Young 1

Darcee Young

Professor Broadbent

Writing 39C

6 May 2018

Human Sex Trafficking in the United States

According to ​The New York Times​, Elan Seagraves was arrested for sex trafficking two

17 year old girls in Sacramento, California on December 25, 2018. Seagraves was a father,

bartender, boys and girls soccer coach at John F. Kennedy High School, as well as a driver for

the famous transportation companies Uber and Lyft. After being arrested, Seagraves was sent to

the county jail with a bail of $2 million (Stack). Many believe that sex trafficking is something

that happens in other countries. In reality, however, it is insidious and rampant, occuring

underneath our noses on home soil.

Although the United States is rooted in the doctrines of freedom, current issues today

such as sex trafficking prove that individuals in the United States are not actually free. While the

type of slavery that existed in the past is commonly associated with images of chains and whips,

human sex trafficking in the United States is a more modern and growing form of slavery that

exists today. Even though cases of sex trafficking in the United States may not be evident in

plain sight, individuals are being trafficked in public places such as neighborhoods, schools, and

stores. According to Kimberly Kotrla and Beth Wommack, “Sex Trafficking of Minors in the

U.S.: Implications for Policy, Prevention and Research,” the Victims of Trafficking and Violence

Protection Act defines sex trafficking as “a recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or

obtaining of a person for the purpose of commercial sex act” with commercial sex acts being one
 Young 2

where some sort of worth and value is exchanged between the individuals involved (Kotrla and

Beth Wommack). Sex trafficking is a heinous crime that continues to thrive until this day with

women and minors as the main victims. This leads to detrimental, lasting physical and

psychological effects on its victims.

What is Sex Trafficking?

Sex trafficking is a large industry that makes billions of dollars by exploiting mainly

women and minors under the age of 18. According to Kimberly Kotrla and Beth Wommack, one

of the most common forms of

recruitment of these young girls in

the United States is through false

promise, fake modeling contracts,

being kidnapped, through a

“boyfriend” who is often an older

man, the Internet, or a family

member. (Kotrla and Beth

Wommack). Women that are recruited also fall prey to similar tricks from sex traffickers and

families. According to Neha Deshpande and Newal M. Nour, “Sex Trafficking of Women and

Girls,” women that are recruited from a foreign country into the United States are lured in by sex

traffickers because they are promised citizenship or given a fake marriage proposal (Deshpande

and Newal M. Nour). Also, the Institute for Women’s Policy Research states that many women

are lured into sex trafficking because they are promised a better life, job experience, or financial

assistance. However, by falling into these traps, both women and young girls are indebted and
 Young 3

are forced provide sexual “services to repay debt to traffickers who often impose high interest

rates, withhold payment, and charge for housing, food, transportation, and other basic supplies”

(“The Economic”).

Controllers of the Sex Trafficking Industry

The operation of this business greatly varies nationwide. According to Janice G.

Raymond and colleagues, “Sex Trafficking of Women in the United States,” the sex industry is

found in all areas such as rural, urban, suburban, and even in areas surrounding military bases in

the United States where they operate under both illegal and legal businesses. For example, the

sex industry functions under a range of businesses and locations, from trailers and shacks to

prostitution on the street, strip clubs, pornographic businesses, restaurants, massage businesses,

health companies, and nail salons (Raymond et. al). Furthermore, Raymond and colleagues

explain that those that operate the sex trafficking business also vary and are often times

unexpected because the majority of these businesses are owned by families, judges, and lawyers.

Organized crime rings are also involved in sex trafficking. (Raymond et. al). While it is hard to

believe that even the most well known members of the community run such an inhumane

business, they also remain uncaptured because they are rarely involved in the daily operation of

the sex trafficking ring and instead rely on those of lower status in the business to work on the

front in the physical trade of humans for sex, making sex business thrive.

However, these businesses cannot function properly without a demand for sex from

consumers. A client of these services does not fall under a specific type. According to Stephanie

M. Berger, "No End in Sight: Why the End demand Movement is the Wrong Focus for Efforts to

Eliminate Human Trafficking," the customers of sex trafficking consist mostly of men of all
 Young 4

ethnicities, ages, and socioeconomic status who buy sex because they may be addicted to sex,

have a disability, travel, or simply wish to fulfill certain sexual fantasies and experiences

(Berger).

Victims of Sex Trafficking

The main victims of sex trafficking are women and children. Camille A. Gibson and

Edward J. Schauer, “Sex Trafficking within the United States” explains that in cities such as

New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Las Vegas, “about 50,000 persons are enslaved in

the United States and that about half of these might be minors” (Gibson and Edward J. Schauer).

