals, and a heightened desire to educate others on this problem after receiving the training.

Of note, researchers have identified variations in the definition of sex trafficking as a barrier that impedes identification of trafficked individuals, which may impact the quality and effectiveness of trainings. Preble and colleagues [ 35 •] found that, despite previous training, many respondents indicated confusion regarding definitional aspects of sex trafficking. When examining service providers’ understanding and identification of CST, Gonzalez-Pons [ 38 ] found that the persistence of myths related to CST and a lack of definitional understanding interferes with identification of trafficked individuals and service delivery.

Law Enforcement

Trafficked individuals may come in contact with law enforcement due to suspicion regarding the commission of delinquent behavior. Interrogations by police can create mistrust thereby decreasing the likelihood of disclosure and identification [ 39 ]. Consequently, research has started to focus on law enforcement responses to sex trafficking. Miller and colleagues [ 40 ] examined the effectiveness of the Law Enforcement First Responders Protocol for Commercially Sexually Exploited Children ( FRP ), a training program that aimed to help law enforcement officers identify those who had been trafficked while avoiding criminalization of these individuals under prostitution laws in the U.S. While overall effectiveness on identification rates was not discussed, the authors note that by encouraging officers to connect trafficked individuals with services rather than criminalize behaviors, the program allowed many trafficked individuals to access important medical services [ 40 ].

Other Professionals

Gaps have been identified in that training may not be provided to some professionals who have a high likelihood of interacting with individuals who have been sexually trafficked (e.g., medical providers and educators). For example, although educational and medical societies recommend that students learn to recognize and provide care for sexually trafficked individuals, Talbott and colleagues [ 41 ] were able to identify only four programs which aimed to train medical students on identification and intervention. A Canadian study of medical professionals ( n  = 125) found that 40% of physicians and 51% of other health professionals (e.g., nurses and psychologists) had never received training related to CST and did not feel comfortable making identification judgments [ 42 •]. Further some research suggests that healthcare providers may be more attuned to general signs of child maltreatment rather than having specific knowledge regarding risks of CST [ 42 •, 43 ].

Similarly, it appears that educators have little guidance on how to identify signs of CST among their students [ 44 ]. Chesworth and colleagues [ 44 ] proposed a protocol outlining how schools could respond to concerns of CST and help with identification. This included (1) taking action when sex trafficking is disclosed or suspected and reporting even if uncertain, (2) informing and involving relevant personnel, (3) working collaboratively to decide who to include in the report process, (4) submitting a report to Child Protective Services, and (5) following up after the report with the student and family to ensure they are getting proper services.

Given the physical and psychological impact of sexual exploitation, once trafficked individuals are identified, clinicians and service providers must work to implement treatment programs that will address the unique needs of this population. Importantly, counselors and mental health workers may need to take on a multifaceted role when working with trafficked individuals, helping to simultaneously address substance use, trauma, family issues, and physical care needs [ 45 ]. Cross-culturally, one of the most important factors in making a positive impact when working with trafficked individuals is promoting feelings of safety by communicating acceptance and understanding [ 46 – 48 ]. Other factors that have been found to facilitate treatment engagement include using a harm reduction and trauma-informed lens to understand behavioral patterns, develop trusting relationships, share decision-making responsibilities, and encourage client autonomy by being flexible [ 46 ]. To date, no treatment has been developed specifically for individuals who have experienced sex trafficking; however, a variety of approaches developed for those who have gone through other forms of trauma have been examined for use with trafficked individuals.

One approach that has been found to be effective when working with those who have experienced CST is trauma-focused cognitive behavior therapy (TF-CBT) [e.g., 37 , 49 •]. This manualized treatment builds on cognitive behavioral principles and uses gradual exposure to help youth and caregivers acknowledge and process trauma while learning and applying coping skills [ 49 •]. TF-CBT has been found to result in significant reductions in symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, and deviant behaviors and lead to improvements in self-regulation, hope for the future, and positive affect in multiple countries (e.g., the United States [ 37 , 49 •, 50 ], Cambodia [ 51 ], and India [ 52 ]).

Other treatment approaches include using a mentoring model. My Life My Choice, a U.S.-based treatment program for trafficked youth, pairs youth experiencing CST or those at very high risk of becoming involved in CST with a trained adult mentor who has lived experience with sexual exploitation [ 53 •]. This program has been found to have positive outcomes, improving coping skills and reducing the likelihood of experiencing sex trafficking, engaging in delinquent behavior, and being justice-involved [ 53 •]. Other researchers have found similar support for the inclusion of those with lived trafficking experience in treatment programs [e.g., 54 ]. Yet, despite the benefits of including individuals with lived experience in the treatment process, they are not typically involved in program development [ 55 ].

