Every year, about 15,000 to 50,000 women and children are coerced into sexual exploitation. However, this number is only an estimate. The true number of these cases varies wildly, as many cases are left unreported.
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)‘s 2020 Global Report on Trafficking in Persons reports that two-thirds of human trafficking perpetrators were men. The UNODC also states that although many of these sex traffickers had criminal backgrounds, business owners, intimate partners, and family members were also contributors to the trafficking.
In this article, we will discuss:
- The risks and consequences of sex trafficking
- Laws against sex trafficking
- How to hold sex trafficking perpetrators accountable for their crimes
- The biggest perpetrators of sex trafficking
- How we can prevent sex trafficking
Risks and Consequences of Sex Trafficking
Victims of sex trafficking experience higher rates of physical violence and sexual abuse. But they are also more likely to experience torture, psychological abuse, poor living conditions, emotional abuse, and extreme deprivation of needs.
Due to this emotional, mental, and physical abuse, many victims of sex trafficking develop serious mental health concerns such as depression, anxiety, self-injurious behavior, substance abuse, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), to name a few.
These victims of physical violence may also sustain or develop neurological problems, chronic pain, sexually transmitted diseases, urogenital problems, broken bones, and traumatic brain injuries.
Laws Against Sex Trafficking in California
Under California Penal Code Section 236.1, a human trafficking offense is covered. This means that “any person who deprives or violates the personal liberty of another with the intent to obtain forced labor or services, is guilty of human trafficking and shall be punished by imprisonment”.
If caught, sex trafficking perpetrators may face prison time and a fine of up to $500,000.
In 2012, California citizens voted in favor of Proposition 35 — otherwise known as the Californians Against Sexual Exploitation Act — which established rigid regulations to combat human trafficking.
This legislation broadened the scope to include the distribution of child pornography and established more rigorous legal consequences for those found guilty of trafficking in humans, particularly involving minors. These punishments can include life imprisonment in a California state prison, as well as permanent registration as a sex offender.
Who Are the Biggest Perpetrators of Sex Trafficking?
Sex trafficking perpetrators can be of any nationality and come from all walks of life. It is a common misconception that traffickers are always men. In fact, there have been instances of female perpetrators engaging in sex trafficking activities.
Most people are aware that many victims of trafficking are controlled by a pimp. However, surprisingly these sex trafficking perpetrators may even be family members of sex trafficking victims. Perpetrators may also be the romantic partners of human trafficking victims.
Sex trafficking perpetrators can come from a variety of backgrounds, such as diplomats, legitimate business owners, as well as those running illicit operations, labor brokers, and more. There is no one-size-fits-all profile for traffickers.
How to Hold Sex Trafficking Perpetrators Accountable for Their Crimes
With these previously mentioned laws in place, sex trafficking perpetrators can be held accountable for their exploitation of victims.
You may report an anonymous tip to the National Human Trafficking Hotline by calling 1-888-373-7888. You can also call the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at 1-800-THE-LOST.
Human trafficking-related crimes are heinous, and sex trafficking victims deserve justice. Here at Women’s Rights Group, we help victims of trafficking get the help and support they need. We can help you hold these sex trafficking perpetrators responsible for their actions and recover the compensation you need and deserve.
The Women’s Rights Group helps victims of trafficking get the support they need and the compensation they deserve.
While filing a claim for compensation will not undo all the harm and trauma a victim of sex trafficking may have experienced, this can help them rebuild their lives. Holding these sex trafficking perpetrators accountable for their actions is also one way of helping sex trafficking victims heal from the trauma they have gone through.
How Can We Prevent Sex Trafficking?
Prevention of sex trafficking is possible. Certain individuals and organizations are making an effort to raise awareness about human trafficking in their communities and address cases of exploitation after they happen.
Here are some ways in which sex trafficking can be prevented, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Department of State:
- Promote healthy behaviors in relationships
- Learn the indicators of human trafficking
- Volunteer and support anti-trafficking efforts in your community
- Organize a fundraiser and donate the proceeds to an anti-trafficking organization
- Encourage your local schools or school district to include human trafficking in their curricula and to develop protocols for identifying and reporting a suspected case of human trafficking or responding to a potential victim.
- Parents and caregivers: Learn how human traffickers often target and recruit youth
- Youth: Learn how to recognize traffickers’ recruitment tactics
- Businesses: Provide jobs, internships, skills training, and other opportunities to trafficking survivors.
- And more
You Are Safe Here
If you or someone close to you has been the victim of sex trafficking, our organization is here to provide assistance. The Women’s Rights Group is a nationwide organization that supports those who have experienced sexual exploitation in commercial spaces. Our anti-trafficking services have successfully helped numerous individuals receive the compensation they deserve, allowing them to start anew with confidence and security.
Contact us today for a free, confidential consultation. Our team of experienced lawyers will assess your case and explain the legal options available to you. We are committed to fighting for you every step of the way so you get the justice you deserve.