According to Janice Raymond and colleagues, “Sex Trafficking of Women in the United States,”

women being trafficked in the United States vary racially, and include Hispanic, African

American, Asian, European, and American women. They also found that many of these women

began being trafficked before the age of 25, often as children (Raymond et.al). This is significant

because minors are being enslaved and forced into sexual acts even until today.

In addition, Natalie M. McClain and

Stacy E. Garrity, “Sex Trafficking and the

Exploitation of Adolescents,” state that

many young girls fall for the tricks of sex

traffickers and the average age that these

young girls are trafficked at is the age of

13 (McClain and Stacy E. Garrity). In the

study conducted by Kimberly Kotrla and

Beth Wommack, the majority of minors

 Young 5

that are being trafficked for sex in the United States can range from as young as 5 years old to 17

years old are are recruited from both inside and outside of the U.S. (Kotrla and Beth Wommack).

Sex Trafficking vs. Prostitution

The definition of sex trafficking is complicated because people have different views on

whether sex trafficking is synonymous with prostitution. Prostitution is the trade of sexual acts

for something of value and is illegal in most states in the United States. According to Galma

Jahic and James Finckenauer, “Representations and Misrepresentations of Human Trafficking,”

many see sex trafficking as another form of prostitution because they both involve a women’s

body being sold and bought for sexual acts (Jahic and Finckenauer 33). On the other hand, those

that advocate for a distinction between human sex trafficking and prostitution argue that sex

trafficking victims should not be identified under the same terms as prostitutes. Supporters of

this argument hold a unifying idea that not only are sex trafficking victims being forced into

performing sexual acts whereas sex workers enter the sex industry voluntarily, but also that sex

trafficking victims and sex workers under prostitution have different needs. For example, Jahic

and Finckenauer explain that “victims of trafficking may require immediate and intensive

medical and psychological treatment, while sex workers may be more in need of education about

STDs and personal safety” (Jahic and Finckenauer 34). As a result, it is not accurate to view

trafficking victims as prostitutes because this ignores the urgent medical and psychological needs

that trafficking victims have from the traumatizing experience of being sold and often times

abused as a sexual object.

The difficulty between the differing views of the definition of sex trafficking further

complicates the legal measures of whether an individual involved in sex trafficking should be
 Young 6

treated as a victim or charged as a criminal. According to Wendi Adelson, “CHILD

PROSTITUTE OR VICTIM OF TRAFFICKING?” laws have been fluctuating over the past two

decades where some states give minors under prostitution an adult sentence. However, some

justice system are recognizing that some prostituted minors are simply victims and forced into

performing sexual acts (Adelson 110). The inconsistency in these legislations regarding viewing

sex trafficking victims as prostitutes are also seen in terms of adult victims. The differing views

of whether a sex trafficking victim should be seen as a prostitute influences the inconsistent state

legislation of charging an sexually trafficked individual as a victim of exploitation or as a

criminal performing illegal sex actions.

Effects on Victims

Victims of sex trafficking have horrifying experiences. According to a study conducted

by Jody Raphael and colleagues, “Pimp Control and Violence: Domestic Sex Trafficking of

Chicago Women and Girls” most women and girls are subjects of violence and physical abuse

where “a total of 76 percent of the women experienced slapping, 52 percent experienced forced

sex, and 51 percent experienced punching” (Raphael et. al). In addition to physical abuse,

victims often experience severe

psychological problems. The National

Institute of Women explain that sex

trafficking victims often develop

problems such as depression, anxiety,

post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD),

and an addiction to drugs and alcohol

 Young 7

under the control of their sex trafficker or as a coping mechanism through forced traumatic and

sexual experiences (“The Economic”). Also, victims develop various physical health problems.

According to Siân Oram and colleagues, sex trafficked women and children have expressed that

they have experienced the health problems of fatigue, back pain, memory problems, stomach

pains, and pelvic pains (Oram et. al). In addition, there is an increased risk of STDs from

multiple unknown sexual partners due to the lack of condom use as sexual acts are being

performed. According to Janice Raymond and colleagues, “Sex Trafficking of Women in the

United States,” due to the high levels of violence and abuse, sex trafficking victims are not able

to negotiate with the client about the use of condoms because they are powerless. This lack of

protection not only increases the risk and transmission of STDs but it also results in unwanted

pregnancies and therefore forced abortions or other options such as placing the child in an

orphanage, giving the child up for adoption, or giving up custody of the child to social services

or the sex trafficker (Raymond et. al).

Furthermore, victims experience lasting economic effects after they are freed or escape.

Many victims do not finish their education on time, drop out of school, or are unable to be

competitive in the workforce. According to The National Institute of Women, the compounded

negative effects of sex trafficking result in the difficulty of securing a job because “criminal

histories prevented 81.5 percent of [victims] from obtaining employment and 55.6 percent from

getting housing” (“The Economic”).