Conclusions and Recommendations

In recent years, there has been a research focus on better understanding sex trafficking. Empirical data has shown that sex trafficking has become a significant global problem that results in millions of people being sexually exploited each year. While there have been advances in research that shed light on the nature and extent of the problem, there remain many areas in need of further exploration. Below, we detail recommendations for future research and practice.

Recommendations

• Sex trafficking is increasingly being understood as a unique form of human trafficking. As such, there should be a universal definition for sex trafficking, both domestically and internationally. Currently, there are a wide range of definitions used across different jurisdictions, which may lead to a lack of clarity and impede detection and prosecution. Relatedly, sex trafficking should be defined as a separate construct from human trafficking more generally; for example, the UN defines human trafficking, but does not have a clear definition of what constitutes sex trafficking. Ultimately, universal definitions for sex trafficking can be beneficial in ensuring a common language across jurisdictions thus improving detection, prevention, and research efforts. Having a common definition of sex trafficking would also be beneficial in prosecuting those who perpetrate sex trafficking across jurisdictions and international borders.
• Sex trafficking is a global issue. As such, information sharing between jurisdictions and across countries should be encouraged by legislators to improve international prevention and identification efforts.
• Much of the literature on sex trafficking has been conducted in the U.S., with some single studies being conducted in other areas (e.g., Europe and South Asia). Additional research examining the similarities and differences that may exist internationally is needed to adequately identify, prevent, and intervene in cases of sex trafficking. This is especially important since it has been suggested that the perpetrators, tactics, and characteristics of targeted individuals may differ depending on the location, including whether trafficking occurs domestically or internationally [e.g., 18 ••, 20 ••].
• Research on sex trafficking in recent years has largely focused on cases involving minors. More research with adults who have been trafficked is needed to better understand the extent of the problem, as there is some evidence that AST may be more common than CST [ 3 ]. Additionally, it would be important to understand how cases of AST and CST may differ, in terms of risk factors for experiencing sex trafficking, recruitment and maintenance tactics, consequences of sex trafficking, and effectiveness of screening, training, and treatment for these populations.
• There are other subpopulations of trafficked individuals that warrant further examination. For example, individuals from the LGBTQ + community are at an increased risk of experiencing CST [ 17 ]; however, literature has focused largely on young, presumably heterosexual, girls. This is especially notable in the treatment literature, as there are a lack of materials and programs designed to address the unmet needs of LGBTQ + trafficked individuals [ 24 , 56 ]; as such, additional research examining how to best provide treatment for this population is needed.
• The research regarding training professionals on prevention and intervention tends to focus on health professionals. While medical and mental health professionals have an important role to play in treatment, it is often front-line workers such as school personnel, hospitality workers, transportation workers, and law enforcement officers who have first contact with trafficked individuals and those suspected of being trafficked. Thus, they may have an important role to play in prevention, detection, and prosecution of individuals who perpetrate sex trafficking. For example, research has shown that interviewing styles of law enforcement officers can influence trafficked individuals’ willingness to disclose and provide details about sexual exploitation experiences [ 39 ]; as such, training should be tailored to working with this population. Relatedly, policies requiring the training of front-line workers should be implemented to enhance the likelihood of accurate detection and early intervention.
• Given that vulnerable individuals are often selected by those who perpetrate sex trafficking [ 15 •, 28 ••], policies advocating for the provision of services (e.g., after school programs, affordable counseling, and work programs) that provide guidance and supervision to at-risk populations should be developed.

In sum, there have been strides to better understand sex trafficking across the globe; however, there remains numerous areas that need further exploration. Additional research is critical, as this will shed light on methods that can be used to identify vulnerable populations, recognize cases of sex trafficking as early as possible, and provide services to those who were sexually trafficked or perpetrated these behaviors.

Declarations

The authors declare no competing interests.

All reported studies/experiments with human or animal subjects performed by the authors have been previously published and complied with all applicable ethical standards (including the Helsinki declaration and its amendments, institutional/national research committee standards, and international/national/institutional guidelines).

This article is part of the Topical Collection on Sexual Disorders

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