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

in domestic abuse are in trafficking and prostitution. While there are many definitions of domestic violence, the Department of Justice defines it as “…as a pattern of abusive behavior in any relationship that is used by one partner to gain or maintain power and control over another intimate partner. Domestic violence can be physical, sexual, emotional, economic, or psychological actions or threats of actions that influence another person which includes any behaviors that intimidate, manipulate, humiliate, isolate, frighten, terrorize, coerce, threaten, blame, hurt, injure, or wound someone” (Walsh 2016). Intimate partner violence is common throughout the world. Many young girls believe that their partners are their boyfriends and are regularly assaulted by them. A common theme shown in trafficking and domestic violence is that “Violence is only one of the forms of coercive control used by perpetrators of domestic violence and trafficking to silence and force compliance among their victims” (Walsh 2016).
In today’s society, women who are in domestic violence situations often get blamed because they “choose” to stay with their abusers.

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

prostituted; and a good model of how specialized organizations should structure with a focus on safe housing, among other services” (Walsh 2016). “Duluth, Minnesota has developed victim-centered domestic abuse interventions with untapped potential for serving victims of sex trafficking” (Walsh 2016). Whether extending upon current resources, or creating new ones, it is imperative that the state provide access to services for victims of all forms of abuse— whether it is domestic violence, prostitution, and trafficking.
Sex trafficking survivors experience a variety of health consequences after being trafficked. In the article, “Comprehensive Care Model for Sex Trafficking Survivors,” Naomi M. Twigg describes aftercare services for a domestic minor of sex trafficking (DMST) survivors provided by U.S. residential treatment centers and the roles that nurses have in DMST survivor’s lives.
Research has shown that for an array of aftercare services for sex trafficking victims…emphasized the need for sustainable medical and psychological support, education, and vocational training after exiting a trafficking situation” (Twigg 2017).

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

mechanism.
Seven core services have been identified to address the needs of sex trafficking survivors. These services “include necessities (e.g., food, water); secure, safe shelter and housing; physical health care; mental health care; legal and immigration advocacy; substance abuse services; and job and life skills training” (Twigg 2016). Each need has been placed in a category as immediate, ongoing, and long-term needs based on research conducted in 2011 at 14 U.S. residential treatment centers. Each treatment center provided services exclusively to DMST survivors, actively house DMST survivors, and provided services to males, females, and transgender services 11 years of age or older. Immediate needs included crisis safety services, crisis shelter services, and emergency medical care. These services are imperative to the rescue and recovery of DMST survivors, “I think when they walk in the door their