Sex Trafficking Victims and Offenders in the United States

Abstract

This project analyzed data previously collected from the University of Michigan Human Trafficking Law Project and the United States Department of Justice in order to identify the trends and relationships among several variables pertaining to sex trafficking victims and offenders in the United States. Recommendations include suggestions on the micro, mezzo, and macro levels to prevent sex trafficking and provide treatment to survivors and offenders. Both findings from the study and the literature review indicate that sex trafficking is an emerging global crisis, in which millions of women and children are deceived and coerced into sexual slavery. Although State and federal policies have been enacted to combat sex trafficking in the United States, globalization, a culture of tolerance toward sexually aggressive behavior, the high demand for prostitution, and government corruption and/or inaction have continued to allow sex trafficking to exist as one of the most profitable crimes for offenders.