Sex Trafficking

Sex trafficking is the recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of a person for the purpose of a commercial sex act in which a commercial sex act is induced by force, fraud, or coercion, or in which the person forced to perform such an act is under the age of 18 years. An estimated 2 million children, the majority of them girls, are sexually exploited in the multibillion dollar commercial sex industry (UNICEF). Around the world between 50-60% of the children who are trafficked into sexual slavery are under the age of 16. In addition, 25% of all child sex tourists around the world are U.S. citizens.

The problem of sex trafficking is often viewed as being a foreign issue. In that many Americans perceive this matter as predominantly occurring in regions such as Southeast Asia and Eastern Europe. However, the following statistics paint a very different picture:

• In 2005, the U.S. Department of Justice reported there have been an estimated 100,000 to 150,000 sex slaves in the U.S. since 2001. 
• In 2009, a University of Pennsylvania study estimated that nearly 300,000 youth in the United States were at risk of being sexually exploited for commercial uses. 
• According to the U.S. State Department, between 14,500 and 17,500 victims are trafficked into the U.S. every year. 
• The largest number of people trafficked into the United States come from East Asia and the Pacific (5,000 to 7,000 victims). The next highest numbers come from Latin America and from Europe and Eurasia, with between 3,500 and 5,500 victims from each. (U.S. Departments of Justice, Health & Human Services, State, Labor, Homeland Security, Agriculture, and the U.S. Agency for International Development. 2004. Assessment of U.S. Government Activities to Combat Trafficking in Persons. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Justice.) 

Sex trafficking is also an ongoing issue in the state of Minnesota.

• 8,000 to 12,000 people are estimated to be involved in prostitution/sex trafficking in Minnesota every day (Breaking Free). 
• In a North Minneapolis research project on prostitution/sex trafficking, 56% of people involved had their first experience in prostitution/sex trafficking as a juvenile (under the age of 18). Studies in other U.S. cities found similar figures (Chicago: 62%, San Francisco: 78%). 
• The average age of a girl’s entry into prostitution/sex trafficking is 12 to 14 years old (Action Networks to End Sexual Exploitation in Minnesota). 

Sex trafficking exacts a heavy toll on victims and is far from a victimless crime. One large case study found a mortality rate 200 times higher for women who have been involved in sex trafficking than women of a similar age and race who have not. This can be attributed to higher rates than the general population of cancer (particularly cervical), chronic disease, pelvic inflammatory disease, and traumatic brain injury for those who have been victims of sex trafficking.

There are numerous challenges for those victims who desire to break free from sex trafficking. Shelters which specifically serve U.S. citizen trafficked persons are few in number. In most shelters, potential guests who would be labeled as former prostitutes raise safety concerns and concerns about their criminal records. However, shelters that accept anyone could be a safety concern to a person who has been trafficked. In addition, the waiting lists for public housing or Section 8 housing are often long, yet people who have been trafficked must secure safe housing quickly. Also, renting or buying a home often requires financial means, a good credit history, and a passable background check and many trafficked individuals face difficulties overcoming these barriers.

There are numerous organizations in Minnesota, the United States, and globally, which are working to help stop sex trafficking. For more information concerning this issue and to learn how you can become involved in stopping sex trafficking please visit the following websites:

• Breaking Free: http://www.breakingfree.net/ 
• Love 146: http://love146.org/ 
• International Justice Mission: http://www.ijm.org/ 
• World Vision: http://www.worldvision.org/content.nsf/learn/globalissues-stp 
• Veronica’s Voice: http://www.veronicasvoice.org/ 
• SAGE Project (Standing Against Global Exploitation Project): http://www.sagesf.org/ 
• Bilateral Coalition: http://www.bsccoalition.org/ 
• GEMS (Girls Educational & Mentoring Services): http://www.gems-girls.org/ 
• Video Shown in church: The Making of a Girl from LOVE146