How the Community is Affected

Sex trafficking takes a toll on the community because it is so well disguised. Thus,

anyone can be affected by such a horrid crime. Trafficking occurs in even the safest communities
 Young 8

and because sex traffickers are often not easily identified, many kids, even though they come

from a stable and “good” family, can be fooled by traffickers. Furthermore, sex trafficking

results in an increased public health risk of STDs. While sex trafficking increases the risk of

contracting HIV among individuals, it also results in the spread of diseases nationwide.

According to Amanda Kloer,

“Sex Trafficking and HIV/AIDS:

A Deadly Junction for Women,”

sex trafficking plays a big role in

spreading and mutating HIV

because “the commercial sex

industry in general, and sex

trafficking in particular, are

facilitating the global dispersion of various (and possibly drug-resistant) HIV subtypes” (Kloer).

Sex trafficking is an insidious but large and growing problem in the United States for

various reasons. Aside from the inhumane injustice of enslaving and forcing victims to have sex

for money, it also impacts its victims and society as a whole negatively. Victims are subject to

torture, sexual abuse, and subpar living conditions, leading to many physical and psychological

health problems. They also face the risk of criminal prosecution. Public health issues arise from

the spread of sexually transmitted diseases. The perpetrators and customers are well-disguised

and often hold important positions in society, making them the least suspect. The U.S.

government and its lawmakers have yet to find an effective solution to expose and put an end to

these immoral crimes. It is important to recognize that this is a real problem that does not happen
 Young 9

only in foreign countries. It is happening in our communities, and we as a society must be

vigilant and raise awareness to assist in putting an end to this issue.

 Young 10

Works Cited

Adelson, Wendi J. "Child prostitute or victim of trafficking." ​U. St. Thomas LJ​ 6 (2008): 96.

Berger, Stephanie M. "No End in Sight: Why the End demand Movement is the Wrong Focus for

Efforts to Eliminate Human Trafficking," ​Harvard Journal of Law & Gender​ vol. 35, no.

2 (Summer 2012): p. 523-570.

Deshpande, Neha A., and Nawal M. Nour. “Sex Trafficking of Women and Girls.” ​Reviews in

Obstetrics and Gynecology​ 6.1 (2013): e22–e27. Print.

Gibson, Camille A., and Edward J. Schauer. "Sex Trafficking within the United States."

Encyclopedia of Adolescence​. Springer New York, 2011. 2629-2633.

Jahic, Galma, and James O. Finckenauer. "Representations and misrepresentations of human

trafficking." ​Trends in Organized Crime​ 8.3 (2005): 24-40.

Kloer, Amanda. “Sex Trafficking and HIV/AIDS: A Deadly Junction for Women.” ​American

Bar Association​, www.americanbar.org/publications/human_rights_magazine_home/

human_rights_vol37_2010/spring2010/sex_trafficking_and_hiv_aids_a_deadly_junction

_for_women_and_girls.html.

Kotrla, Kimberly, and Beth Ann Wommack. "Sex trafficking of minors in the US: Implications

for policy, prevention and research." ​Journal of Applied Research on Children: Informing

Policy for Children at Risk​ 2.1 (2011): 5.

McClain, Natalie M., and Stacy E. Garrity. "Sex trafficking and the exploitation of adolescents."

Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, & Neonatal Nursing​ 40.2 (2011): 243-252.

Oram, Siân, et al. “Prevalence and Risk of Violence and the Physical, Mental, and Sexual Health

Problems Associated with Human Trafficking: Systematic Review.” ​PLOS Medicine​,

 Young 11

Public Library of Science, journals.plos.org/plosmedicine/article?id=10.1371/journal.

pmed.1001224#s1.

Raphael, Jody, Jessica Ashley Reichert, and Mark Powers. "Pimp control and violence:

Domestic sex trafficking of Chicago women and girls." ​Women & Criminal Justice

20.1-2 (2010): 89-104.

Raymond, Janice G., Donna M. Hughes, and Carol J. Gomez. "Sex trafficking of women in the

United States." ​International sex trafficking of women & children: Understanding the

global epidemic​ (2001): 3-14.

Stack, Liam. “School Soccer Coach in California Charged With Trafficking Teenage Girls.” ​The

New York Times​, The New York Times, 3 Jan. 2018, www.nytimes.com/2018/01/03/us/

soccer-coach-human-trafficking.html?rref=collection/timestopic/HumanTrafficking&acti

on=click&contentCollection=timestopics®ion=stream&module=stream_unit&version=la

test&contentPlacement=15&pgtype=collection.

“The Economic Drivers and Consequences of Sex Trafficking in the United States.” ​Institute for

Women's Policy Research​.