Sex Trafficking: Similarities Between Prostitution And Domestic Violence

defining sex trafficking as “receiving, recruiting, enticing, harboring, providing, or obtaining by any means an individual to aid in the prostitution of the individual” or “receiving profit or anything of value, knowing or having reason to know it derived from [sex trafficking]” (Walsh 2016). Similar to sex trafficking, prostitution is a coercive practice that preys on vulnerable people, “Studies consistently find that people are disproportionately prostituted from vulnerable groups (women, minorities, the poor, minors, survivors of childhood physical, emotional, and sexual abuse), and from coercive circumstances (such as homelessness, unemployment, or being a runaway)” (Walsh 2016). The same tactics of coercive and power control

Similarly, victims of sex trafficking may seem as prostitutes or sex workers “choosing” to subject themselves to abusive pimps or johns and consequently be denied needed services and protection. As noted above, not all sex work is considered to be forced, but it does not mean that services, programs, and access to justice should not be available to them. The justice system must address abuse when it occurs, “There are significant similarities between the abuses perpetrated in domestic violence and sex trafficking. Therefore, utilizing services that are now earmarked for domestic abuse victims and extending them to victims of sex trafficking is appropriate and needed” (Walsh 2016). Despite sharing many similarities, victims of trafficking will need specialized care for chemical dependency, isolation, wrongly being treated as a criminal, and experiencing repeated and extreme forms of physical and sexual assaults by multiple perpetrators. It would be beneficial not only to extend available services but also to specialize them to meet the specific needs of individuals who have been trafficked. Minnesota is home to many organizations, but the one with the most specialized care is “The organization Breaking Free in Minneapolis, MN is an example of a survivor-led program focusing on African American women who have been trafficked and

Aftercare services are designed to promote recovery, prevent traumatization, and remove barriers against victims from getting an education, housing, and future employment. In addition, “Thirty-four states have passed “safe harbor” laws that provide trafficking victims with immunity from prostitution offenses and increase participation in victim assistance programs” (Twigg 2017).

Trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy has been successful in treating victims with PTSD or who have a history of child sexual abuse. Substance abuse treatment programs may also be necessary because victims can be coerced into using substances or may choose to use them as a negative coping